Does any one know more about this effigy? Is there some kind of cover over chainmail or is there something else going on?

http://effigiesandbrasses.com/monuments/steph.../original/

Hi,
we can see more pictures of this effigy here : http://www.churchmonumentssociety.org/Devon_3.html
but hard to say wether it's mail or not :confused:

If you look at the detail picture on that page it says... "Bottom Right: Detail of right arms of the above, showing the remains of the gesso surface stampted to indicate mail. A common technique which is usually not seen as the gesso flakes off with time." And sure enough if you enlarge it you can see clearly on what is left of the gesso painted on mail. But what I then do not understand is the pattern on top of it. Did they paint patterns on mail or was it just an artistic invention? Also on his hands its looks like he has plates over his fingers but also painted with the same pattern.

yes, I agree but could it had been painted back at a later period ...say, XVIth century according to the pattern?

So at some later date after it was made they decided to add the decoration to it. That sounds like it could be possible.