[James C. Whitley]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I'm sorry that, for my first post, I have to ask yet another question about maille; but I have searched the forums, and could find no answer to my question. I am hopeful that at least one of you will deign to answer it.

About how much noise does a coat of maille make? For argument's sake, let's say a knee-length, three-quarter sleeve, 4-in-1, riveted-mail hauberk. Does wearing a gambeson underneath it help? How about a surcoat over it? Obviously I'm not looking for scientific data here, but some feedback from those who have walked, rode, and fought in it would be most appreciated.

Yours very truly,
James Whitley

[Gabriele A. Pini]

Hello James and happy New Year!

I have a knee long hauberk and the noise is for the majority given from the flaps of the legs when I walk: they hit my knees and jingle like bells. For the rest the mail is much less noisy than a plate armor: when you walk at a sedate pace or do some other normal activities the links tend to stay in place under they own weight.

I think that if I can found a system to block the flaps the mail can be very quiet (with the arms I don't have the same problem: the integrated gauntlets block the mail).