Gambeson

A gambeson ispadded surcoat, usually worn underneath flexible metal or leather armour, such aschainmail shirt. The gambesonoften produced withsewing technique called quilting. The gambeson was vitalpreventing crushing damage, since even ifedge or point ofweapon was stopped byexterior armour,remaining impact could still splinter bonerupture internal organss. The gambeson distributedimpact overlarger area,absorbed some energy by deforming.

For soldiers who could nor affordharder, more expensive exterior armour,gambeon was oftenonly armour available. Asgambesonvery labour intensive inmaking, most common soldiers would haveproduce their own.

Quilted leather open jacketstrousers were worn by Scythian horsemen beforefourth century BCE, as can be seen on Scythian gold ornaments crafted by Greek goldsmiths. The European gambeson can at least be traced tolate 10th century, but itlikelyhave beenusevarious formslonger than that. Use ofgambeson declined duringrenaissance,by17th century,was no longermilitary use.

Several different patterns were used, andform ofgambeson varied throughoutmiddle ages andrenaissance due toever increasing percentage ofbody protected by rigid steel armour. Usually constructedlinen or wool,stuffing varied,could beexample scrap cloth or horse hair.