Gonna be honest, this one kind of feels like a medieval knight doing a TH-cam product review. "Hast thou ever concerned thyself o'er rising blows towards thy nethers in a foot melee? Mine blacksmith has claimed these Iron Pants shalt ease thy worries..."
"Chaucer's the name, selling's the game . . . 'Fong-proof' - the new name in mail undies - true protection from the old 'under & up! Thank you, I'm here all week." : )
I just want to thank you for not being rude when you talk about this. So many TH-camrs couldn't resist talking to a vast mixed crowd of faceless strangers without being as crass as the crassest teens with their mates, but you just talk about it like a normal person interacting with people you might not know. As a woman, I really appreciate the courtesy. I like to know about interesting parts of life like this without it being turned into something bawdy. You're able to use words like "codpiece" "groin" and even "ass" in comfortable amusement without being gross. THANK YOU! How fascinating that the mail briefs increased the comfort! I guess there's a degree of cushioning in the give & the layering of the mail, and the fact that it's fairly evenly distributed on your seat.
"Iron pants." I would never have guessed it, but it makes perfect sense. They were ingenious people. Another excellent episode. I look forward to every one of them.
I love the genuine expression of joy you show when you make such discoveries, especially when they defy your (and our) expectations. Wonderful video. Thank you.
I love the way you took us on this journey of discovery with you rather than experimenting first and presenting us with a polished conclusion. Feels more 'real' this way, and we can all share in the surprise result.
I can imagine little experiments like these could uncover hidden bits of history that didn't survive the test of time. As always, stellar work Mr. Kingsley!
As various sword tubers keep pointing out, folks back then weren’t stupid. I for one find it hard to imagine such maille undies were not extremely popular with those who could afford them. You just demonstrated their utility and comfort by the simple expedient of getting on a horse to see if they would work. Surely an educated experienced knight of the day would give it a go.
I think I’d have thongs permanently tied to the edges of the flap, for easier access when you had to relieve yourself. Having them on the flap would make it easier ti grab the flap and re-tie it
@@JHaven-lg7lj Yeah just a permanent point worked into the garment. Ironically, I think this maybe only became an issue in the later middle ages as plate became more common. I've got a mail hauberk and I'm getting chausses from circa 1250 and your groin has a layer just from the hauberk tending to hang low even when split for riding.
German Gothic armour was very often cavalry armour, and often they wore mail braes instead of skirts rather than in addition to them (so it is thought).
The late medieval 'gothic' stuff has visible maille under crackers in effigies and images, I always assumes the Milanese stuff, being significantly heavier was more for cavalry, and with that sort, we don't know what went on under the maille skirt as far as I'm aware.
I remember seeing a few sets of maximillian armor at the met museum in NYC with what looked to be chainmail boxers and codpieces. I don't know the correct terms or what they called them at the exhibit but I remember thinking both options looked more sensible than a mail skirt if you wanted to avoid getting unpleasantly upskirted by a long weapon or an enemy lying on the ground.
That's super cool that you found this and tried it and IT WORKED! Another notch in the column for "medieval people were smarter than we gave them credit for" and they made a bunch of stuff that we don't THINK would work, until we actually try it! Also, very sweet that you put Ghost in the credits as thanks for helping make the video :)
In the painting The battle of San Romano by Uccello , there is a fully armed figure lying on the ground face down ( National Gallery panel ). A close look reveals that he appears to be wearing a pair of Iron pants . Painting dates from 1438 -40 . I study Renaissance paintings but not usually the fundament area of figures , but it’s all fascinating…. 😊
I gather you make these videos as a hobby, but they really are some of the best content of this kind I have found online anywhere. Please keep making them, they are great.
My goodness! So impressive…I love learning about medieval life from someone who seemingly has been there… every time I see one of his videos it feels as if I’m stepping into a different day in time. He’s just so authentic. And that beautiful horse, Ghost… Ghost is simply regal, magnificent. 👏🏼 BRAVO BRAVO! 👏🏼
My son just asked me last night what knights did for the gaps in their armour - we've been going down the medieval rabbit hole and it's been very interesting
One last appreciative thought. I've never seen Ghost more beautiful. His carriage really showed of his stallion crest, even while rearing. He really is an astonishing horse.
Ghost thinks the iron pants are uncomfortable. Lol I'm shocked at your discovery. You say, "wearing iron pants while riding hard wooden saddle" and I think, "Most painful ride ever!" But that's not so! This actually answers a question I had sbout protecting those vulnerable spots, too. Great video! (Note to whoever did the sound: absolutely love the choral chanting! Quite beautiful.
ChatGPT recommended calling these military-grade intimates :) All joking aside, you struggling with the strings really made me appreciate modern attachment mechanisms - zippers, snaps etc. just make a world of difference. I imagine back then more than a few knights might have sustained an otherwise preventable injury when some corners were cut while prepping for battle (either at their own insistence, or due to laziness/negligence/exhaustion on the part of their squires)
Ghost is such a beauty! Always love these experimental videos where you take us along as you go. So interesting to try and figure out how people solved problems.
Riding on horseback with mail underpants and seeing if it’s uncomfortable/painful taking a test for all of mankind 😂 also another amazing and educational video and I like the backdrop too keep up the awesome work also the sound of moving in plate armour will never not be satisfying to me
Oh my GOODNESS Ghost is beautiful! 😊 As for the male mail knickers…Wearing such protection never entered my mind. But then, until I subscribed to this great channel, I honestly never had much interest in medieval life. You’ve certainly changed that! Thank you for another great episode! 🌹 Give Ghost an apple from me. 😉🍎
Thanks Jason for new video. Its been a long time but that does not matter. You discribe medieval life so extensively! Hope you have a good day and all the horses are all right ❤
What was that beautiful music at the end? I was stunned when it started - not at all what I expected to hear. As indeed was the video. Thanks for a fascinating account.
Protection of the voonerables. A very important and under-researched issue! (And another very enjoyable film. Lovely to see the flowering trees around the estate.)
This man is responsible for some of my favourite childhood games. Now I’m once again being entertained by him as a gown ass man on TH-cam, so crazy. Brilliant.
@@ModernKnight Do you know coincidentally about Medieval Horsebread? Do you know coincidentally if its healthy or good for horses ? I have heard and read about it!
@@killerkraut9179 I‘m not going to lie, I had to google horsebread, to know what you were talking about. So I‘m not going to presume to talk about the particulars of the bread itself, as you probably know more about the ingredients and such that I do from that short search. However generally speaking about feeding horses bread-like substances: commonly only thoroughly dried and hard bread is fed to horses. This avoids mold to form. You could, I guess, also soak it in water right before feeding, to give it some elasticity and avoid any bloating or dehydration of the horse that might come with feeding it large amounts of bread. But then you would have to be careful not to soak it too long, so that it doesn’t go bad then. Today feeding bread is usually done as either a snack or because getting the old and unsold bread from bakers is cheaper than investing in grain. I‘m not sure how much of that was applicable to the medieval ages, where the cost of milling the grain down to flour and then to bake it potentially made even old and hard bread more expensive than straight grain. But this really is just something that came to mind.
@@alexk7973 I have it from the Book ,Der Deutschorden von Akkon Bis zum Baltikum .Die Armee 1198-1420 Author Rolf Fuhrmann Terrible Translation on journeys the horses also received a kind of coarse horse bread And the channel Tasting History Video about How to Make a MEDIEVAL TRENCHER - Torte Bread. horse Bread was mentioned !
Really interesting and a surprising result. I always enjoy your videos. You know how various knights were given nicknames such as 'Fergant' meaning 'Iron glove' You can now add 'Sir Jason Ironpants' whatever the French is for that!
@@minerwaweasley1008 Good captions do not write themselves, and computer generated ones are too inaccurate to be of much use to me, because they’re just distracting instead of clarifying.
@@minerwaweasley1008 If you think good captions write themselves, try watching a speech-heavy video without sound, using only automatically generated captions.
@@ragnkja Good subtitles - of course no. Just like Google Translate will not give you a good translation. But for someone who reads English better than hears it, it is absolutely sufficient.
OK, anyone else spend this whole thing thinking about the Terry Pratchett book 'Unseen Academicals' and the new dwarf invention of micromail, with the selling point of 'It does not chafe?'
Jason, you are by far my favourite history/medieval youtube guy. Always informational and enthusiastic. And you even get bonus points because even my girlfriend gets interested in medieval stuff just because of your horses :) *how's Ghost doing btw?
Always great to seeyou post, especially this experimental archaeology. I have to say I first found you through that medieval food series, so when that Matpat "medieval food sucked" video popped up, part of me wanted a reaction to that from you as well.
Wow I needed that! Just ran into an insurmountable research block. And now have stopped feeling sorry for myself. Learning with laughter is just great!
Padding makes sense to me, especially if you're doing active horseriding, or long distances. You NEED a comfy saddle with extra padding if you're going to cover hundreds of miles in a day on a motorbike, especially on bumpy roads. I guess that'd stand up for horse riding as well. I guess the chain mail is armour against the hard medieval saddle, as well. The core of it, really, is that you're not going to fight effectively if you're more focused on how sore and pinched your gentleman's area is.
Also a lot of cavalry saddles from a time when there still were cavalry saddles weren‘t padded much and they are also meant for long distance riding. Then again, the riders didn‘t buy the equipment themselves in those days and the military didn‘t care that much about the rider‘s bum-comfort I guess. In medieval times when a knight was responsible for sourcing his own equipment I guess he would have been more attentive to his comforts.
Glad you wore them over your pants not under.😆 When I read the title I had a hard time imagining how it could possibly be comfortable, but wearing them on the outside instead of inside makes the world of difference.
I can picture the maille acting as thousands of tiny rockers. The ring edges touching the wood tree would probably sink in slightly, and then the entire surface would simply shift as one. It would also probably improve air flow to the area, which is very important to minimize chafing due to prolonged damp and pressure on sensitive areas. The more I think about the iron pants, the more sense they make! I wonder if they weren't written about because they were so ubiquitous and widely understood to be utterly essential that no one thought they would ever need to explain them! Edit: I wonder if they might have been economical to produce, at least occassionally, by utilizing pieces from larger maille garments which had been damaged beyond the point of full repair.
I could imagine the mail underpants provide more grip as they "grip" into the leather of the saddle and the fabric or your trousers and sort of secure your seat in the saddle. Less moving about so to say. A bit like the artificially added extra grip that the silicone seats of modern breeches provide.
beautiful dive into my favourite age period.. you, sir, are amazing. ghost is wonderful and got a lot of spirit, great horse. you are a medieval knight incarnate :)
YOU got me interested as soon as I saw the title ! but seriously ....any armour is sexy . al;though i would personally love to see you inside a suit of armour that TOTALLY encases you , with a codpiece added too.
Do you plan to replace the doublet before or after it starts developing it's own ecosystem? It's really impressive how well and for how long that thing has been holding up.
I hope you were able to enjoy the pie (from Saturday's post) after this chainmail try out. I cringed and winced at the thought of your test run, and now admire your bravery all the more, Sir Knight. So glad for you that this bit of mail worked as designed.
I mean with the benefit the hindsight, it makes sense that they were more comfortable, because part of the job of any mail/armour/protection is to spread the force of impact over a larger area of your body.
I've been missing your videos, but talk about a triumphant return. Love to Ghost. He has such a graceful curve to his neck. It's easy to imagine him off on some epic quest.
I love your practical, hands-on approach when testing these things. Really helps you understand things when you follow along rather than just being told what works and what doesn't for example. Also seeing you interact with the horses always makes me happy.
Of course, we enjoyed seeing you! It’s been a bit of time since you appeared to educate us about medieval horses and armour and life. I can’t help but ask about the mule with no name. I think it’s been three years since the first video. I can’t believe you have left the poor animal without a name for this amount of time. Please let us know. We enjoy all your videos. And our only complaint is we would like them longer and more often. Thank you so much. And have a lovely day.
Yes! Thank you! Fascinating and definitely important. The thing which i appreciate most is the type and amount of protection. Yes. This makes sense and yes the additional benefits are important too.
😂I simply could not ignore this notification for the simple fact that I have wondered what the ppl of these times wore for undergarments in battle before they had jock straps etc etc 😂😂 that and well face it that's quite the hilarious train of thought😂
I've thought about that weakness with the mail skirt, and recall certain stories of people fighting on bridges and ending... poorly when somebody came underneath (not that you need to do that to get that shot). Very cool to see how they addressed that, thank you!
How very interesting! I saw Henry VIII’s suit of armor at Windsor and it was absolutely beautiful- silver with gold embellishments- but the codpiece made me blush. Perhaps it was of such a size as to accommodate chain mail panties? Probably it did inflate Henry’s ego a bit, too! 😂 Ghost is looking lovely, as always.
Much of the,uh, ornateness of codpieces was social posturing of course, but there’s some evidence they were necessitated by the spread of syphilis making tactile sensations painful.
It's very important for people to remember that these chainmail underpants, like the "chainmail bikini" of fantasy novels, need to be LINED with something. Some sort of fabric or leather placed between your skin (including your hairs) and the chainmail. Men in the SCA (medieval society) who wear chainmail hauberks have constantly complained of "armor bites" and "bald patches" from the mail rings pinching & uprooting hairs from their follicles. Chainmail underpants would certainly bind and pinch delicate bits & bobbles if there wasn't a lining in the way to take the abuse instead! Also, it's comfortable for two reasons: one, it is lined (he's wearing woolen pants/hose at the very least), which provides some protection from abasions & pinches; and two, the chain links flex and shift with each movement of wearer & steed, so they do technically provide a bit of cushioning from all that flexing!
Always love the content of your videos exploring areas of history, especially the uncomfortable topics that the other channels don't or rarely touch, especially with your resources.
We all appreciate you risking your health and well-being by experimenting like this. :) Though initially it seems counter-intuitive that those would be more comfortable in the saddle, since armor helps diffuse the force of an attack it would follow that it also helps to diffuse your weight across the saddle.
Gonna be honest, this one kind of feels like a medieval knight doing a TH-cam product review. "Hast thou ever concerned thyself o'er rising blows towards thy nethers in a foot melee? Mine blacksmith has claimed these Iron Pants shalt ease thy worries..."
😂😂🤣🤣
"Chaucer's the name, selling's the game . . . 'Fong-proof' - the new name in mail undies - true protection from the old 'under & up! Thank you, I'm here all week." : )
@@loddude5706 Chaucer, thou drastie knave! Thou knowst right welle that Master Eadward 'Uppe and Under' Wearinge devised this garment before thee.
@@simong9067 - Avast . . . I am undone! : )
Love it.
I choose to believe that the choir at the end is singing a specially commissioned Latin prayer about iron pants.
😂😂😂
The horse giving the sideways eyeball is priceless.😆
At what time?
yeah that was funny you could tell he was up to no good
@@tyree9055 7:32
@@internetguy2760 Thanks!
Horses can sort of only ever give side eye.
If anyone was wondering how much Jason uses his kit, the state of his doublet is pretty telling.
“Learn to fear the warrior who’s doublet looks like a rag found underneath a redditer’s bed.” - Me, I said that just now.
If you didn't use you wouldn't know if it worked.
That thing looks like it was dragged behind a horse all the way from England to the Holy Land.
@@RoberttheWise...and back to England too.
Always happy to see a Modern History pop up with a new addition 🎉
Here here... I concur... Lol
😆 this was 100% funnier than i thought it would be
and then the horse side-eyeing you 🤣
I just want to thank you for not being rude when you talk about this. So many TH-camrs couldn't resist talking to a vast mixed crowd of faceless strangers without being as crass as the crassest teens with their mates, but you just talk about it like a normal person interacting with people you might not know. As a woman, I really appreciate the courtesy. I like to know about interesting parts of life like this without it being turned into something bawdy. You're able to use words like "codpiece" "groin" and even "ass" in comfortable amusement without being gross. THANK YOU!
How fascinating that the mail briefs increased the comfort! I guess there's a degree of cushioning in the give & the layering of the mail, and the fact that it's fairly evenly distributed on your seat.
"Undercrackers". It doesn't get any better than that...
@@gscasale7772 😂
That’s quite “ballsy” of you to try it out on a horse.
I love your horses Jason. You very obviously have a great relationship with them ❤️
"Iron pants." I would never have guessed it, but it makes perfect sense. They were ingenious people. Another excellent episode. I look forward to every one of them.
I love the genuine expression of joy you show when you make such discoveries, especially when they defy your (and our) expectations. Wonderful video.
Thank you.
Thanks for watching!
07:08 love the look in Ghost's eye when Jason starts talking about "chafing". That horse has excellent comic timing 😂
Undercrackers. New word for our repertoire
That pony looks like he's seen things... terrifying things that he can't unsee...
I love the way you took us on this journey of discovery with you rather than experimenting first and presenting us with a polished conclusion. Feels more 'real' this way, and we can all share in the surprise result.
I can imagine little experiments like these could uncover hidden bits of history that didn't survive the test of time.
As always, stellar work Mr. Kingsley!
As various sword tubers keep pointing out, folks back then weren’t stupid. I for one find it hard to imagine such maille undies were not extremely popular with those who could afford them. You just demonstrated their utility and comfort by the simple expedient of getting on a horse to see if they would work. Surely an educated experienced knight of the day would give it a go.
And you have to imagine that any discomfort would be nulled by extra padding on the breeches beneath. Anything to protect the "crown's jewels"!
I think I’d have thongs permanently tied to the edges of the flap, for easier access when you had to relieve yourself. Having them on the flap would make it easier ti grab the flap and re-tie it
Also, undies could be adjusted accordingly. Reference the hilarious silicone taint pads integrated into modern bike shorts.
@@JHaven-lg7lj Yeah just a permanent point worked into the garment. Ironically, I think this maybe only became an issue in the later middle ages as plate became more common. I've got a mail hauberk and I'm getting chausses from circa 1250 and your groin has a layer just from the hauberk tending to hang low even when split for riding.
2:30 “An area at which I recommend that you never get stabbed in.” Well said, Sir!
Yup, and getting slammed there with a mace or warhammer would suck just as bad, lol.
German Gothic armour was very often cavalry armour, and often they wore mail braes instead of skirts rather than in addition to them (so it is thought).
The late medieval 'gothic' stuff has visible maille under crackers in effigies and images, I always assumes the Milanese stuff, being significantly heavier was more for cavalry, and with that sort, we don't know what went on under the maille skirt as far as I'm aware.
I remember seeing a few sets of maximillian armor at the met museum in NYC with what looked to be chainmail boxers and codpieces. I don't know the correct terms or what they called them at the exhibit but I remember thinking both options looked more sensible than a mail skirt if you wanted to avoid getting unpleasantly upskirted by a long weapon or an enemy lying on the ground.
Oi Govnah
That's super cool that you found this and tried it and IT WORKED! Another notch in the column for "medieval people were smarter than we gave them credit for" and they made a bunch of stuff that we don't THINK would work, until we actually try it! Also, very sweet that you put Ghost in the credits as thanks for helping make the video :)
In the painting The battle of San Romano by Uccello , there is a fully armed figure lying on the ground face down ( National Gallery panel ). A close look reveals that he appears to be wearing a pair of Iron pants . Painting dates from 1438 -40 . I study Renaissance paintings but not usually the fundament area of figures , but it’s all fascinating…. 😊
It honestly looks like a simple mail ‘skirt’ to me
The mail curves under between the legs , but you do need magnification to see it .
I gather you make these videos as a hobby, but they really are some of the best content of this kind I have found online anywhere. Please keep making them, they are great.
I make them whenever I have the time, thanks for watching and commenting though. It helps the algorithm and we are at the mercy of the system!
I agree! The way Mr. Kingsley tests the many materials and aspects of Medieval life brings to life so many details.
My goodness! So impressive…I love learning about medieval life from someone who seemingly has been there… every time I see one of his videos it feels as if I’m stepping into a different day in time. He’s just so authentic. And that beautiful horse, Ghost… Ghost is simply regal, magnificent. 👏🏼 BRAVO BRAVO! 👏🏼
My son just asked me last night what knights did for the gaps in their armour - we've been going down the medieval rabbit hole and it's been very interesting
One last appreciative thought. I've never seen Ghost more beautiful. His carriage really showed of his stallion crest, even while rearing. He really is an astonishing horse.
Ghost thinks the iron pants are uncomfortable. Lol
I'm shocked at your discovery. You say, "wearing iron pants while riding hard wooden saddle" and I think, "Most painful ride ever!" But that's not so! This actually answers a question I had sbout protecting those vulnerable spots, too. Great video!
(Note to whoever did the sound: absolutely love the choral chanting! Quite beautiful.
ChatGPT recommended calling these military-grade intimates :)
All joking aside, you struggling with the strings really made me appreciate modern attachment mechanisms - zippers, snaps etc. just make a world of difference. I imagine back then more than a few knights might have sustained an otherwise preventable injury when some corners were cut while prepping for battle (either at their own insistence, or due to laziness/negligence/exhaustion on the part of their squires)
From the way the way they fasten, I would suggest they are more like a mail nappy - the sort you would fasten with safety pins. 🤓
Ghost is such a beauty!
Always love these experimental videos where you take us along as you go. So interesting to try and figure out how people solved problems.
Riding on horseback with mail underpants and seeing if it’s uncomfortable/painful taking a test for all of mankind 😂 also another amazing and educational video and I like the backdrop too keep up the awesome work also the sound of moving in plate armour will never not be satisfying to me
Oh my GOODNESS Ghost is beautiful! 😊 As for the male mail knickers…Wearing such protection never entered my mind. But then, until I subscribed to this great channel, I honestly never had much interest in medieval life. You’ve certainly changed that! Thank you for another great episode! 🌹 Give Ghost an apple from me. 😉🍎
Thanks Jason for new video. Its been a long time but that does not matter. You discribe medieval life so extensively! Hope you have a good day and all the horses are all right ❤
Quality is worth waiting for. It's nice that he doesn't slap up junk for views.
@@misterhat5823 Exactly that! Quality over quantity.
What was that beautiful music at the end? I was stunned when it started - not at all what I expected to hear. As indeed was the video. Thanks for a fascinating account.
I appreciate that you gave special credit to Ghost. You always seem to treat your horses (and mule) with a lot of respect.
Protection of the voonerables. A very important and under-researched issue! (And another very enjoyable film. Lovely to see the flowering trees around the estate.)
This man is responsible for some of my favourite childhood games. Now I’m once again being entertained by him as a gown ass man on TH-cam, so crazy. Brilliant.
Lanced in the groin 😅 ooooohf.
That grin in the beginning, though 😅
Ghost is a truly beautiful animal, you must feel proud to own such a handsome horse
I do appreciate him every day.
@@ModernKnight Do you know coincidentally about Medieval Horsebread?
Do you know coincidentally if its healthy or good for horses ?
I have heard and read about it!
@@killerkraut9179 I‘m not going to lie, I had to google horsebread, to know what you were talking about. So I‘m not going to presume to talk about the particulars of the bread itself, as you probably know more about the ingredients and such that I do from that short search. However generally speaking about feeding horses bread-like substances: commonly only thoroughly dried and hard bread is fed to horses. This avoids mold to form. You could, I guess, also soak it in water right before feeding, to give it some elasticity and avoid any bloating or dehydration of the horse that might come with feeding it large amounts of bread. But then you would have to be careful not to soak it too long, so that it doesn’t go bad then.
Today feeding bread is usually done as either a snack or because getting the old and unsold bread from bakers is cheaper than investing in grain. I‘m not sure how much of that was applicable to the medieval ages, where the cost of milling the grain down to flour and then to bake it potentially made even old and hard bread more expensive than straight grain. But this really is just something that came to mind.
@@alexk7973 I have it from the Book ,Der Deutschorden von Akkon Bis zum Baltikum .Die Armee 1198-1420 Author Rolf Fuhrmann
Terrible Translation
on journeys the horses also received a kind of coarse horse bread
And the channel Tasting History Video about How to Make a MEDIEVAL TRENCHER - Torte Bread. horse Bread was mentioned !
My goodness. I never imagined such a thing. They make sense and are creative. Thank you for this.
Rides out as a Bass singer comes back as a countertenor 🎵🎶
Really interesting and a surprising result. I always enjoy your videos. You know how various knights were given nicknames such as 'Fergant' meaning 'Iron glove' You can now add 'Sir Jason Ironpants' whatever the French is for that!
Excellent review and actual operation of the equipment in question.
Hurrah! New video! For now without subtitles, but let's wait :) Thank you!
Proper closed captioning would indeed be welcome.
@@ragnkja They will, they will. You have to wait a while, it does itself.
@@minerwaweasley1008
Good captions do not write themselves, and computer generated ones are too inaccurate to be of much use to me, because they’re just distracting instead of clarifying.
@@minerwaweasley1008
If you think good captions write themselves, try watching a speech-heavy video without sound, using only automatically generated captions.
@@ragnkja Good subtitles - of course no. Just like Google Translate will not give you a good translation. But for someone who reads English better than hears it, it is absolutely sufficient.
OK, anyone else spend this whole thing thinking about the Terry Pratchett book 'Unseen Academicals' and the new dwarf invention of micromail, with the selling point of 'It does not chafe?'
YES!!! ❤
YES! I was actually looking for a comment like this! I keep thinking, "It doth not chafe!"
I did not realize those even existed:) Learning something new - thank you, Sir!!!
this type of mail was invented in a little place called Nether Wallop, true fact
Ballroom with it's own postcode eh? - only in England . . . : )
Jason, you are by far my favourite history/medieval youtube guy. Always informational and enthusiastic. And you even get bonus points because even my girlfriend gets interested in medieval stuff just because of your horses :) *how's Ghost doing btw?
That was a fantastic video, And I must say your horse Ghost is strikingly beautiful.
Always great to seeyou post, especially this experimental archaeology.
I have to say I first found you through that medieval food series, so when that Matpat "medieval food sucked" video popped up, part of me wanted a reaction to that from you as well.
Wow I needed that! Just ran into an insurmountable research block. And now have stopped feeling sorry for myself. Learning with laughter is just great!
Padding makes sense to me, especially if you're doing active horseriding, or long distances.
You NEED a comfy saddle with extra padding if you're going to cover hundreds of miles in a day on a motorbike, especially on bumpy roads. I guess that'd stand up for horse riding as well.
I guess the chain mail is armour against the hard medieval saddle, as well.
The core of it, really, is that you're not going to fight effectively if you're more focused on how sore and pinched your gentleman's area is.
Counterpoint: Western saddles do not usually have (a lot of) padding, and those were meant to be sat in all day (although mostly at a walk).
Also a lot of cavalry saddles from a time when there still were cavalry saddles weren‘t padded much and they are also meant for long distance riding. Then again, the riders didn‘t buy the equipment themselves in those days and the military didn‘t care that much about the rider‘s bum-comfort I guess. In medieval times when a knight was responsible for sourcing his own equipment I guess he would have been more attentive to his comforts.
Glad you wore them over your pants not under.😆
When I read the title I had a hard time imagining how it could possibly be comfortable, but wearing them on the outside instead of inside makes the world of difference.
7:07 Ghosts looks directly into the camera.
When you need extra protection from the maidens.
'chastitymail'
I can picture the maille acting as thousands of tiny rockers. The ring edges touching the wood tree would probably sink in slightly, and then the entire surface would simply shift as one. It would also probably improve air flow to the area, which is very important to minimize chafing due to prolonged damp and pressure on sensitive areas. The more I think about the iron pants, the more sense they make! I wonder if they weren't written about because they were so ubiquitous and widely understood to be utterly essential that no one thought they would ever need to explain them!
Edit: I wonder if they might have been economical to produce, at least occassionally, by utilizing pieces from larger maille garments which had been damaged beyond the point of full repair.
👍
Ghost is looking fantastic. Very surprised that the pants were comfortable
I could imagine the mail underpants provide more grip as they "grip" into the leather of the saddle and the fabric or your trousers and sort of secure your seat in the saddle. Less moving about so to say. A bit like the artificially added extra grip that the silicone seats of modern breeches provide.
But it could also damage the saddle faster if used without a piece of cloth between the two.
beautiful dive into my favourite age period.. you, sir, are amazing. ghost is wonderful and got a lot of spirit, great horse. you are a medieval knight incarnate :)
Thanks.
YOU got me interested as soon as I saw the title !
but seriously ....any armour is sexy . al;though i would personally love to see you inside a suit of armour that TOTALLY encases you , with a codpiece added too.
Do you plan to replace the doublet before or after it starts developing it's own ecosystem?
It's really impressive how well and for how long that thing has been holding up.
You say that like you think it hasn't already developed its own ecosystem? I just hope he retires it before it evolves sentience...
Is this the second doublet? Or is he wearing his old one in this video?
This doublet will one day fall off you by itself and travel on its own in an unknown direction. Are you sure you don't need a squire with a needle?
You are a great inspiration for me for medieval content! Thank you for continuous stories! All the best!
I hope you were able to enjoy the pie (from Saturday's post) after this chainmail try out. I cringed and winced at the thought of your test run, and now admire your bravery all the more, Sir Knight. So glad for you that this bit of mail worked as designed.
The videography of Ghost and you outdoors was amazing! What a handsome animal he is! Thanks for sharing! 🥰
The horse looking back at this fancy, well protected knight, is just priceless...
Cheers, Bunti
These are the questions that need to be asked!!!
I'm having a hard time seeing your videos, I will rewatch them again after cataract surgery. I find them fascinating.
10:11 you need iron pants when you vie for the Iron Throne
Indeed such protections for the privates.
Balls
I mean with the benefit the hindsight, it makes sense that they were more comfortable, because part of the job of any mail/armour/protection is to spread the force of impact over a larger area of your body.
Beautiful shot with the horse in the field.
Even with them on the outside, I still wouldn't have worn those. You are a braver man than I
Thank you again, for being humble, funny and joyful 😊
I've been missing your videos, but talk about a triumphant return. Love to Ghost. He has such a graceful curve to his neck. It's easy to imagine him off on some epic quest.
I love your practical, hands-on approach when testing these things. Really helps you understand things when you follow along rather than just being told what works and what doesn't for example. Also seeing you interact with the horses always makes me happy.
Of course, we enjoyed seeing you! It’s been a bit of time since you appeared to educate us about medieval horses and armour and life.
I can’t help but ask about the mule with no name. I think it’s been three years since the first video. I can’t believe you have left the poor animal without a name for this amount of time.
Please let us know. We enjoy all your videos. And our only complaint is we would like them longer and more often.
Thank you so much. And have a lovely day.
Just one for the algorithm, with a slight add on to mention that I find your horse to be absolutly magnificent, a true beauty!
How very interesting to learn about these Medieval wonder-pants! You really DO test your mettle, don’t you, Jason! Bravo! 😊
Yes! Thank you! Fascinating and definitely important. The thing which i appreciate most is the type and amount of protection. Yes. This makes sense and yes the additional benefits are important too.
I love to see these practical tests, especially of things we layfolk would never have thought of!
Cool, this is the kind of down to earth experimental archeology we need👍
Thanks for going the extra mile and taking these risks.
😂I simply could not ignore this notification for the simple fact that I have wondered what the ppl of these times wore for undergarments in battle before they had jock straps etc etc 😂😂 that and well face it that's quite the hilarious train of thought😂
I've thought about that weakness with the mail skirt, and recall certain stories of people fighting on bridges and ending... poorly when somebody came underneath (not that you need to do that to get that shot). Very cool to see how they addressed that, thank you!
How very interesting! I saw Henry VIII’s suit of armor at Windsor and it was absolutely beautiful- silver with gold embellishments- but the codpiece made me blush. Perhaps it was of such a size as to accommodate chain mail panties? Probably it did inflate Henry’s ego a bit, too! 😂 Ghost is looking lovely, as always.
Codpieces were definitely exaggerated!
Much of the,uh, ornateness of codpieces was social posturing of course, but there’s some evidence they were necessitated by the spread of syphilis making tactile sensations painful.
You’re a brave man. Ready to risk great pain for knowledge and our entertainment.
Jason: "What's this piece of mail armor for, and what does it protect?"
Me, right away: "It's the balls isn't it?"
Great video and glad they were more comfortable than you expected.
This guy needs to be interviewed by Philomena Cunk.
So beautifully dramatic. And we see how windy it was that day! It is good the iron pants work to protect a knight. .
It's very important for people to remember that these chainmail underpants, like the "chainmail bikini" of fantasy novels, need to be LINED with something. Some sort of fabric or leather placed between your skin (including your hairs) and the chainmail. Men in the SCA (medieval society) who wear chainmail hauberks have constantly complained of "armor bites" and "bald patches" from the mail rings pinching & uprooting hairs from their follicles. Chainmail underpants would certainly bind and pinch delicate bits & bobbles if there wasn't a lining in the way to take the abuse instead!
Also, it's comfortable for two reasons: one, it is lined (he's wearing woolen pants/hose at the very least), which provides some protection from abasions & pinches; and two, the chain links flex and shift with each movement of wearer & steed, so they do technically provide a bit of cushioning from all that flexing!
The video I didn't know I needed but am so happy I was able to watch!
Always love the content of your videos exploring areas of history, especially the uncomfortable topics that the other channels don't or rarely touch, especially with your resources.
Poor Ghost the horse looks like its having ancestral flashbacks of battle 😅
Yessss. A new video! This is a good day indeed! 😊
We all appreciate you risking your health and well-being by experimenting like this. :)
Though initially it seems counter-intuitive that those would be more comfortable in the saddle, since armor helps diffuse the force of an attack it would follow that it also helps to diffuse your weight across the saddle.
I was thoroughly enchanted by the myriad ways you found of euphemistically and delicately referring to...a certain anatomical region.
The amount of words used to suggest, but not actually mention the intended things is quite funny.
Fascinating topic, obviously important to protect oneself, but as stated rarely discussed. How interesting that they made the saddle more bearable.
A beautiful horse. Never seen one with blue eyes before!
That is one beautiful horse you have there. So unique looking he is.😊