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Glite Dictionary
habergeon

habergeon

1 9.9
A short sleeveless jacket of metal rings worn under armor in the Middle Ages
  • noun
  • Archaic
: habergón
  • The knight wore a habergeon beneath his hauberk.

Examples

  • The knight wore a habergeon beneath his tunic for extra protection.

  • Medieval soldiers often relied on the habergeon as part of their defensive gear.

  • A finely crafted habergeon is on display at the local museum of arms.

  • Many soldiers used habergeons for added protection.

  • Medieval soldiers often relied on the habergeon as part of their defensive gear.

  • The knight wore a habergeon beneath his tunic for extra protection.

  • A finely crafted habergeon is on display at the local museum of arms.

Synonyms

byrnie
vshabergeon
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Long coat made of many small metal rings worn without sleeves for protection in battle

is a lighter sleeveless mail layer worn beneath heavier armor

Surface Forms

habergeon singular
habergeons plural

Etymology

Habergeon comes from the old word hauberk, which meant a 'coat of chain mail', plus the small ending -geon that gives the sense 'little'. So a habergeon is literally a 'little hauberk', which explains why it was a light, sleeveless mail coat worn under heavier armor.