Ailette

For a river in France, see Ailette (river).

A knight of the middle 13th century. Over his shoulders, he has the ailette

The ailette (French language for little wing) was a component of thirteenth century knightly armour. Usually made of cuir bouilli (sometimes of plate or parchment), ailettes were thick, quadrangular pieces of leather or wood that attached to the shoulders by means of silk or leather cord. Ailettes were usually flat and nearly rectangular in shape, and usually decorated with heraldic designs.

Ailettes made brief appearances between 1290 and 1325 before giving way to more protective joint plates that covered the joint gap in the shoulders.

The purpose of ailettes is a matter of disagreement amongst scholars. Some, such as Charles ffoulkes, claim that they enhanced protection to the neck, while others, like Ewart Oakeshott, argue that they were used primarily for decorative and heraldic reasons.

External links

Arador Armor Library description of ailettes
Ailettes revisited a comparison of heraldic and defensive functions of ailettes
A brief assorted reference on ailettes and other plate armor

Components of medieval armour

Head	Armet Barbute Bascinet Burgonet Cervelliere Enclosed helmet Close helmet Great helm Frog mouth Hounskull Lobster tail pot Mail coif Morion Nasal helmet Sallet Spangenhelm Kettle hat

Face	Visor Falling buffe

Neck	Aventail Bevor Gorget Pixane

Torso	Breastplate Brigandine Cuirass Culet Pauncer Plackart Fauld Hauberk Codpiece Lance rest Coat of plates Jack of plate

Arms	Ailette Besagew Couter Gauntlet Pauldron Rerebrace Spaulder Vambrace

Legs	Bases Chausses Cuisses Greave Poleyn Sabaton Schynbald Tasset

Pieces	Gousset Lame Rondel

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