hauberk

American  

[haw-burk] / ˈhɔ bɜrk /

noun

Armor.

1. a long defensive shirt, usually of mail, extending to the knees; byrnie.

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hauberk British  

/ ˈhɔːbɜːk /

noun

1. a long coat of mail, often sleeveless

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Etymology

Origin of hauberk

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French hauberc, earlier halberc < Frankish *halsberg, equivalent to *hals neck ( see hawse) + *berg protection ( see harbor); cognate with Old High German halsberc Old English healsbeorg, Old Norse halsbjǫrg

Explanation

A hauberk was part of the suit of armor worn by knights. Made of strong chain mail, a knight's hauberk helped protect the upper half of his body during a battle. Chain mail, which is basically metal fabric, was a relatively lightweight part of a medieval knight's armor. The word hauberk comes from the Frankish halsberg, "neck-cover," a small section of chain mail that protected only a knight's neck and shoulders. The hauberk expanded on this, covering more of the body from blows, sometimes extending from neck to knees.

Example Sentences

On tournament day, to the king’s great chagrin, Each one left his hauberk behind at the inn.

From Washington Post • Jul. 21, 2022

"I've been working on a chain-mail hauberk," he says, walking in the mountains above his parents' house.

From Time Magazine Archive

"This hauberk I wear is large for me, but it should fit Conn nicely, and the battle-axe I carry would suit Shagga's mighty hand far better than that wood-axe he holds."

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin

But lo! the mantle and hauberk were empty.

From "The Return of the King" by J.R.R. Tolkien

Horse and Hop-Robin fetched padding for the lord commander, along with a ringmail hauberk to go over it, and greaves, gorget, and halfhelm.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin