Letter 23

Marten

Roger D. Martin wrote:

Love the site so far. However I must disagree with you in part 2 about
carrying mail on poles because shirts are heavy. My research shows a
shirt weight in between 18 to 30 pounds. My shirts which are 14ga butted wire start around 28 pds to 42pds. The 42 pds shirt was for a friend who is aleast 380 pounds. Weight is the problem. Carrying it is. Best way to carry it is wear. On poles is second best if I would carry as many things as shown. The shirts are just a ball of mesh if you drop them.Thank you for your site,

Roger Martin.

Dear Roger,


Thank you for your comments on my Battle of Hastings 1066 web site.

I can only state the Bayeux Tapestry and the loadig of the ships that show the chainmail being carried onto the ships on poles. William was considered a giant of a man at 5 feet 10 inches tall. Average height was between 5 feet and 5 feet 6 inches in those days. We are also limited by very little surviving evidence to build on as far as body armour is concerned. Wearing it may possibly be the best solution but not when you are crossing the English Channel in an open boat.