Aventail

This article is about the piece of medieval armor. For the network technology company, see Aventail Corporation.

File:Aventail.jpg

An early aventail guarded the wearer's head, neck, and chin between a mail shirt and a helmet.

An aventail or camail is a flexible curtain of chainmail on a helmet, that extends to cover the neck and shoulders. The mail could be attached to the helm by threading a leather cord through brass rings at the edge of the helm. Aventails were most commonly seen on bascinets in the 14th century and served as a replacement for a chainmail coif. Some aventails were decorated with edging in brass or bronze links, or dagged edges. By the late 15th century, the Aventail had replaced the chainmail coif completely. Only those who were poor or who were collectors of the sort had a chainmail coif.

Aventails were typically attached to the helmet via small staples known as vervelles.