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arranged as sąuares and some as horizontal lines at the neck, the latter also seen on mailcoats worn by the English. The exact function of such features are unknown. They are rarely seen outside the Bayeux Tapestry, only appearing on a few other contempor-ary illustrations. One theory is that they represent a loose flap of mail hanging down prior to being tied up over the throat and chin. This, the ventail, is certainly mentioned in the Song of Roland of about noo. Moreover, just such a sąuare is shown in the open and closed position on a mid i2th-century sculpted Capital at Clermont Ferrand, France. A few figures on the Bayeux Tapestry do appear to have a flap drawn up in a similar manner to that on the Capital. FIowever, we are left to wonder whether those with only a single horizontal strap at the throat are supposed to have such a flap closed or whether they simply echo the edging straps which appear on many mailcoats on the tapestry. Again, the scene of hauberks being carried, together with some of the other sources, illustrate no mail hood to which such a flap would be tied, unless it is implied that it is hanging down loose at the rear. An alternative idea is that the sąuare represents a loose mail flap tied over a vertical slit at the neck opening, which can be seen on other illustrations of such coats and was common on

The Bayeux Tapestry was probably worked within 20 years of the Battle of Hastings. Here Count Guy ofPonthieu appears to wear a sleeveless coat of scalę armour when receiving Duke William ’s messengers. (Bayeux Tapestry. With special permission of the town of Bayeux)

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