From the seal of John de Warenne, c1329.
The balls at the corners may be bells
or pearls. Tassels are also depicted on the corners.
AILETTES
Lord Ernst der Dunkelwolf
Ailettes are a form of shoulder covering which are mostly heraldic in purpose, but also serve a minor role as armor. They seem to have first come into use around 1260 in France. Their use spread throughout Western Europe and reached its zenith in the first quarter of the fourteenth century. By 1350, they were finally abandoned in France. Ailettes (little wings) probably derive their name from the flapping motion they make when their wearer runs.
Manuscripts and effigies show that most ailettes were rectangular. Some have concave sides producing four-pointed "stars." Other shoulder defences of simple round plates, roundels, similar to those in use on elbows and knees also appear during this time frame. If the round plate serves an heraldic function, it is an ailette. If it is purely defensive, it might better be called a spaulder. Often the owner's full arms are depicted on the ailette, but sometimes only the main charge is depicted.
Although there are no surviving ailettes, literary sources describe their construction. Most had a base of leather or parchment covered with embroidered silk. Laces were usually made of a strong cord. Pictorial sources usually show some sort of edging. Sometimes small bells were sewn to the corners. Reconstructing ailettes is a fairly simple procedure.
First, cut 2 rectangles measuring about 7" x 10" from a piece of 8-9 oz. leather. Next, cut two strips measuring about 1" x 2 1/2". Punch two holes in the 2 large rectangles; one hole in the center, and the second one 1 1/2" above it. Next punch two holes in each strip; each one 1 1/2" from each end. Rivet the strips to the grain side of the leather. The strips will bulge to form arches for lacing. Now cut two rectangles of fabric measuring 8" x 11". These may be painted, embroidered, or appliqued with your arms or badge. Glue the fabric to the flesh side of the leather. Make sure the top of your arms is on the top of the ailette (the end nearest the strip). Wrap the excess fabric around the edges and glue them down on the back. Finally, lace the ailettes to the points of your shoulder by running two shoelaces through the arched strips and the links of your mail hauberk. (Did I fail to mention you must wear a hauberk to lace these?) Have someone tie the bows in the back. Voila, ailettes.
From the seal of John de Warenne, c1329.
The balls at the corners may be bells
or pearls. Tassels are also depicted on the corners.
