Pronunciation: [hˈɔːbəd͡ʒən] (IPA) 
Haubergeon is a medieval shirt of mail, also known as a chainmail. The spelling of this word is unusual, with the "au" combination creating an "oh" sound, and the "g" and "e" together forming a soft "j" sound. The IPA phonetic transcription for Haubergeon is /hɔːbərˈʒɒn/. This word is often used in the context of medieval reenactments or historical fiction, describing a piece of armor worn by knights and soldiers during battles.
A haubergeon is a noun that refers to a type of chainmail armor worn during the Middle Ages. It is specifically a smaller version of a hauberk, which covers the torso, shoulders, and upper arms. The haubergeon, however, is designed to cover only the upper body from the neck to the waist, with sometimes extending sleeves to cover the lower arms as well.
Constructed using hundreds or thousands of small metal rings, the haubergeon provides protection to the wearer by deflecting or absorbing the force of weapons such as swords, axes, and arrows. It was commonly worn by knights, soldiers, and warriors in various European cultures throughout the 11th to the 14th centuries.
The haubergeon was typically made by linking the rings together in a specific pattern known as the "four-in-one" weave. This configuration ensured flexibility, allowing the wearer to move relatively freely while still offering effective protection. It was often worn as an under-layer beneath other armor or padded garments and could be reinforced with additional layers or plates for enhanced defense.
Despite its smaller size compared to the hauberk, the haubergeon was an essential piece of armor that played a crucial role in Medieval warfare. It offered vital protection to vital areas of the upper body, including the vital organs, providing a significant advantage in battle.
The word "haubergeon" traces its etymology to the Old French term "hauberc", which initially referred to a mail shirt worn as armor during the medieval period. The root of this word can be traced back to the Frankish *halsberga, from *hals ("neck") and *bergan ("to protect"). Over time, the word "haubergeon" came to specifically denote a shorter, lighter version of the hauberk, which was a knee-length mail shirt.
