Chain-mail, or CHAIN-ARMOUR, much used in Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries, and still used in India and the interior of the Asiatic continent, consists of hammered iron links, connected together by riveted links so that each link embraces four others, and worked into the form of a garment. Such armour was much more flexible and convenient to the wearer than that which was formed of steel or brass plates, but was less fitted to bear the thrust of a lance. See ARMOUR.