Chausses

Chausses, in the armour of the middle ages, from the 12th to the 16th century, were defence-pieces for the legs. Some were made of padded and quilted cloth, with metal studs; some of chain-mail; and some of riveted plates. It was not unusual to fasten them by lacing either below the knee or behind the leg. The word is used also in the general sense of hose, and when armour is meant in the Norman romances the phrase is chausses de fer.