Subarmalis in the literary sources

[Sean Manning]

There remains no doubt that an arming doublet had to be worn beneath armour and subarmalis remains a feasible (but certainly not proven) term for it, attested in the literary and sub-literary record. Why is this itch being scratched so vigorously? :neutral:

Mike Bishop

Hold on though. People who have worn lorica segmentata seem to feel that it is much more comfortable with an undergarment with padded shoulders, but you certainly don't need more than a heavy garment under mail. I don't, on the rare occasions I wear mail or scale. Its also possible that many mail shirts and plate cuirasses had integrated padding. There is no evidence for specialized arming garments in Latin Christendom or the Germanic world between De Rebus Bellicis and the early 12th century, and we have enough evidence towards the end of that period that this is unlikely to be an accident. The only pre-Roman evidence I know is the famous Gadal-Iama who wanted to be provided with a special garment as well as his armour, and the “thorakes kai spolades” passage in the Anabasis (if we read it as both to each; I don't).

I'm willing to accept subarmalis as a garment which was intended to be worn sub arma (or was descended from one such; the popularity of camoflage hats and BDU pants with those whose closest contact with nature and violence is the Discovery Channel is suggestive), but it isn't as certain as I thought it was. Then again, in this trade if we stick with what is certain we wouldn't have much to talk about ...