Chainmail consists of small metal rings linked together to create a flexible, protective garment. It is typically made from iron or steel and can cover the entire body or just parts of it, such as the chest, arms, and legs.
During the Anglo Saxon period (5th to 11th century AD), chainmail was a symbol of status and wealth. It was mainly used by the wealthy noblemen and their warriors. The common soldiers usually made do with simpler and cheaper forms of armor, such as leather or padded garments.
By the late Anglo-Saxon period, the use of chainmail had become more widespread, and it was more commonly worn by the general soldiery. However, it was still not as common as other forms of armor, and it was often reserved for the elite troops.