Meanings
plural mamellières
- alternativeAlternative form of mamelière.
[…] was customary to secure it from accidental loss by a guard chain fastened to a mamellière of the breast-armor,
1877, Thomas Spencer Baynes, The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, and General Literature, page 6705 more examples
In Plate IX. is a knightly sword of the fourteenth century, furnished with a ring at the pommel, for attachment by a chain to the mamellière of the breastplate. A portion of the chain itself appears on the same plate.
1801, Central Committee of the British Archaeological Association for the Encouragement and Prosecution of Researches into the Arts and Monuments of the Early and Middle Ages, The Archaeological Journal, page 405... while he winds up the string by means of a moulinet and pulleys; his armour consists simply of a leathern jacket, with mamellières or plates on the breast, and round elbow-plates, and he is armed with a cut and thrust sword.
1842, S.R. Meyrick, A Critical Inquiry Into Antient Armour, as it Existed in Europe, Particularly in Great Britain, from the Norman Conquest to the Reign of King Charles II: Ill. by a Series of Illuminated Engravings : with a Glossary of Military Terms of the Middle Ages, page 102... and being open at the sides; it is also generally made to fit closer to the body, and, as in this instance, is often laced up on one side (the right). Mamellières of plate embossed, of a sexfoil shape, are on each breast, forming attachment for chains […] In the brass of Sir John de Northwood, Minster-Shepey, there is one mamellière with chain passing over left shoulder. In St. Peter's Church, Sandwich, […] are two mamellières formed of lions' heads, […]
1880, Surrey Archaeological Collections, Relating to the History and Antiquities of the County, page 186Near the left shoulder is the tilting helmet, attached by chains to the mamellières; a pair of bull's horns form the crest. The sculpture is excellent, and preservation good. So singular a combination of brass chain-mail with a[…]
1892, Alfred Heales, The Architecture of the Churches of Denmark, page 123This effigy wears an elaborate costume of the early part of the reign of Edward III., with the very uncommon additions of mamellières or chains from the breast to the sword-hilt and scabbard. The high , pointed bascinet and the[…]
1902, Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, Transactions - Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society, page 259
Cite this entry
mamellière. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mamelli%C3%A8re
“mamellière.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mamelli%C3%A8re. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “mamellière,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/mamelli%C3%A8re.
Source: mamellière on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.