oreillette

plural oreillettes

1. historicalA flap or plate covering the ear in medieval armor helmets and civilian clothing.

   The helmet is also furnished with two oreillettes, attached by hinges, and will meet over the chin ...

   1896, Frederick William Fairholt, Costume in England: Glossary, page 13

   4 more examples

   The head is covered with a helmet, with oreillettes, and a pierced vizor; upon which are the arms of England, and the King's initials, “J. R.”

   1850, The Royal Companion to the "Sights of London" and Within Twenty-five Miles of St. Paul's: Containing a Mass of Valuable Information, Useful, Entertaining, and Instructive, Especially to Visitors to "The Great Metropolis.", page 14

   The third attendant, who bears the king's square banner, whereon is emblazoned his harp, has a visor'd helmet, with the mentoniere and circular oreillettes, and the neck-covering, or hausse-col, of plate; […]

   1863, William Young Ottley, An inquiry concerning the invention of printing, also notices of the early use of wood-engraving, etc, page 334

   Iron helmet, with oreillettes ornamented with repoussé arabesques crested with a sort of sheaf ornament; in front is a dolphin mask. This beautiful helmet is doubtless the work of Paolo di Negroli, a famous Milanese armourer ...

   1863, South Kensington Museum, Catalogue of the Special Exhibition of Works of Art of the Mediæval, Renaissance, and More Recent Periods: On Loan at the South Kensington Museum, June 1862, page 365

   It is in fact a conical cap, with a laminated neckpiece and oreillettes. This helmet was designed to meet a defect in the armet, for there was a weak place, where the casque came in contact with the body armour.

   1898, Archaeologia Aeliana: Or, Miscellaneous Tracts Relating to Antiquities, page 242