Cleveland Museum of Art

Bishop's Mantle (Cape)

Date

c. 1520–30

Medium

riveted steel (some brass) rings; reinforced collar

Culture

European (German or Swiss?), early 16th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

Chain mail capes known as "bishop's mantles" were popular with German mercenary foot soldiers between about 1500 and 1550. They were often worn as the only element of armor. In 805 an edict of Charlemagne established a link between the right to own land and the obligation to own a chainmail shirt.

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