A small square or rectangular plate of armor that was attached to the shoulders or armholes of medieval armor to protect the joints and upper arms.
From French 'ailette,' a diminutive of 'aile' (wing), because these plates stuck out from the sides like wings. Used in medieval armor construction, particularly in the 13th-14th centuries.
Medieval knights wore ailettes not just for protection but also as status symbols—they were decorated with personal coats of arms to show your family's importance on the battlefield!
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