A protective or decorative pad, especially a rolled pad or roll of fabric used in medieval armor at the neck or in upholstery.
From French bourrelet (small roll, padding), diminutive of borre (padding). The term appears in medieval armor terminology and upholstery, referring to reinforcing pads.
Medieval knights wore bourrelets under helmets—a simple padded ring that prevented broken necks—showing that the most crucial safety innovations are often obscure and taken for granted.
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