Aventail

Aventails developed from the chainmail coifs as the first Pot Helmets appeared. In an early stage of development a full coif was necessary to protect the neck. With the development of the Great Helms a smaller helmet came into use, the Secret, which was worn on top of the coif under the Great Helm. Because this became very heavy the coif and Secret were combined into the Bascinet with attached mail. With emancipation of the Bascinets into full helmets the Secret and the coif became useless and the maille was only attached, as an aventail, outside the helmet.