Large sections of plate armour began to be added to mail during the middle of the 13th century. This continued until full plate armour developed sometime in the late 14th century. Although there was some armour made in other areas, the two main centers for the production of armour were Germany and Italy. One of the most beautiful of the styles was that called ""Gothic"", produced both in Germany and Italy, the differences being distinct, but equally beautiful. The Italian Gothic was fuller, not as spiky. During this period of time, the average suit of armour would cost about the same as a top of the line Mercedes now. Of course, Kings and Emperors would have even fancier suits, which might compare to a Rolls. Offering a rounded surface to both lance and sword, the Italian Gothic armour was in high demand throughout Europe.

The history of chainmaille has long been thought, in error, to be of Germanic origin. However, the credit must go to the Celts. As early as 5th century BC, chainmaille was found, among other artifacts, in only the richest of the Celtic chieftain’s grave sites. In the movies every common man had a fine suit of maille. In reality, this is not the case . It is assumed that only the very wealthiest and most powerful were allowed to wear chainmaille. To date no complete suit has been recovered. The use of chainmaille body armor by the Celts is shown in the small number of archaeological finds and representations. The largest find, dating back to between late 4th and early 3rd century BC, was recovered in Rumania at the Ciumesti chieftain’s grave site, which included a mostly complete suit and a famous helmet with a raven crest that had moveable wings. Findings through the Continental LaTene period were rare. However, chainmaille was depicted on statues of Celtic gods and heroes. Pieces of chainmaille have also been recovered from famous graves in middle Germany such as Hunsruck-Eiffel Culture and the Hochdorf or the Glauberg burials, also chainmaille frequently appeared in the early Gallo-Roman period. After the Roman conquest in the free Celtic world, chainmaille suits were still only available to those in high power or of high wealth. Based on word derivation, it is likely that the Germans learned chainmaille from the Celts. It is very likely that the use of formed metal rings fashioned together into maille armor was first made in a Celtic armoury not a German one. In the chainmaille findings it appears that two distinct methods of construction were used. The first method used punched out rings in an alternating pattern with the rings butted together. The second method used rings which were riveted together. The two methods varied by region. It is thought that the Celts fashioned all of their maille by hand. The Germans later perfected the riveted method by making special tools for shaping and riveting. If you study the German word for chainmaille - brunne, it is likely derived from the Celtic word for chainmaille - brunnio. If you look at other Germanic languages such as Gothic, chainmaille is brunjo, in Anglo-Saxon it is byrne, in old high German it is brunja, and in old Nordic it is brynja.