These might, however, have been the Gambesons that formed of themselves the body-armour of the soldier.

The surgeon was brought, and he speedily took off Sir Richard's body-armour, and laid bare the many wounds that he had received.

His body-armour is covered by a surcoat of blue, laced down the front; he wears a gorget and skirt of mail.

It has been held to mean the kind of cloth called "muster-develers:" a body-armour seems implied.