Brain Teasers
Thousands of Rings
Craftsman learned from times gone by,
How to shape and span the girth;
Able, knowing how and why,
Iron or steel, wrest from the earth
New form takes before the eye.
Myriad the rings new-made,
Arranged by nimble, practiced hands.
In age-old pattern deftly played,
Lined together, bands on bands.
Linked in strength, for use or trade;
Endure in battle or parade.
How to shape and span the girth;
Able, knowing how and why,
Iron or steel, wrest from the earth
New form takes before the eye.
Myriad the rings new-made,
Arranged by nimble, practiced hands.
In age-old pattern deftly played,
Lined together, bands on bands.
Linked in strength, for use or trade;
Endure in battle or parade.
Hint
See the first letter of each line!Answer
Chain Maille, also known as "Chain Mail", or simply "Mail" or "Maille".Armor for battle or tournaments in the early Middle Ages, chain mail is fashioned by some living history buffs or re-enactors, like the members of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Thousands of rings are woven together to make a chain mail shirt, or "hauberk". The rings for chain mail were riveted, welded, or simply closed by butting the two ends against each other. Chain mail is very weighty if made of steel rings; some mail is made from aluminum for lightness.
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Comments
yay, first comment! Dude, your hint TELLS you the answer, not helps you with the answer. That's not a hint. I liked the riddle though, it was well written. Keep 'em coming!
I liked this teaser, especially as an RPG player.
Me too! I don't make mail, but I took a class in how to put the rings together.
I like the poetic way this was written. Great job!
Thank you for your nice comment! I got the idea from some other teasers on Braingle!
Well written, educational. The hint did give it away, but without it I would never have gotten it right. Thanks for posting.
I liked it, but the hint kinda gave it away.
that was supa creative!!
nice! it's an English sonnet
Really good. Shouldn't have put the hint, but then I wouldn't have gotten it. Nicely done!
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