A small square shield, formerly worn on the shoulders of knights, -- being the prototype of the modern epaulet.

"Little wing". (armour) (Davis, H.W. C. (ed.) Medieval England, 615) A rectangular, circular or diamond shaped piece of leather or parchment laced to the shoulder, possibly to deflect a swordcut to the neck but more likely decorative, bearing the wearer's coat of arms. (Wise, Terence. Medieval Warfare, 246) Related terms: Armor For more information: Arms and Armor

Known also as ailets. From the French term meaning little wings; Square armour plates mounted to the shoulders, they were quite often worn by crusaders and were in use during the late 13th and early fourteenth centuries. Heraldic charges were frequently painted upon them for identification.

A flat plate of leather or parchment which tied to the point of the shoulder. Worn between 1250-1350 to display the owner's coat of arms.

The ailette was a component of thirteenth century knightly armor. Usually made of leather (sometimes of plate or parchement), ailettes attached to the shoulders by means of silk or leather cord and enhanced protection to the neck. Ailettes were usually flat and nearly rectangular in shape.