ACB, and JBR, You appear to know what chain mail is, but a good one, depends on the metal, and how closely and well each individual link is put together, a chain is only as strong, as it's weakest link. The plate you are probably thinking of, is called a breast-plate, it is seperate from the chain mail. And yes, you can have both on at the same time.
Am I right Justin, or am I off?
"There are two things never to be lost sight of by a military commander. Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy, if possible; and when you strike and overcome him, never give up the pursuit as long as your men have strength to follow; for an army routed, if hotly pursued, becomes panic-stricken, and can then be destroyed by half their number. The other rule is, never fight against heavy odds, if by any possible maneuvering you can hurl your own force on only a part, and that the weakest part, of your enemy and crush it. Such tactics will win every time, and a small army may thus destroy a large one in detail, and repeated victory will make it invincible." - Stonewall Jackson