Now only Hist. Forms: α. 5 iessera(u)nt(e, -and, -ance, iestraunt, 5–6 iestern(e, 8 jazerent, 9 -an, -ant. β. 5 gessera(u)nt(e, -an, -en, (geseran), 6 gesseron; see also GESTERON. [a. OF. jaseran, -ant, jaz-, jac-, jesseran, jasiran, in Roland (11th c.) jazerene = Pr. jazeran, Pg. jazerão; in Sp. jacerina, Pg. jazerina, It. ghiazzerino; orig. an adj., in OF. osberc jazerenc, hauberc jazerant, in Sp. cota jacerina. Generally agreed to be of Saracen origin, and according to Diez prob. identical with Sp. jazarino Algerian, f. Arab. (al-) jazīrah ‘the island,’ in pl. Al-jazā’ir, Algiers, in the old Arabic writers Jazīrah beni Mazighanan.]
‘A light coat of armour composed of splints or small plates of metal rivetted to each other or to a lining of some stout material’ (Fairholt).
α. a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 4238. Thorowe jopowne and jesserawnte of gentille mailes.
a. 1400–50. Alexander, 2450 (Ashm.). Ȝarkid to þe ȝatis & ȝode to þe wallis, Sum in Iopons, sum in Iesserantis [Dublin MS. Iesserauntez] sum Ioyned all in platis.
1466. Mann. & Househ. Exp. (Roxb.), 353. He schal make my mastyr a jestrawnt.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, XIII. vi. Thenne syr Galahalt … dyd vpon hym a noble Iesseraunce.
1577. Holinshed, Chron. Scot., 32. Armed in iacks and light iesternes.
1795. Southey, Joan of Arc, VII. 184. At all points arm’d A jazerent of double mail he wore.
1823. Scott, Quentin D., ii. Underneath his plain habit, the Scotsman observed that he concealed a jazeran, or flexible shirt of linked mail.
1834. Planché, Brit. Costume, 194. The jazerant or jazerine jacket was frequently worn in lieu of the breast and back plates. This defence was composed of small overlapping plates of iron covered with velvet, the gilt studs that secured them forming the exterior ornament.
β. a. 1400[?]. Morte Arth., 2909. Thorowe gesserawntes of Iene jaggede to the herte.
1422. Will of Salwayn (Somerset Ho.). A Habirgon of gesseran.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., cliii. Lytill fischis … That In the sonne on thaire scalis bryght As gesserant, ay glitterit In my sight.
1465. Paston Lett., II. 214. Your gesseren and gaunteletts shall be send hom by the next caryours.
1530. Elyot, Gov., I. xvii. Armed as he was in a gesseron.
