Swimming in armour
Am planning to lead a walk along my local river, the Medway. I have discovered that in 43AD the Romans brought 2 cohorts of auxiliaries trained to swim in armour. I think that they would be wearing leather vests with chain mail sewn in rather than the heavier Roman Army iron breastplate.
Beneath their chain mails vests they would have worn a sort of short kilt.
As there were expecting to fight chariots and horses on landing I would guess they were armed with spears and long knives.
The battle to cross the river lasted 2 days which was exceptional for this period.
Anyone fancy swimming in armour?
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