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Why did chain mail protect well against slashing weapons?

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Armour — armour The development of Western body armour through the centuries.

Chain mail provided effective protection against slashing and piercing weapons because of its construction using small, interlocking iron rings. By linking these rings into a dense, overlapping fabric, the armour created a flexible yet resilient barrier that could deflect or resist the force of a blade.1

Because the rings were typically riveted or welded shut, they prevented a cutting edge from easily slicing through the material. While mail was highly effective against cuts, it was often worn over a padded undergarment to help absorb the impact of blows and protect the wearer against bruising. Over time, armourers refined these patterns to balance weight and coverage, ensuring the mail remained a reliable defense for medieval soldiers until it was eventually supplemented and displaced by plate armour.21