In "Beowulf", what was the importance of the mail shirt in Anglo Saxon culture?

The Anglo-Saxons were known for being seafarers.  This
being said, during their long voyages across the sea, their main reason for traveling
was to claim other lands for themselves. During the 5th and 6th centuries, the Anglos
raided England.

The mail shirt provided the Anglo Saxons
with the protection they needed from the hand-to-hand combat which took place when they
were raiding and pillaging in order to take over foreign
lands.

In Beowulf, given both tribes
(the Geats and the Danes) were part of the Anglo Saxon culture, they were seafarers and
warriors. Therefore, when facing battles at home, or abroad, they would wear the mail
shirts as part of their protection against others in
battle.

The mail shirts were an important part of their
culture provided it offered both protection against foes and could be looked at as a
symbol of their warrior spirit.