Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/46

 mouth. It was so constructed that the wearer could raise or drop the covering, it being pivoted from above—in this form it was called a visor. When similar plates were raised from below they were called beavers, from the Italian bevere, access to the mouth being thereby obtained. The top of the helmet was surmounted by the knight's armorial crest, which derived its name from this cause. Knights of St. John were not permitted to wear a crest.

The shield, which was borne upon the left arm, completed the defensive armour. Its shape was either oblong or triangular. It was usually adorned with the armorial bearings of the wearer together with his motto, the latter being used as his war-cry in battle. Knights of St. John bore the cross on their shield, all other device being forbidden.

The offensive arms in general use were four in number—the lance, the sword, the battle-axe, and the dagger. The lance was made of tough ash wood, with a pointed iron head; its length varied with the height and strength of its bearer, there being no rule on this subject. Below the point was usually fixed a small flag or pennon carrying some heraldic device—in the case of the Hospitallers the white cross. When not in use the lance was slung to the saddle bow, the end of it resting on the rider's toe, whence he could seize it easily and couch it beneath his right arm. When thus levelled its point projected many feet beyond his horse's head.

The usual weapon, when at close quarters, or in mêlée as it was called, was the sword. This was constructed of the finest steel, long, straight, broad, and double-edged. Spain has always been famed for the superior temper of its sword blades, the forging of Saragossa having been as celebrated in the twelfth century as that of Toledo is now. Nothing, however, equalled the work produced at Damascus, the sword blades of which ranked in the highest estimation of all. The chivalry of a family was represented by its sword, which descended as an heirloom from father to son. The cross hilt supplied on occasion the place of a crucifix, and its head was usually engraved to act as a seal. As few of the knights of that period had acquired the monkish talent of writing, this seal impressed on wax served as a signature.