Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 1).djvu/153



From Hefner-Alteneck's "Waffen, etc."

From Hefner-Alteneck's "Waffen, etc."

shield there is in existence a shield somewhat of the type we have been describing—although it belongs properly to the first decade of the XIIIth century. This may be studied with advantage (Fig. 95, a, b). The blazonry of this shield, which is in Seedorf, a small village on the south-eastern shores of the Lake of Lucerne, shows that it belonged to the Briens, a knightly family who resided in this locality. Originally a battle shield, it was hung up after the death of its owner in the church of the Knights of the Order of St. Lazarus at Seedorf, which was built by a member of the family. Both the church and the cloister of Seedorf were originally set apart for the use of the Augustinian Friars, but were subsequently handed over to the monks of the Benedictine Order. These latter, setting little store by the venerable military achievement, and considering it an unsuitable ornament for their church, put it aside, so that in time it was forgotten. Only a few years ago it was discovered in an unused cupboard within the church. It is now in the collection of the Rev. Anton Denier, vicar of Attinghausen. The Rev. Anton Denier attributes the shield, and probably correctly, to the founder of the Monastery of the Knights of St. Lazarus at Seedorf, one
 * struction. Fortunately to assist us in our notes dealing with the Norman