Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 1).djvu/187

 to the shape of the skull, and has a row of large holes about an inch apart round the edge for the attachment of the lining. It closely fits the head, covering the upper part of the ears, where it is slightly embossed for that purpose (Fig. 138).

Showing the hemispherical steel cap worn beneath the coif of mail. From Stothard's "Monumental Effigies"

A manuscript of the XIIIth century (Cott. MS. Nero, D i), British Museum. Showing a visor attached to a chain mail coif

Such as would be worn beneath a mail coif, of about 1240

This cap, however, is probably of the third quarter of the XVth century

Later the larger helm was worn over these steel caps and coifs; but without such a head-piece the face was exposed, though for its protection we have noted one illustration where a visor is worn in conjunction with a chain mail coif (Fig. 139).