Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 1).djvu/228



From the tomb of the Black Prince in the cathedral church of Canterbury

century embroidery that have been preserved, which retain more or less the brightness of the gold thread, the fleur-de-lis and lions upon the Black Prince surcoat have evidently been worked in inferior gold thread, which has turned black. The shield (Fig. 188), a beautiful object in itself, is impracticable. Measuring 28-3/4 inches in length by 23-1/4 inches across the top, it is fashioned of some light wood joined down the centre, covered with white canvas which in front was overlaid with gesso, which in its turn was covered with paper and finally with leather. The first and fourth quarters were then powdered with fleur-de-lis of embossed leather, and the second and third quarters were charged each with three lions ''passant gardant'', or leopards as they were then called, also of embossed leather. The field was then punched all over with cruciform markings, originally painted red and blue alternately. Sir St. John Hope states that of the label of three points with which the Prince's arms were differenced there is not the slightest trace—and he is certain there never was one on this shield. The back of the shield is painted green, and, what is also a convincing proof of its purely decorative character, has no positive signs of ever having been fitted with enarmes or loops for the hand and arm. The portion of the sword sheath that survives (Fig. 189) is but the leather covering of what must have been a sheath of wood, as a few fragments of the latter are still to be seen. The leathern covering was originally painted red, with enrichments in the form of gilt latten studs with fanciful diamond-shaped heads, thirty-one of which remain; the locket and chape are also missing. It is a little difficult to determine the original length of the sheath, for only twenty-seven inches in all now remain. Around the fate of the sword itself a whole mass of legend has accumulated. In the drawing we have already referred to as being in the possession of the Society of Antiquaries, showing the Black Prince's tomb late in the XVIth or at the beginning of the XVIIth century, the sword is in position, as is also a dagger. The sword is straight and double-edged, with drooping quillons and twisted grip. In the Society of Antiquaries' drawing the formation of the pommel cannot be seen, as part of the helm covers it; but it appears to be a weapon drawn from the artist's