Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/114

 former, was lighter and more convenient than either; at the same time it had the very distinct advantage over every other type of early helmet of having in its more advanced form its weight borne by the gorget instead of resting on the head.

< sc>Fig. 427. Reverse of a medal of Domenico Malatesta, called Novello}}

Executed about 1450 by Vittore Pisano

Speaking in the broadest sense, the armet may be classed under two headings, the so-called Italian and the later English variety. The difference between the two consisted in the manner of opening the head-piece; for the general shape and the visor protection of the face were practically identical. The Italian or continental armet almost invariably had complete cheek-plates opening outwards on a hinge attached to the skull-piece immediately below the visor pivot. The cheek-plates joined in front of the chin, and the visor fitted over them when lowered. The skull-piece was continued down the back of the neck by a piece only a few inches wide, which was partially overlapped by the cheek-pieces. From this narrow piece projected a short stem on which a disk or rondel, sometimes termed the volet, was fixed. Concerning the use to which this rondel, which is characteristic of the armet and is never omitted from the early type, may have been put, there has been some difference of opinion; but there can be little doubt that it was added as a protection to the opening of the helmet at the back. The skull-piece of the English armet was modelled more to the shape of the head, extending so as