Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/183

 times. The period of their manufacture was probably between the years 1510 and 1530.

To illustrate what we mean when we speak of their weakness of contour, we will give an outline drawing of one of this group of English made helms and place beside it an outline drawing of a fine German helm (Fig. 482, a, b). Through each drawing we mark a central vertical line, which very clearly shows in the English-made helm the want of bulk in the back part of the skull-piece and the tameness in the outward swing of the front visor plate, as compared with the vigorous contour of the German head-piece, which, it is obvious, would rest upon the shoulders with dignity, and which from its soundness and feeling for construction creates a sense of satisfaction and balance. This feeling, to those who are accustomed to make a careful study of head-pieces, is curiously lacking in all the helms of this particular English group.

Probably Burgundian, late XVth century. Found in the neighbourhood of Bourg-en-Bresse Metropolitan Museum of New York (a) Front view; (b) Profile view; (c) Back view

Having given illustrations of the various forms of the rigid tilting helm without movable visor, used when the opposing weapon was the lance alone, we shall now endeavour to link together the various classes of helms which formed a defence against all manner of weapons, including the lance, sword, and mace, and which, as in the case of the helms of XIVth century date, did double duty, being used in war as well as in joust. We may consider the first helm of this kind that we take as contemporary (about 1460-80) with the