Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/187

 to give strength. The pin and hinge device for this visor is similar to that in use on visored bascinets and on Italian armets. It is quite possible that different visors could be used with a helm of this kind, according as it might be required for tilting, for foot combat, or for fighting in the tourney. A short additional bevor is fastened below the visor to protect the lower edge of it from an upward blow; but this has now been riveted on so tightly that the visor can no longer be raised. The lower part of the helm furnishes evidence that the mode of fixing it to the cuirass has been changed; for a horizontal slot in the front, through which a staple originally passed, is now partly covered by one of the rough hinged pieces of iron which are fixed with clumsy rivets to the front of the helm, and which served to secure it to the breastplate. The chin-piece is connected with the skull-piece somewhat below the point where the visor is hinged (Fig. 486).

There was sold in the collection of Lord Londesborough in 1888 a helm (Lot 440) that was said to have come from Aylesbury Church. The present writer has never seen the head-piece, so is not in a position to give an opinion on its authenticity; but judging from an illustration (Fig. 486) of it, it would appear to be a similarly constructed helm to the last described, with apertures for seeing and breathing in its massive visor. It is now in the collection given by Mr. W. H. Riggs to the Metropolitan Museum of New York.

Said to have come from Aylesbury Church. Late XVth century. Collection: Mr. W. H. Riggs, Metropolitan Museum, New York

Next on the list for consideration is that fine fighting helm in Broadwater Church, Worthing (Fig. 487, a, b) known as the De la Warr helm. It may be a head-piece of a rather later type, but it certainly belongs to the same family as the helm just described. This helm was carefully described by the late Mr. W. Burges in the "Archaeological Journal" (vol. xxxvi, p. 78). In the outline of its skull-piece a very distinct improvement can be noted as regards the modelling of the back, and also in the additions for the