Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/188



Late XVth century. Placed over the De la Warr tomb, Broadwater Church, Worthing

(a) Profile view; (b) Front view

strengthening of the face defence. Planned on the lines of the closed helmets of the XVIth century, it shows broad fluted decoration on its skull-piece. Almost the entire front of the skull is protected by a reinforcing piece, which in an attenuated elongation descends down its comb to the level of the visor pivot. Over this again is a full visor, having the slit ocularium. This visor from its most salient point descends at an angle to the chin-piece, and has, as in the case of the two previously mentioned helmets, an additional plate strengthening it immediately above the sight aperture. The top of this plate, like the top of the large visor, has an escalloped edge. On the visor's dexter side is a triangular opening, which possibly was always coverless; for the side is very strongly flanged outwards to prevent a lance blow delivered from the front slipping into the aperture. Below this opening is the latch and bolt fastening attached to keep the visor closed. The chin-piece of the helm descends to cover the upper part of the breastplate, to which it must have been attached by simple screws, a device similarly carried out at the back. To it is now attached a length of chain, certainly of early make, added