Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 2).djvu/244



About 1298. Abbey church of Westminster. After Stothard

Early XIVth century. In the church of Schutz, Alsace

Early XIVth century Schönthal Church, Germany

to the period of full chain armour, almost to the latter part of the XIIth century, and from that point follow their development down to the end of the XVth century; after which time, until the final disuse of the gauntlet in the XVIIth century, they practically remained unaltered in their construction. At first we have only the missal and effigy to assist us in illustrating the different fashions and changes; and it is not until we reach the closing years of the XIVth century that we are able to give illustrations of actual extant examples. In the Bayeux needlework it will be noticed that in every case the sleeve of the hauberk terminated at the elbow, the fore-arms being covered by the under garment. The hands are always exposed and have no defence except where they are protected by the quillons of the sword. As the XIIth century progresses the sleeves of the hauberk grow longer until, towards its end, they were extended to form a covering for the hand. This covering, which may be considered the first form of hand defence,