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From the Harleian MSS., 4431, folio 114 About 1420. The Poems of Christine de Pisan

About 1440 London Museum

As the XVth century progresses the formation of the chanfron assumes a less cumbersome form, and its development, differing in this respect from that of man's armour, becomes somewhat less protective, inasmuch as it fails to inclose the head completely. In a MS. of the poems of Christine de Pisan, preserved among the Harleian MSS., 4431, folio 114, there is a delightful little miniature executed about 1420 for Isabel, Queen of France, which shows a knight arming (Fig. 961). Beside him is his steed. On it are vandyked flanchards, poitrel, and neck covering of chain mail. The chanfron is somewhat advanced in form, showing the cusped ridge down the front; while the crinet is composed of three comparatively small plates. The saddle shows several points of interest; for here it is represented with the leg shields, which are seemingly of metal, being apparently riveted around the edge. The stirrups are triangular in form, and though indifferently drawn, seem to be of the type of which we see an example in the London Museum (Fig. 962). They are stirrups, the chief feature of which is their diminution in circumference towards the front; an arrangement which would prevent the knight with his pointed solleret from "riding home" and so, in the event of his being thrown, would lessen the danger of his being dragged by the stirrup.