Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 4).djvu/90

 curiously decorated with narrow recessed bands, etched and gilt with knotted ornaments, introducing at intervals the pomegranate; while in the centre of the breastplate can be seen the initials A. V., which probably stand for Anne Vavasour, natural daughter of Sir Thomas Vavasour, and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth. The "Dictionary of National Biography" states that this lady was Sir Henry Lee's mistress. In the MS. the details of the pomegranate ornamentation are represented red and green, as though enamelled, a polychromatic decoration of armour which is rare, though not quite unknown. This colour pigment on the third Lee suit must have been in the medium of paint, and not of enamel. The suit as set up in the Armourers' and Brasiers' Hall comprises a close helmet, complete arms with full pauldrons, fingered gauntlets, breast- and backplate, taceplate and short tassets, laminated cuisses, knee-cops, jambs, and sollerets. The whole suit is now unfortunately overcleaned.

No. 28 in the Jacobe MS.

The suit supposed to have been made for Nicholas Christof von Radzivill, Duke of Olyka, once in the Imperial Armoury of Vienna, is similarly enriched with painted strapwork in red, black, and white. No part of this suit is now