Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 1.djvu/306

288 that doughty earl of Warwick and Sir Pandulf Malacet (? Malatesta). In the porter's lodge at Warwick castle may be seen a specimen of the singular long-handled axe, such as is represented in the drawing in question; possibly it may be the identical weapon which was used by Earl Richard at that memorable feat of arms, but it has been fitted with a short handle, as if intended for single-handed use, like a battle-axe. Besides the numerous subjects illustrative of armour and arms, much information is to be gained in regard to the details of ancient warfare. The curious military engines, which were used with dire effect previously to the invention of gunpowder, are exhibited in active operation, as in the annexed representation, taken from a drawing executed about the close of the fourteenth century, which shews the machines used for projecting huge stones. It is said that these powerful machines, which were called pierriéres, calabres, mangonels, &c., were introduced during the reign of Henry III. by the second Simon de Montfort. It is singular that the only specimens which have been noticed of the large stone balls or pellets, with which the walls of a fortress were battered by means of such artillery, were found a few years since in the soil, on the site of the extensive lake which formerly washed the walls of Kenilworth castle, granted by Henry III. to the same De Montfort, earl of Leicester. Possibly these might have been some of the ponderous projectiles which had been employed during the obstinate siege maintained against Henry by the partizans of the rebel baron, under his younger son, after the battle of Evesham. The fashion of the stately pavilion, which served to shelter the warrior in the field, of the galley in which he crossed the seas, with its lofty quarter-deck, and