Page:Archaeological Journal, Volume 7.djvu/549

 NOTICES OF AECHAEOLOGICAL TUBLICATIONS. 405 In the store of armour-trove the most curious relics are the si)liiits which formed the breast and back-pieces of a knight of the XI Vth century; important, as they explain the structure of the bezanted armour so often seen in the effigies and illuminations of this period. The defence is thus contrived ; strips of metal, like hooping, are placed horizontally across the body, the upper edge of each band being perforated for rivets. These strips are arranged so as slightly to overlap each other, a piece of velvet or other stuff is then laid over the whole, and by rows of rivets fastened to the bands of iron beneath. The velvet being of a rich hue, and the rivet heads gilt, the garment presents exactly the appearance of those knightly caparisons in which spots of gold are seen studding the whole superfices of a dress of crimson or other brilliant tincture. It must not be forgotten that a portion of iron yet retains its coating of velvet beneath the rivet-heads. (It is figured in Plate X.) Next in interest are a bassinet and helm of the second half of the fourteenth century. The bassinet is described as being very heavy, and formed out of a single piece of iron. It comes low over the ears, and is sharply pointed above. Compare the bassinet of Sir Thomas Cawne, at Ightham, Kent.^ The helm is of the same type, and closely similar in construction, with those of the Black Prince in Canterbury Cathedral, and of De Pembridge, in the Meyrick Collection. In Plate IX. is a knightly sword of the fourteenth century, furnished with a ring at the pommel, for attachment by a chain to the mamelliere of the breastplate. A portion of the chain itself appears on the same plate. In Plate VII. is the figure of a hand-gun (Handbilchse), which was found in the castle cistern. It is of brass, and has still attached to it a portion of the wooden handle by which it was held. Pike-heads, daggers, cross-bow bolts, pole-axe heads, and other warlike implements of early construction are exhibited in other engravings ; and in Plate XI. are collected various sketches from ancient sculptures, or illuminations, affording contemporary illustration of the objects found in the excavations. This monograph is perfect in all its bearings, and forms an admirable model for similar works in our own country. REMARKS on the ARCHITECTURE of LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL, with an ESSAY towards a History of the Fabric. By Edward A. Frb:eman, M.A. Pickering, London, 1850. 8vo. The remarkable monuments of ecclesiastical architecture in the Princi- pality have hitherto been very insufficiently considered by the numerous students of ecclesiology. It is due to the spirited efforts of the Itcv. H. Longueville Jones, in establishing the " Archa3ologia Cambrensis," and to the impulse given by the meetings of the Cambrian Association, that antiquaries and authors, well known, like Mr. Freeman, by their successful labours in the Illustration of Architectural Examples in England, have at length devoted a share of their attention to those, long-neglected, which exist in Wales. We hail the appearance of this volume — the precursor, we hope, of an extended Illustration of the Cathedral and other ecclesi- astical antiquities of that country. We are unable to enter into the question betwoon IMr. Freeman and ' Stothard's Monuments, PI. 77.