Fig. 270.—Bascinet of one of the Neville family, Brancepeth, Durham.
Fig. 271.—Bascinet and orle, Sir Humphrey Stafford, 1450.
The Helmet.—During the earlier part of the Tabard Period, until about 1450, the helmet differed but slightly from those shown in the Surcoatless, the modifications being chiefly in the form of the apex and the addition of a close-fitting visor. In the example shown ([Fig. 270]) the visor was probably rapidly adjusted to the lower studs in time of danger, or the heaume could be worn. The shape of the apex should be noted, and this feature is also somewhat similar in the helmet of John, Duke of Somerset, a.d. 1444. In those cases where the knight trusted to the bascinet only, the bavière is raised considerably to guard the face. This is well seen in the brass of Sir Humphrey Stafford, 1450 ([Fig. 271]), where the orle is a prominent feature. An example is given here of a brass of a later period exhibiting armour of an earlier date, an occurrence which at times causes confusion. Sir John de Harpedon’s brass ([Fig. 272]) is well known in Westminster Abbey, and dates from 1457; the armour is most unusually simple for that period, and could well be attributed to thirty years earlier, except in regard to the gauntlets. There are no less than eleven lames in the taces.
Fig. 272.—The brass of Sir John de Harpedon.
