Fig. 348A.
Fig. 349.—Standard of mail, William Bardwell, 1508. West Herling Church, Norfolk.
The Gorget of the period consisted of laminated plates riveted at the sides of the neck and working freely upon each other, but covering from below upwards. These gorgets were an essential feature of the following, or Maximilian, period. It often spread over the chest and extended down the back as well; it was furnished with sliding rivets to allow of the maximum of freedom. At times this gorget was fixed to and formed part of the close helmet. Towards the latter part of the period the standard or collar of mail appears to have been worn very frequently to protect the neck; in these cases one or more lames forming a gorget were added to the lower part of the helmet to fit over and reinforce the standard. An example is shown in [Fig. 349].
Fig. 350.—Globose breastplate, 1510. (Tower of London.)
The Breastplate was globose, and as a rule furnished with one or more articulated lames (or taces) at the lower part, which permitted freedom of motion for the body at the waist. [Fig. 350] represents a breastplate in the Tower which has one lame. Goussets of plate are invariably found at the junction of the arms with the body; these were also made to slide freely upon their rivets. At the top a projecting collar protected the part where the gorget was covered by the breastplate, and this feature is exemplified in Figs. [350] and [351], the latter also being an example from the Tower of London though a little later in date. The apertures pierced in it were made for the attachment of various tilting pieces. The ornamentation shown in [Fig. 350] consists of mere sunken indentations, and suggests flutings.