Fig. 378.—Volante piece and grande garde, c. 1580. (Wallace Collection.)
Fig. 379.—Grande garde and volante piece. (From a Missal.)
Fig. 380.—Manteau d’armes, 16th century. (Tower of London.)
The Volante Piece.—This reinforcement was intended for the protection of the neck and face up to the eyes; it was either separate from the grande garde, as in [Fig. 377], or formed a part of it as in [Fig. 378], where a series of studs are shown which permanently fix it. In this example an oblong slit is shown in the lower part of the grande garde by which an attachment to the breastplate can be effected. If no grande garde is used a volante piece similar to a large mentonnière in construction was affixed to the breastplate, generally by three screws, and while effectually protecting both sides of the helmet was also prolonged over both shoulders.
