Fig. 381.—Manteau d’armes. (Wallace Collection.)
A combined grande garde and volante piece ([Fig. 379]) is represented upon a king engaged in combat in the field in a fifteenth century missal presented by the Duchess of Burgundy to Henry VI., which indicates that some of the reinforcements used in the tilting yard were at times made available for war purposes; this, however, was the exception and not the rule.
The Manteau d’Armes.—This piece consists of a large concave shield intended to protect the left side of the breastplate and the left shoulder, and was used in the Italian or Free Course. It was firmly fixed to the breastplate by screws. The surface of the shield was usually embossed with a raised trellis-work design, either appliqué or raised from the surface by repoussé; this arrangement was intended to furnish a “grip” for the adversary’s lance ([Fig. 381]).
Fig. 382.—Polder mitten. (Tower of London.)
The Polder Mitten, or Épaule de Mouton, was attached to the right vambrace, and afforded protection against lance-thrusts to the bend of the arm and the parts immediately above and below. The example shown in [Fig. 382] is from the Tower of London.
Fig. 383.—Suit of armour for fighting on foot, King Henry VIII. (Tower of London.)