Fig. 106.—Heaume, Cœur de Lion.
Fig. 107.—“Pot Helmet,” from the Eneit of Heinrich von Veldeke.
The Shield during this period was cut off as a rule in a straight line at the top, and was convex, so as to partially enclose the figure (see [Fig. 108]). It gradually decreased in size, until towards the close it became the small, well-known “heater-shaped” shield which remained in vogue for such a lengthy period. It was invariably decorated with the armorial bearings of the wearer, which in the early part of the chain mail period were mostly fanciful or devotional and of a transitory character, but became hereditary as it progressed. The only weapon of importance introduced was the arbalest, which will be dealt with in the next period.
Fig. 108.—From the seal (1315) of John de Bretagne, Earl of Richmond.