Actéon. Actaeon in Greek mythology was a hunter who saw Diana bathing, and was in consequence changed by the goddess into a stag.
L. 437. chanfrein, the piece of armour which covered the head of the horse.
Les chatons des cuissards sont barris de leurs clés. A difficult line. The chatons were the studs or screws which held the thigh-piece (cuissard) in its place, and the instrument which worked them was called la clé. Barrés appears to mean simply 'fastened'. Sir G. Young translates:—
'Their cuissart-studs up to the socket braced'
boutoir, the sharp spike on the knee-piece.
crible. The word refers to the visor with seven bars, which was one of the marks of a marquis's rank.
mortier. The round cap which was the ancient emblem of sovereignty in France. It was worn by barons who possessed full powers of administering justice in their domains, also by the presidents of the 'parlements', and by the chancellors. A modified form is still part of the official dress of some of the judges of the highest courts.
It will be noted that the antiquities in this passage are French, not German.
tortil, a ribbon twisted round a crown, the special ornament of a baron, not of a duke. It also signifies in heraldry a circular band or pad to which heraldic negroes' heads were attached.
rondache, a round shield.