Two brigandines as used in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries are preserved in the Tower of London; details of their structure are given in Figs. 343 and 344, both being drawn the exact size of the originals. In Fig. 343, A is a square sheet of thin iron, rounded at the corners and with a hole in the centre. In B it is placed between two coverings of canvas and fastened by strings, three of which pass through the centre; the loose ends are continued to pass over and through four more plates which surround B and practically touch it on all sides. This is a common and inexpensive form of jazeraint. [Illustration: FIG. 343.--Details of brigandines, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. (Tower of London.)] [Illustration: FIG. 344.--Details of studded Brigandine, fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. (Tower of London.)] Fig. 344 is more complicated. A represents a small plate of iron, thinner than that used in the preceding example. The heads of six studs, which are screwed or otherwise fastened into the plate, are shown side by side. In B the plate is shown edgewise and one of the studs also. C represents this plate and four others placed between two layers of canvas, cloth, or other material with the stud heads perforating one of the layers and the plates overlapping like slates upon a roof. D represents the appearance of the face of the brigandine when finished. It will readily be perceived that such a garment would be very pliable, and yet offer considerable resistance to an arrow, or bolt, or a sword-cut. CHAPTER XIII THE TRANSITION PERIOD, 1500-1552 The salient features of the Transition Period are:-- 1. The adoption of sabbatons in the place of sollerets. 2. The chain mail skirt. 3. The general use of a closed helmet. [Illustration: FIGS. 345 and 346.--Helmets. (Tower of London.)] _The Helmet._--This defence was invariably of the “closed” pattern, and consisted of a crown with a ridge, generally roped, down the centre; two cheek-pieces meeting together at the chin and fastening there; the visor and bavière formed of one piece, pierced with oblong apertures for the occularium, and having small holes for ventilation and breathing purposes. The bavière was a relict of the mentonnière of a previous period, and the close helmet may be regarded as a direct evolution from the armet; indeed it is at times difficult to differentiate between the two. The roundel at the back of the neck in the armet gave way to a plate-guard. The neck portion of the close helmet was furnished with a hollow rim, generally decorated with roping, which fitted over a corresponding solid rim upon the upper portion of the gorget and permitted the head to be rotated from side to side. The visor and bavière in the early helmets were in one piece, and very often of the bellows pattern, but later examples show them in two distinct pieces, the upper portion, or visor proper, falling down inside the bavière.