The Maximilian armour for fighting on foot in the lists was of
very elaborate workmanship, but not as a rule embellished with the
ornamentation which distinguished the equestrian suit. A complete
suit for this purpose is preserved in the Tower; it was made for King
Henry VIII., and is one of the finest in existence, containing as it
does over two hundred separate pieces, most of them provided with a
hollow groove which fits over a corresponding ridge upon the adjacent
piece, thus presenting such a perfect interlocking system that the suit
could not be taken to pieces without the greatest trouble. There are
no goussets or exposed parts of the person of the wearer, the whole
body being enclosed in a case of steel whose joints do not permit of
the passage of a pin. It weighs nearly one hundred pounds, and has the
broad-toed sabbatons of the period, and not only is the armour carried
inside the legs and arms at the bends but plates are also provided
under the seat. The breastplate has a slight ridging down the centre,
the precursor of the tapul or prominent projection so characteristic
of the breastplates immediately following. Upon this suit arm and knee
protections are used similar to those illustrated in Fig. 376.
_Lamboys or Bases._--The drapery used at this time, depending in folds
from the waist and hanging over the thighs, was occasionally imitated
in steel, but examples preserved to the present age are of great rarity.
[Illustration: FIG. 384.]
[Illustration: FIG. 385.--Three-quarter suit “slashed” armour, 1520.
(Wallace Collection.)]
The finest in existence is probably that preserved in the Tower, which
once belonged to Henry VIII.; it is a suit made by Seusenhofer of
Innsbruck, and was presented to the king by Maximilian I., in 1514
(Fig. 384). It is shown mounted in the collection, a portion of the
lamboys back and front being removable for the purpose. A close helmet
with gorget attached protects the head and neck; pike-guards are
affixed to both pauldrons, and a tapul appears upon the breastplate.
The legs are encased in close-fitting plate defences with no elaborate
ornamentation; indeed, but for a beautifully-designed border in brass
with the initials H and K appearing upon it, it is now practically
devoid of ornamentation. This, however, was compensated for when
new by being silvered.
[Illustration: FIG. 386.--Arm defences, slashed armour, 1520. (Wallace
Collection.)]
[Illustration: FIG. 387.--Interior of tasset, slashed armour, 1520.
(Wallace Collection.)]
[Illustration: FIG. 388.--Tasset, slashed armour, 1520. (Wallace
Collection.)]
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