3. The Italian Course, or Über die Pallia. This course was of later origin than the Stechen or Sharfrennen, and originated in Italy, as the name implies. It was introduced into Germany during the first decade of the sixteenth century, and became immensely popular. A wooden barrier with a height of about five feet separated the combatants, who rode on either side of it, left hand inwards. The suits of armour for the course are, strange to say, invariably provided with armour for the lower limbs, and a typical example is one preserved in the Wallace Collection dating from _c._ 1580, which has a closed helmet, breastplate of the peascod form with a lance-rest, tassets of two wide plates, and a backplate (Fig. 419). The pauldrons are of the espalier pattern with brassarts, vambraces, coudières, and fingered gauntlets. The cuisses are wide, a peculiarity noticeable in the armour of the latter end of the sixteenth century. Reinforced genouillières, jambarts, and sabbatons complete the suit. Additional defences are the large _manteau d’armes_ with the lower edge turned outwards from the body and decorated with a trellis pattern to engage the lance of the opponent, and also a tilting reinforcement for the elbow on the left-hand side. A second suit of much interest is provided with a tilting helmet of great weight, the back of which is affixed in a peculiar manner to the backplate (Fig. 420 was similarly fastened), which rises high in order to receive it, while the bavière is of the form of a mentonnière, being affixed by bolts to the breastplate. There is a manifere for the left hand as well as manteau d’armes and elbow reinforcement (Fig. 421). A third suit for this course has no sabbatons, the stirrups being made to protect the feet. [Illustration: FIG. 420.--Tilting-helmet of Sir John Gostwick, 1541.] The lance used was tipped with a coronal head; it was held upon the left side of the horse’s head, and the main idea at first was to unhorse an adversary, which was a matter of great difficulty, as the riders sat in a deep well-saddle with high projections both back and front. Subsequently, however, the shivering of lances became the chief object, and they were made light and hollow (the bourdonass) for that purpose, and riders very seldom lost their seats in consequence. The armour also began to lose that ponderous character it formerly possessed, and light Italian suits were in favour. These also were adapted for running the various courses prevailing, screw holes and adjustments allowing of the reinforcements being attached for each. [Illustration: FIG. 421.--Manifere, left-hand tilting gauntlet, _c._ 1560. (Wallace Collection.)]