allowing the bag to disengage itself automatically at the psychological moment, and to discharge the stone. In this case it seems to be charged with some combustible material to be hurled on board an opposing ship. The slinger is as usual bareheaded and devoid of bodily defences. With him is an archer also discharging combustibles affixed to the end of an arrow. He is habited in a sleeveless leather hauberk strengthened with round plates, presumably of metal; a coif of mail or leather covers his head. The third figure carries a sword, spear, and pole-axe, possibly his own, and also the close-quarter weapons of the projectile throwers. [Illustration: FIG. 109.--Soldiers, _c._ 1220. (Harl. MS., 4751.)] [Illustration: FIG. 110.--Staff-sling, &c. (MS. by Matthew Paris.)] The equipment of a man-at-arms at the close of this period is well shown in Fig. 111, from Auct. D. 4, 17, in the Bodleian Library. It dates from about 1250, and illustrates the defensive properties of leather in combination with iron. The steel chapelle-de-fer covers a chain mail coif which may be part of a continuous hauberk, as the arms and hands are covered with mail of the same description. Bands of leather round the throat afford the protection of a gorget: they are affixed to a hauberk composed of leather scales of large size and leaf-like shape showing the midrib, while a belt round the waist and pendent leaves on the skirt complete a most effective means of bodily defence. The legs are enclosed in soft leather chausses protected by metal studs, upon which is a cross-gartering of leather thongs. The only weapon shown is an axe of formidable proportions. A spearman of _c._ 1280 is shown in Add. MS., 11639, representing Goliath of Gath, in which a chapelle-de-fer is a feature (Fig. 112). [Illustration: FIG. 111.--Armour of cuir-bouilli, _c._ 1250.] [Illustration: FIG. 112.--Chapelle-de-fer, _c._ 1280. Figure of Goliath from Add. MS., 11639.] CHAPTER VII CHAIN MAIL REINFORCED, 1250-1325 The special points which distinguish this period are:-- 1. The introduction of Banded Mail. 2. The use of Ailettes. 3. The invention of the Conical Heaume borne by the shoulders. 4. The reinforcement of the Chain Mail by Plate. 5. The development of the Crest. [Illustration: FIG. 113.--Sir John d’Aubernoun, 1277. Stoke d’Aubernoun Church, Guildford, Surrey.]