=The Studded and Splintered Armour Period.=--This form of armour directly owes its introduction to the conflicts between the English and French, and the ideas for improvement which were prompted by actual experience on the battlefield. The style was none other than a piecing together of the best features of chain mail, plate, and cuir-bouilli. The bascinets of this time were unusual, having much the appearance of metal hoods, provided or not provided with visors. The surcoat and the chausses were essential features of the period. =The Camail and Jupon Period.=--This is probably one of the most interesting and picturesque periods in the history of armour. The headgear was usually pointed and fitted down closely over the ears, but left the face free. Laced to the helmet and falling over the shoulders was a plastron of camail which protected the throat and neck from violence. The jupon was a garment which covered the body from the camail to just above the knees. It consisted of whatever material the wearer thought was the most impervious to blows, with, usually, a velvet covering, embroidered with a heraldic device. =The Surcoatless Period= is easily recognized, as it was the earliest period in which a full set of armour was worn with no textile covering placed over it.[9] A feature of note was the loss of the camail throat-guard and the introduction of a light sheet-metal gorget. The camail was, undoubtedly, an efficient safeguard, but it was extremely weighty and so caused much inconvenience to the wearer. [9] Ashdown, "British and Foreign Arms and Armour," p. 194. =The Tabard Period= saw the introduction of many changes, which had for their object the greater protection of the armoured soldier; but the most distinguishing feature was the arrival of the tabard, a kind of sleeved surcoat, which covered the wearer down to the knees. It was of no fighting value, but gave dignity to those who displayed it. The salade also belongs to this period, both those with and those without visors, as well as the pauldron, a protection for the elbow, and the palette, which shielded the underneath portion of the shoulder-joint.