We now come to the Double-chain Mail, consisting of interlaced rings, which made its first appearance in the triumphant reign of Edward I. It is said to be of Asiatic invention, and was composed of four rings within a fifth, each of which was rivetted. Single-chain mail was worn by the Crusaders, in Henry III’s time; and when the number of rings was doubled, it became double-chain mail.  Its great advantages were compactness and pliability.  Horses were now clothed in mail.

In the latter part of Edward III.’s reign, the double-chain mail became so covered with pieces of steel as to cause them in a little time to supersede it altogether.  This, therefore, was termed mixed.  The double-chain hauberk had been found, owing to its weight, to press injuriously upon the chest; to remedy which, a breastplate of steel was contrived, which being placed underneath, kept the mail from pressing upon the stomach.  The throat was protected by a chain-covering that surrounded the neck, and hung down to the shoulders like a tippet.

We now come to Plate Armour.  In Henry IV.’s reign, the adoption of the mixed armour soon pointed out, by experience, the inutility of retaining the ringed hauberk.  The thighs and legs were no longer covered with double-chain mail, and the arms only partially.  A back-plate was added, which, with the breast-plate, formed a cuirass.  During the use of mixed armour, the arms, thighs, knees, and legs were covered with plates of metal; and for the hands were invented gloves of plate, with fingers, called gauntlets.

From the Conquest to the time of Richard III., the fashion was to ride with the toes down; after which period, the heel was dropped, and the toe raised.  Spurs were not screwed to the armour before the time of Henry V.

No higher degree of perfection was ever attained in armour than during the reign of Richard III.  The outline of the suit was most elegant, the workmanship most elaborate, and the choice of ornaments full of taste.

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MANNERS AND CUSTOMS.

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CHRISTMAS AT HEREFORD.

In the county of Hereford, some of the Romish and feudal ceremonies are yet practised.  On the eve of Old Christmas-day, there are thirteen fires lighted in the cornfields of many of the farms, twelve of them in a circle, and one round a pole, much larger and higher than the rest, and in the centre.  These fires are dignified with the names of the Virgin Mary and twelve Apostles, the lady being in the middle; and while they are burning, the labourers retire into some shed or outhouse, where they behold the brightness of the apostolic flame.  In this shed they lead a cow, on whose horns a large plum-cake has been stuck, and having assembled round the animal, the oldest labourer takes a pail of cider, and addresses the following lines to the cow with great solemnity: