given in the Archaeological Journal, vol. xxi, p. 60, to say: "The rivets are curiously composed of three metals, iron, white metal, and brass." But it will be found that most armour of this epoch that is riveted with what appear to be brass rivets is actually riveted with iron, over the heads of which a thin covering of brass is soldered. The front plate of the helm, under the opening that forms the ocularium, has been rolled back for about one inch to give it additional strength; while the upper plate is reinforced just above the opening by a strong piece riveted inside it. There are four pairs of twin aiglette holes in the crown for holding up the lining, which, at its lower edge, was secured by rivets which appear round the neck. Two inches below the most salient point at the back of the helm is a hole with a screw thread which probably served to secure the crest. There are eight holes punched just behind the line of rivets on each side of the helm. These, which are most roughly executed, were probably made for ventilation after the helm was finished. The arrangement for fixing the helm to the breast- and back-plates by means of large pierced hinges is very complete, showing a distinct advance on the other tilting helms described.
Before we deal with the essentially German helm of the Wallace Collection we will allude to a splendid head-piece that has much in common with the Brocas helm. Formerly in the Meyrick Collection, it is now in the Bargello at Florence, having been bequeathed to that museum with other portions of his collection by the late Signor Ressman (Fig. 459). When the Meyrick Collection was sold, about 1875, certain of the finest pieces were disposed of privately, among others being the helm in question. It was purchased by the famous antiquary, M. Louis Carrand, in whose collection it remained many years. Signor Ressman coveted this superb helm, but could not give the price asked. Eventually, however, he became possessed of it by exchanging for it the English made tilting helm (see page 140, Fig. 480) now to be seen in the Carrand Collection, Florence, and certain other objects. There is no record of how and when Sir Samuel Meyrick purchased it. In our opinion, it is possibly English made; though from the grandeur of its contour it must undoubtedly be German in conception. It differs a little from the Brocas helm, being somewhat higher in the crown, and having down either side a series of circular and oblong apertures for the purposes of hearing and for attaching the straps that held the inside cap in position. It has lost the hinge in front, the means of its attachment to the breastplate; but the seven rivet holes by which it was secured are to be seen.
The present writer thinks that the helm from Petworth Church, Sussex
