Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries (16 January 1896). He accounts for the broad band which runs round the base of the head-piece in the following manner: "As regards the metal encircling band, I think there is reason to suppose it was an addition specially supplied to suit the convenience of the wearer. In a MS. describing the armour worn in the middle of the XVth century, which is quoted by Réné de Belleval in his Costume Militaire, it is laid down that the summit of a jousting helm shall be rounded and a space the breadth of three fingers left between the top of the wearer's head and the dome. Evidently, when Sir William tried on his new head-piece he found, either that this condition had not been complied with or else that the position of the ocularium did not suit the line of sight; for the band was (presumably) added, and had the effect of lifting up the lower edge a good inch and a half on either shoulder."
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Fig. 478. Helm
English, early XVIth century. Now hanging over the tomb of Sir William Barentyn Haseley Church, Oxfordshire
The Wallace helm, No. 78 (Fig. 479), differs a little in construction from the Barentyn example, being formed of two plates only. The skull-piece and back part are formed of one piece, and the front part of another plate, the two being riveted together down the sides, and flanged over at the top on either side for a distance of six inches, where the fastening is made with four more rivets. The ocularium is formed by the gap between the two plates. Mr. Billson's suggestion as to the origin of the band round the lower edge of the Barentyn helm is greatly strengthened by a comparison of the
