to several alterations, but taken generally it gives a good idea of the original construction of the Framlingham helm.
We shall finally mention in this chapter what we term bascinet-helms, that series of head-pieces the use of which was restricted to the knight fighting on foot en champ clos. On examining the illustrations, it will become evident how eminently their construction served their purpose. We will first take what is known as the Capel helm, now in the Metropolitan Museum of New York (Fig. 492, a, b). Very spacious, it allowed perfect freedom to the head of the combatant. The large visor is pierced with more than two hundred and fifty small apertures, which assisted the respiration of the wearer and allowed him to see clearly. This egg-shaped helm, free from any projections or indentations, offered but a smooth surface to the point of an antagonist's sword or pole arm. The base of the head-piece and the visor are extremely thick, and the remainder of the helm comparatively light. The hinges and pivots were placed beneath the visor, sheltered from blows; when the visor was lowered it was fixed by a spring button, which is now lacking, though its position can still be seen. At the sides of the head-piece are holes, edged with brass, through which passed the aiglettes which held in position the cap, alluded to on pages 136 and 137; the helmet was firmly fixed to the breast- and backplates by means of holes which are found near the base. This helm came from the collection of the Baron de Cosson, and later was in that of Signor Ressman; it was engraved and described in "Ancient Helmets and Examples of Mail" by de Cosson and Burges (London, 1881), in "The Capels of Rayne Hall," by de Cosson (London, 1883), and also in the "Archaeological Journal." In 1840 the old church of Rayne, Essex, was demolished, and this helm, which up to that time had rested over the monument erected in the church to Sir Giles Capel, was, together with another helmet and some old iron work, sold to the builder of the new church, in whose yard these specimens lay for many years, until a lady of the neighbourhood, Madame Courtauld Arendrup, attracted by them, purchased them, and so saved them from possible destruction. Madame Arendrup presented the helm to the Baron de Cosson to be added to his collection of arms and armour. The other helmet that came with this helm was of Elizabethan type, of interest solely on account of its association with the Capel family. The same church of Rayne used to contain two other helmets in the belfry tower, which, however, were sold before the old church was pulled down. One is now in the Saffron Walden Museum, and the other is the armet now in the collection of Mr. W. G. Keasby (Fig. 445F). All
