They, too, are in the Tower of London Collection. The earlier and finer specimen (Fig. 499) can safely be assigned to the end of the first quarter of the XVIth century. Its workmanship is excellent and its form good. It will be noticed that the entire front portion of the skull-piece is reinforced by a heavy additional plate, as in the case of XVth century armets. Although the visor, unlike that of the ordinary tilting helm, cannot be lifted, it can be detached by means of the pin and rivet fastening, as in the case of the Nevill helm (see page 150, Fig. 489). There is a separate gorget plate, which is of ample proportions. At the base, in the centre, are the four holes by which it was attached to the breastplate. The history of this particular helm is unknown, save that it came in 1848 from the Duke of Buckingham's collection at Stowe; but, judged by the condition of its surface, which is deeply pitted with rust in a fashion always associated with the incrustations found upon helmets that have been exposed in churches, we imagine that it must at one time have been set up over a tomb.
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Fig. 499. Helm
Early XVIth century. From Stowe; Tower of London, Class IV, No. 1
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Fig. 500. Helm
Middle of XVIth century Tower of London, Class IV, No. 2
The other helm (Fig. 500) is also from an unknown source, though it appears in the inventories for the years 1660, 1676, and 1688. In the 1611 inventory it is perhaps the one noted as being at Greenwich "In Mr. Pickering's workhouse," "one greate Head-peece remayning of old." In the 1660 inventory it figures as "Great Hearce of John of Gaunt's—one." In 1676 it figures with the same fabulous attribution: "Hearse or Large Headpece of John of Gauntes." In the valuation and inventory of 1688 it is described and valued "Hearse or Long Headpece of John a Gaunts . . . £10." The skull-piece is sound in construction and good in form; but its large bevor
