Page:A record of European armour and arms through seven centuries (Volume 4).djvu/354

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in Kent, who was created a Knight by James I in 1603, and a Baronet in 1611.

Fig. 1389. Schiavona basket hilt

Venetian, of the XVIIth century Collection: Mr. F. Joubert

Fig. 1390. Rapier hilt

Flemish, of the early XVIIth century Wallace Collection (Laking Catalogue, No. 415)

The true Schiavona, from which, as far as we are able to judge, all hilts of the later basket types were evolved, is far more protective in its basket guard than is the case with any of its descendants. Though more protective, the very completeness of its knuckle and finger defence rendered the play with it somewhat limited, for with the hand completely encased within its basket certain manipulations of the blade were impossible. This must have been the case even with the basket hilts of the English broad-*sword, for such hilts are occasionally met with from which the outside bars of the basket have been purposely broken away in order that the hand within might be less hampered, and freer movement of the wrist possible. The difference between the basket hilt of the Schiavona and the contemporary