introduction of iron a change in the fashion of the sword became necessary. The hilt grew larger, and the hand was protected by a guard, which was wholly wanting in the short stabbing swords of the Bronze age. The spears, javelins, daggers, and arrows were tipped with iron. Metal helmets were not then worn, but the body was protected sometimes by ring-mail, at others by bronze gorgets, in one example, to be described presently, covered with a thin plate of gold worked in repoussé (Figs. 159, 160). Their shields were round or oblong, made of bronze (Fig. 156) or of wood, with bosses and studs of iron. Some of those of bronze were ornamented with figures of animals, and with studs of red coral, or of enamel, such as Cæsar describes among the Gauls. They possessed also wooden chariots with iron fittings, and their horses wore bronze and iron trappings, ornamented with various designs, sometimes with patterns in blue, red, yellow, and green enamel.[1]
Fig. 156.—Bronze Shield, Giffin Castle, Ayrshire.
- ↑ The principal authorities followed in this account are Kemble and Franks, Horæ Ferales.
