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Fig. 329. Funerary helm
Founded on the lines of those of the latter part of the XIVth century, though in the Author's opinion it is of considerably later date; it would be impossible to wear the helm.
Collections: Herr Franz Thill and S. J. Whawell, Esq.
later, and not earlier, than the helm (Fig. 328). It is instructive to observe that all these fighting helms known to us have, in front, their lower cylindrical plate prolonged upwards in a narrow tongue, which being fastened to the top plate divides the ocularium into two parts. This feature is as a rule absent from helms of this period made for funerary purposes. It will also be seen that the true tilting helm has its lower edge turned under and over a wire, as in the case of the Pembridge helmet, in order that it shall not cut or chafe the surcoat; as otherwise certain movements of the head might render this possible. Our readers should bear in mind that none of the foregoing helms were worn so as to rest upon the shoulders, as was the case of the head-pieces of the same nature of later date which we shall describe in a later chapter; they were placed on the steel cervelière and early bascinet and so hung some little way above the shoulders. To keep the helm rigidly fixed it was wedged into place by an elaborately quilted lining, and was fastened to the backplate and breastplate, or their equivalents, by small chains or straps, such as we have noted as being in position on the monumental slab of Adolf von Sachenhausen in the Kaiser Dom of Frankfort (see Fig. 321). Another feature which is also noticeable in all fighting helms,
