"Et trouve que l'acier est plus noble chose que l'or, l'argent, le plomb, ne le fer, pour ce que de l'acier, comme du plus noble métail, l'on fait les armeures et les harnois, dont les plus grans du monde se parent, et asseurent leur corps contre la guerre, et autrement, et de l'acier se font les espées, les dagues, et autres glaives, dont les vaillances Se font d'ennemis sur ennemis."—Messire Olivier de la Marche, circa 1490.[1]
You have asked me, dearest Guy, to write an introduction to your book on armour and arms. I do not think that a work of yours on that subject needs any introduction to the public. What you have already written on the Armoury at Windsor Castle, your catalogue of the arms and armour in the Wallace Collection, both of which I consider models of how such work should be done, besides many smaller papers on armour and arms which have appeared at various times, sufficiently prove your great competence in the study of old steel. But as you wish me to write an introduction, I do so with very great pleasure. Your book will, I feel sure, be just what is wanted by all who wish to obtain a comprehensive view of the history and evolution of arms, offensive and defensive, in the Middle Ages. You call it a picture book, but a picture book is exactly what is most needed by the student; especially so complete a one as yours will be, displaying for the first time, by types drawn from innumerable sources, all the varied forms taken by armour and weapons in past times. You and I, who have for years collected photographs, prints, and other documents relating to our favourite study, know how invaluable are these data for getting a true insight into the history of arms. But from what I have seen of the text, I think it will be much more than a picture book, a really valuable and up-to-date study of the subject. You do me the honour to call me your master in that study and I can assure you that I feel proud of my pupil and that it will be a very pleasing thing to me to see my name associated with yours on the title-page of your book.
I well remember how, some twenty-eight years ago, being in the shop of a well known armour dealer, I was told that young Laking, the son of the Physician to the
- ↑ Ed. of Brussels, 1616, p. 651.
