Helm, or Helmet.
The Helmet is always placed on the top of the escutcheon, and varies in form and material, according to the rank of the bearer. The Royal helmet is represented of gold: it stands affrontée, and is guarded with six bars, bailes, or grilles. The helmet of Dukes and Marquises also stands affrontée, and is made of steel, guarded with five bars of gold. That of Earls, Viscounts, and Barons is of silver, garnished with gold: it is represented in profile, and is guarded with ten steel bars, half of which number is visible. Baronets and Knights have their helmets of steel, garnished with silver: it stands affrontée, and has the visor or beaver thrown open.
Fig. 185.
The helmet assigned to Esquires and Gentlemen is of steel; it is represented in profile, with the visor closed. Fig. 185.
The Bascinet is a close-fitting helmet, without a visor, and is occasionally, though very rarely, used as a charge.
A very effective and becoming form of helmet, adapted for an achievement of arms, is that which was generally used at tournaments—styled a tilting-helmet, or salette—and is represented at Figs. 189 and 190.
