The surcoat, originally introduced by the crusaders to 

 protect them from the heat occasioned by the sun shining 

 on their metal covering, is first seen in the beginning of the 

 12th century ; at which time, if the figures in an illuminated 

 psalter are properly ascribed to this date, the first coverings 

 for the hands are seen. These coverings were afterwards 

 gradually transformed to the gauntlets, or gloves, of steel 

 plates. 



The first saddle-cloth appears in the great seal of Henry I. 



The cross-bow, a quarrel or shaft from which proved 

 fatal to that monarch, was introduced in the reign of 

 Kichard I. 



With Richard I. commences the more complete protec- 

 tion of the face, by means of a moveable plate, on hinges, 

 with apertures for the sight and for air ; and in the reign of 

 his successor, John, we first find plates of metal, or of boiled 

 leather (the courbully of Chaucer), covering the elbows. 

 This gave greater latitude of motion, and soon after we find 

 the knees similarly protected. Gradually through the reigns 

 of Edward I., II., and III., we see more and more plates 

 for the protection of the various parts of the body. A series 

 of scales or plates protected and allowed motion to the 

 shoulder; inflexible plates extended to the elbow, and from 

 below the elbow to the wrist. The legs were cased in plates, 

 and curious little wings, called ailettes, added to the 

 shoulders, kept the blows from falling on the neck and 

 endangering the life of the wearer. Perhaps no more 

 beautiful or graceful specimen of armour of this period 

 exists than that on the monument of Edward the Black 

 Prince, at Canterbury, which shows a very near approach 

 to the complete plate armour, which commences with the 

 reign of Henry IV. 



SEVENTH MEETING. 



ROYAL INSTITUTION, January 26th, 1846. 



The PRESIDENT in the Chair. 



Mr. Joseph Boult was admitted a Member. 



A copy of Lieut. Lord's " Telegraphic Vocabulary" 

 •was presented by the Author. The Secretary was directed 

 to return the thanks of the Society for the donation. 



