1 8 CROSS-LEGGED EFFIGIES IN DORSET. 



which in its turn is a little higher than the hem of the hauberk. 

 From the hip belt is suspended on the left side the long sword, 

 with cross-guard and generally octagonal pomel, while on the 

 right side is the misericorde, a short dagger. The hands are 

 heavily gauntleted. 



The basinets are acutely pointed and worn here without any 

 "ventaille," or visor. The camail at this period was universal, 

 and, although originally worn as a protection for the back of the 

 neck only, has here developed into a close-fitting tippet, and we 

 see clearly on one of the Dorchester effigies the method by 

 which it was laced and secured to the basinet.* The great 

 helms on which the heads of the effigies rest were worn over the 

 basinets, and this is why these basinets have no visors, since that 

 protection for the face was provided for on the great helm itself. 

 This great helm was a massive and ponderous headgear, and 

 slipped right over the basinet until it rested on the shoulders, 

 and its weight was so great that it was only used in the thick of 

 the melee or at the moment of a final charge. These two 

 Dorchester effigies closely resemble each other, and are very 

 good examples of their period, although they suffered somewhat 

 when removed from the north aisle to their present resting- 

 places on window sills in the south aisle, where at any rate they 

 should be safe from further damage. 



They are said, with what seems to be very slight authority, to 

 have been removed from the Priory when that building was 

 demolished, and Hutchins connects them with a Geoffry Vann 

 or Ann, but there is no reliable evidence as to whom they 

 represent ; but I trust that they will not again be pointed out to 

 visitors to Dorchester as "our Crusaders." According to the 

 late Mr. Henry Moule (in his "Dorchester Antiquities," p. 70), 

 " Tradition says that one of the two good effigies in S. Peter's is 

 Vann's. For one thing against this these effigies appear to be 



* The lace by which the camaile was attached to the basinet was until 1390 

 left uncovered, but from about that date and until the camaile ceased to be worn 

 the mode of attachment was covered by an enriched band or plate, which formed 

 part of the basinet. (Boutell.) 



