CHAP. XII.] 



ARMS AND EQUIPAGE. 



427 



introduction of iron a change in the fashion of the sword 

 became necessary. The hilt grew larger, and the hand 

 was protected by a guard, which was wholly wanting 

 in the short stabbing swords of the Bronze age. The 

 spears, javelins, daggers, and arrows were tipped with 

 iron. Metal helmets were not then worn, but the body 

 was protected sometimes by ring-mail, at others by 

 bronze gorgets, in one example, to be described pre- 

 sently, covered with a thin plate of gold worked in 

 repousse (Figs. 159, 160). Their shields were round or 



FIG. 156. Bronze Shield, Giffiu Castle, Ayrshire. 



oblong, made of bronze (Fig. 156) or of wood, with 

 bosses and studs of iron. Some of those of bronze were 

 ornamented with figures of animals, and with studs of 

 red coral, or of enamel, such as Caesar describes among 

 the Gauls. They possessed also wooden chariots with 

 iron fittings, and their horses wore bronze and iron 

 trappings, ornamented with various designs, sometimes 

 with patterns in blue, red, yellow, and green enamel. 1 



1 The principal authorities followed in this account are Kemble and 

 Franks, Ilorce Feralcs. 



