50 The History of the Spur 



and Plate 29A. These forms of spurs were certainly in existence 

 during the latter half of the sixteenth century, and most 

 probably were worn also during the earlier part of the century. 



There are many examples of large rowelled spurs in 

 continental museums, but I did not see so many plain star 

 rowels as there are in England. In the Italian museums, 

 at all events, there were many large rowels of the rose 

 pattern, and some still more ornate. 



The close of the sixteenth century saw a great and decided 

 change in the form of spurs. A fashion came in about that 

 time much more sensible than the preceding, and one which 

 was destined to last, with but little alteration, for a longer 

 period than any other fashion of spur. The huge and 

 ungainly rowels, which had been slowly going out of vogue 

 for some time, now disappeared altogether, and the new form, 

 though they had big rowels as compared with those of modern 

 times — sometimes being as much as two inches in diameter — 

 had nothing ungainly or inconvenient about them. These spurs 

 had one characteristic, which prevailed almost unaltered through- 

 out the seventeenth century: the neck, generally starting from 

 the heel-plate in an upward direction, was then bent sharply 

 downwards, sometimes at almost a right angle and sometimes 

 at an angle more obtuse. A few examples may be seen of 

 the neck being curved downwards, but the necks of the very 

 great majority were bent downwards at a decided angle. 

 These are the spurs which we so often see in our museums 

 arranged upside down. When placed in this incorrect position 

 the general shape of the whole neck somewhat resembles the 



