64 JOURNAL OF JOHN ASTON, 1639 



The quality and nature of the observations set down by 

 the diarist show him to have been an observant and educated 

 man, as well as the companion and associate of gentlemen 

 of standing. 



Aston's Journal may be carefully compared with the parallel 

 Journal of the Earl of Rutland, written in the months of 

 March, April and May of 1639, printed in the Twelfth Report 

 of the Historical MSS. Commission, Appendix iv., pp. 504-516, 

 with Notes of the Treaty carried on at Rijjon between King 

 Charles I. and the Covenanters of Scotland A.D. 164-0, printed 

 by the Camden Society ; and also with Sir William Brereton's 

 Journey through Durham and Northumberland, in 1635, in 

 Richardson's Reprints of Rare Tracts. 



Mr Aston's armour comprised a cask, i.e. casque or helmet, 

 a gorget, or defence for the neck ; a culet or culettes, the 

 overlapping plates from the waist to the hip which protected 

 the back of the knight as the tuilles protected the front of 

 the body (here the term appears to apply to the front part 

 as well) ; pauldrons or shoulder pieces on plate armour ; 

 vambrace, or armour which covered the right arm from the 

 elbow to the wrist ; cuisses or armour for the thighs. 



The journal, first printed in my volume of Six North 

 Country Diaries published by the Surtees Society as Vol. cxviii. 

 of their series, is now reprinted, with the consent of the Council 

 of that Society, at the special request of the Club. 



J. C. HODGSON. 



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