An historical and political discourse of the laws and government of England - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1739 Excerpt: ... of Armour that defends the breast, or forepart of £jTM6-lib'8' the body; and sometimes is made of plates of Iron, of which sort I conceive those of the old Germans were, (whereof the Historian maketh mention, paucis lorica, he faith the Germans had few Arms of defence of Tacitus, their foreparts, and fewer Helmets or Head-pieces) for otherwise, if they had Iron defences for their heads, they would not have been content with defences made of Leather for their fore-parts, as in the first rude times £luv"'t: rr' they they might have been. Sometimes it is made of links of Iron, and commonly is called a Coat of Mail; but I conceive it cannot be so meant in the assessments of Henry the Second, and Henry the Third, because that those of the second degree are said that they ought to keep Haubergettum, or Halburgellum, or Haubertum j all which are but several dialects of one name, and ai e taken for a Coat of Mail: and therefore by the diversity of names in one and the fame assessment, I do conclude that the Armour was not of one and the fame fashion. But it is evident, that by Hauberk in the assessment of the Statute at Wint. is meant a Coat of Mail, and is-never taken for a Breast-plate or Gorget, as hath been taken upon trust by some that build more weighty conclusions upon that weak principle, than it is able to bear: and for the truth hereof, as the word is a French word, so I appeal to all French Authors, and shall not trouble the Reader with the notation of the word, or further about the meaning thereof. In the last place, as great mistake is that also of the word Shapel defer, which is taken by some to betoken a Breastplate of Iron: For the truth whereof, the Reader may consider the Latin word Capellum, or Capelletum, and he shall find that i...