Page 245 - Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects

which evolved from the crusades. Laminsted Plates - Small reinforc-
These were the Knights Templars ing plates used to fil1 the gaps or
and the Knights Hospitallers, In protect vital joints in plate armour.
addition to these almost every They were designed to overlap the
country possessed their own Orders principal pieces of armour thus giv-
ing movement in addition to pro-
of Knighthood.
tection.
Knuckle Bow - The curved portion
round the grip of a sword designed Lance - The principal weapon used
to protect the knuckles.
by the Knightly class and the one
most used in the tournament. There
were many types and sizes of lance
and tliey were of various lengths.
Generally the shaft was of plain
lA
wood but at one stage jt was of
melal splayed out towards the
handle to give protection. Behind
Lambriquin or Mantling - A short the harid ho1d it was thickened con-
shoulder length cape designed to siderably to give balance. This type
hang from the top of the helmet for was considerably heavier and neces-
the protection of the head and neck. sitaled the use of a lance rest.
This was brought inlo use during
the crusades as a protection against Lance Rest - With the increased
the sun.
weight of the metal lance ir becanie
necessary to introduce a rest in con-
junction with the armour. Conse-
quently two hook
Lance rest
was reversed, were fastened on the
side of the breastplate. The lance
Mantle or Larnbriquin rested on top of the front hook and
was supported by the rear one, thus
the weight was taken by the body
Lamelllar Armour - Small meral instead of the arm and shoulder.
plates laced together upon a leather
or fabric base. Used extensively in Leg Lames - Articulated plates
the east. used particularly in the leg armour
and in the sabetons.
Lames - The srnall metal plates
laced to Ieather or fabric in certain kgion - A Roman unit consistitig
types or amour. of between 4,500 and 6,000 men.
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