m752

A reasonable portrayal of Saracen horsemen, from Marinus Sanutus’ Handbook for Crusaders, c. 1321. (Bodleian Library).

numerous swamps and rivers frozen solid. Their white surcoats and mantles must have acted as camouflagę in such a setting, though this was accidental, the white cloak and surcoat having been adopted in i igi in the Holy Land.

The knight illustrated is wearing a pot helmet beneath his coif and wears the white surcoat with the black Latin cross of the Teutonic Order. How-ever, from the form of the surcoat it is obvious that plates, of cuir bouilli, metal or horn, have been incorporated in the materiał to provide an extra body defence.

D2 Hochmeister of the Teutonic Order c .i2ig The Hochmeister wears on his surcoat and mantle a silver-edged cross of the Order. In 1219 the King of Jerusalem granted the Hochmeister the right to

bear the gold cross ofjerusalem under the Order’s black cross, thus creating a gold edge; this figurę is, therefore, 1219 or earlier.

The great hclm is of approximately the same datę. Notę the lacing of the surcoat under the right arm, and gold chain which is fastened to the rear of the helmet at one end, and the waist cord at the other. The Hochmeister holds a lance bearing the banner of the Teutonic Order.

Dj Schwertbriider c. 12jo

This member of the Brethren of the Sword is wearing the morę conical form of great hełm which began to be worn from about 1270. Notę the fitting for a crest. The heater shield he bears was the predominant style of shield by this datę. Surcoats with elbow-length sleeves were common in the