The heralds had made the usual proclamation against the use of
magic, unlawful charms, and other like devices of the devil, when a loud
flourish of trumpets announced the approach of Stanley, who first
entered the lists mounted on a grey charger furnished with the chevron,
or war-saddle, then of great use in withstanding the terrific shock of
the assailant, being high up in front, and furnished at the back like an
arm-chair. He was equipped in a full suit of Italian armour, displaying
a steel cuirass of exquisite workmanship, deemed at that time a novel
but elegant style of defence, and destined soon to supersede the
purpoint or gamboised work called mail. If well tempered, it was found
to resist the stroke of the lance without being either pierced or bent,
nor was it liable to be pushed through into the body, as was sometimes
the case with the "_mailles_" when the wambas or hoketon was wanting
underneath. His shield was thus marshalled: argent; on a bend azure,
three stags' heads cabossed. In the sinister chief, a crescent denoted
his filiation; underneath was the motto "Augmenter." The shield itself
or pavise was large, made of wood covered with skin, and surrounded with
a broad rim of iron.
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