could be raised independently of the ventail by the provision of a projecting lifting peg. At the same time, on most helmets, the base of the bevor and the lower edge of the skull had laminated gorget plates attached. Crests, running from front to back tended to become taller in the course of the 16th century, becoming particularly exaggerated in some Italian-made examples, before becoming reduced in size at the century's close. There are many helmets surviving with 'grotesque' visors. These are thought to have been used as part of a 'costume armour' worn at parades and during festivities. Some of these masks portrayed the heads of animals or demons, whilst others were evidently for comic effect, being caricatures of the faces of their owners. Use The close helmet was used on the field of battle, but was also popular for use in tournaments. Wealthy men often owned "garnitures", which were armours with interchangeable parts ("pieces of exchange") to suit heavy or light field use, and the many different forms of tournament combat. Garnitures would usually include elements for reinforcing the left side of the helmet for use in jousting. Such reinforcing pieces were called "double pieces" or "pieces of advantage". References Bibliography Gravett, Christopher (2006) Tudor Knight. Osprey Publishing, London. Oakeshott, Ewart (2000) European Weapons and Armour. From Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution. The Boydell Press, Woolbridge. Further reading Edge, David. Arms and Armour of the Medieval Knight. London: Bison Books, 1988 Wallace Collection Catalogue. European arms and Armour Vol. 1: Armour. Medieval helmets Helmets Western plate armour pl:Przyłbica