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PRECIOUS STONES.
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immense quantity of the same kind of treasure was captured at
Cyprus, by Cœur-de-Lion. It may appear incredible that these articles, especially gems, which, from their small size and indestructible nature, could have been easily concealed, should not have eluded their captors ; but it will be remembered that much of the spoil was plundered from besieged towns whence escape was improbable, or was captured on the battle-field, in consequence of the custom of princes to take to the scene of war their most valuable jewels, which were often worn as ornaments during an engagement, as was the case at the battle of Grandson. EQUIPAGE AND ARMOR.
The practice of decorating the trappings of horses, armor,
and royal equipages, though not confined to the East, originated there in very early times, as the Assyrian bas-reliefs at Nineveh prove; and this time-honored fashion is still in vogue among some of the nations of the present day. It was a Roman custom, in use before the Empire, as is shown during the civil war between Metellus and Suetonius, in Spain, when Pompey's life was saved in one of the battles by his richly caparisoned horse. This general, being hard-pressed by the foe, dismounted, and, turning the animal, which was covered with decorated trappings, out among the enemy, made his escape while the soldiers were quarrelling for the booty. It is seen by the numerous collections in the museums that the practice was universal throughout Europe during the Middle Ages ; at a later period, Charles II., of England, ornamented the stirrups of his saddle with three hundred and twenty diamonds, while the palfrey of Mary Queen of Scots was caparisoned with purple velvet, embroidered with pearls, and a bridle richly set with precious stones. The armor of knights, both offensive and defensive, was similarly embellished. |
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