Gauntlet for the left hand. It has a short, wide cuff, which is slightly pointed and bordered with seven rivets, one of which is missing. The back of the hand is covered by six plates. The knuckle plate are scalloped and indented for the fingers, and retain traces of the leather to which they were attached. In the 1500s 'mercury-' or 'fire-gilded' armours became fashionable. Mercury gives off poisonous fumes, so the gilder's life was usually a short one. Gilders were also paid far less than any other craftsmen in the armour workshop, just over 3 shillings a year compared with £10 for labourers or apprentices.
