Manifer from the armour garniture of Henry VIII for the field and tilt (RCIN 72834.i)

A manifer is a gauntlet worn on the left hand, which holds the reins of the horse during the tilt (joust). It takes its name from the French main de fer meaning 'hand of iron'. While providing firm protection, this carefully-designed example also permits a considerable degree of movement. This is made possible by seven pieces of overlapping metal covering the hand, fingers, and thumb and linked by pivoting rivets and internal leather straps. The two lowest pieces covering the fingers have been boxed to prevent them from opening too far and leaving an unprotected gap.