This breastplate for the Mechanisches Rennen (Mechanical Tournament) was designed by Emperor Maximillian I. A segmented metal plate originally covered the visible mechanism, which..when hit by a lance, would burst apart and fall away...preventing the rider from getting seriously hurt. A rather ingeniously designed device which would have been approved by OSHA today. (For my overseas viewers that would be the 'Occupational Safety and Health Administration', a necessary but rather nightmarish, nasty part of every American company's existence) The lancehead shown on the right is another design by Maximillian I and shows a blunter version of real war lances. The tournament breastplate is part of the: WALLACE COLLECTION at Hertford House in London/England and the lancehead is part of the: Royal Armouries in Leeds/England.