as employed for the conveyance of persons and goods in time of peace,
and baggage during war. With its name are connected the modern French
_banne, banneton, vannerie_ and _panier_,--all indicating basket-work.

The ancient Britons used a car for warlike purposes which was evidently
new to the Romans. It was open in front, instead of at the back as in
their cars; and the pole, which went straight out between the horses,
was broad, so that the driver could walk along, and if needful drive
from the end. Above all, it possessed a seat, and was called _essedum_
from this peculiarity. For war purposes this car was provided with
scythes projecting from the ends of the axle-trees. Cicero, writing to a
friend in Britain, remarks "that there appeared to be very little worth
bringing away from Britain except the chariots, of which he wished his
friend to bring him one as a pattern."

The Roman vehicles were sometimes very splendidly ornamented with gold
and precious stones; and covered carriages seem more and more to have
become appendages of Roman pomp and magnificence. Sumptuary laws were
enacted on account of the public extravagance, but they were little
regarded, and were altogether abrogated by the emperor Alexander
Severus. Suetonius states that Nero took with him on his travels no less
than a thousand carriages.

On the introduction of the feudal system the use of carriages was for
some time prohibited, as tending to render the vassals less fit for
military service. Men of all grades and professions rode on horses or
mules, and sometimes the monks and women on she-asses. Horseback was the
general mode of travelling; and hence the members of the council, who at
the diet and on other occasions were employed as ambassadors, were
called _Rittmeister_. In this manner also great lords made their public
entry into cities.

Covered carriages (see COACH) were known in the beginning of the 15th
century, but their use was confined to ladies of the first rank; and as
it was accounted a reproach for men to ride in them, the electors and
princes sometimes excused their non-attendance at meetings of the state
by the plea that their health would not permit them to ride on
horseback. Covered carriages were for a long time forbidden even to
women; but about the end of the 15th century they began to be employed
by the emperor, kings and princes in journeys, and afterwards on state
occasions. In 1474 the emperor Frederick III. visited Fran