ts.

BASINET (a diminutive of "basin"), a form of helmet or headpiece. The
original small basinet was a light open cap, with a peaked crown. This was
used alternately to, and even in conjunction with, the large heavy heaume.
But in the latter half of the 13th century the basinet was developed into a
complete war head-dress and replaced the heaume. In this form it was larger
and heavier, had a vizor (though not always a pivoted vizor like that of
the later armet), and was connected with the gorget by a "camail" or mail
hood, the head and neck thus being entirely covered. It is always to be
recognized by its peaked crown. The word is spelt in various forms,
"bassinet," "bascinet," "bacinet," or "basnet." The form "bassinet" is used
for the hooded wicker cradle or perambulator for babies.

BASINGSTOKE, a market-town and municipal borough of Hampshire, England, 48
m. W.S.W. from London by the London & South-Western railway; served also by
a branch of the Great Western railway. Pop. (1901) 9793. The church of St
Michael and All Angels is a fine specimen of a late Perpendicular building
(principally of the time of Henry VIII.). The chapel of the Holy Ghost is a
picturesque ruin, standing in an ancient cemetery, built for the use of the
local gild of the Holy Ghost which was founded in 1525, but flourished for
less than a century. Close to the neighbouring village of Old Basing are
remains of Basing House, remarkable as the scene of the stubborn opposition
of John, fifth marquess of Winchester, to Cromwell, by whom it was taken
after a protracted siege in 1645. A castle occupied its site from Norman
times. Numerous prehistoric relics have been discovered in the district,
and a large circular encampment is seen at Winklebury Hill. Basingstoke has
considerable agricultural trade, and brewing, and the manufacture of
agricultural implements, and of clothing, are carried on. The Basingstoke
canal, which connects the town with the river Wey and so with the Thames,
was opened about 1794, but lost its trade owing to railway competition. It
was offered for sale by auction unsuccessfully in 1904, but was bought in
1905. The municipal borough is under a mayor, four aldermen and twelve
councillors. Area, 4195 acres.

Basingstoke is a town of great antiquity, and excavations have brought to
light undoubted traces of Roman occupation. The first recorded historical
event relating to the town is a victory won here by Aethelred and Alfred
ove