opposition to the policy came from an unexpected quarter, as well as from certain quarters which had historically opposed it

There would be an iron helmet, with protection for the face given by the hinged vizor; body armour of a mixture of chainmail and plate, worn over a thick padded habergeon of cloth or leather; iron gauntlets.

to sluice earth or gold dust in a sluice box in placer mining

[…] and then Father Conroy handed the thurible to Canon O’Hanlon and he put in the incense and censed the Blessed Sacrament […].