Authorised Guide to the Tower of LondonLoftie, W. J. (William John)
History
Authorised Guide to the Tower of London
Loftie, W. J. (William John)
Tower of London (London, England) -- Guidebooks
The next equestrian figure (IV) shows the fluted, or as it was called
crested, armour, of about 1500. The horse armour is also fluted. On the
right, in the centre of the room, are two armours which belonged to
Henry VIII. Of these the first (XXVIII) is that formerly described as
"rough from the hammer," though it has been milled or _glazed_ and
no hammer marks are visible. It is a complete suit for fighting on
foot in the lists, and comfort and ability to move about, have been
sacrificed to perfect protection. The suit weighs about 93 lbs., and
is composed of no less than 235 separate pieces of metal. Some details
of construction point to a Spanish influence in the style. The second
figure (XXIX), which wants the leg armour, is of the kind known as a
tonlet, and has a skirt of horizontal lames engraved. The helmet bears
the well-known stamp of the Missaglia family of armourers, and is very
curious and massive. This armour is also for fighting on foot in
_champ clos_ or the lists.
The next suit (VI) on the left is one of Henry VIII, and has been parcel
gilt; the weight of the man's armour is 81 lbs. The two foot figures are
those of a horseman and an officer of foot, both of Henry's time. The
first bears on it Nuremberg marks; the second has an engraving of the
Crucifixion on the left breast. The next equestrian figure (VII), also
of Henry VIII, much resembles the last, and has at its feet extra pieces
for the tilt yard. Other extra pieces which might be worn with these two
suits are in the Royal Armoury at Windsor Castle.
The suit (V) on the equestrian figure in the middle of the room is
one of the finest in existence. It was made by Conrad Seusenhofer,
one of a family of Augsburg armourers, and given in 1514 to Henry VIII
by the Emperor Maximilian. The man's armour is engraved with roses,
pomegranates, portcullises, and other badges of Henry VIII and his
first queen Katharine of Arragon, and has on the metal skirt which
imitates the cloth _bases_ of the time the letters H and K. The horse
armour, probably made afterwards in England by one of Henry's German
armourers, is also covered with engraving, and has panels on which are
depicted scenes from the life and death of St. George and St. Barbara,
both military saints. The whole armour was formerly washed with silver,
of which some traces still remain.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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