Images from the Tower of London Armouries -- myArmoury.com

Jonathan Hopkins

I recently enjoyed a week in the UK and took a few pictures of items that might be of interest to the myArmoury community. First up is an English armour c.1570. I will follow Manouchehr's model and post a few sets of images per day. Please enjoy and discuss!

Jonathan

Jonathan Hopkins · Posted: Sat 14 Apr, 2007 5:32 pm Post subject:

Next are various unlabeled armours from the late 16th or early 17th centuries. If anyone could elaborate on the details of these it would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Jonathan

Randall Moffett · Posted: Sun 15 Apr, 2007 12:41 am Post subject:

How was the Tower armoury? I have never made it in.... I always spend to much time at the other collections that are there (and free).
Is there alot of arms and armour there? I heard it was more a walk that was the history of the castle, focusing on modern period.
Nice pictures once more. I like seeing these photo journals of everyone's vacations.

RPM

Jonathan Hopkins · Posted: Sun 15 Apr, 2007 7:45 am Post subject:

More impressions and images will be forthcoming in a more formal arena than the forums, so I'll not get into too much detail. I will say, however, that the Tower's exhibition has evolved since I was last there in 2000.

Jonathan

Gordon Frye · Posted: Sun 15 Apr, 2007 8:29 am Post subject:

Jonathan;

Very nice! Thanks for posting these, I really enjoyed the way Manouchehr did his "travelogue" photo's and appreciate that you're following his lead.

I LOVE that garniture of Somerset's! Greenwich armours are always so beautiful to behold, it's a joy to see photo's of them.

I'd make the guess that the last three photo's are of 17th Century armours. They have a somewhat "clunkier" more business-like feel to them, especially the middle three-quarter suit. I would say it's a "Dutch" style suit, and well fitted to the demands of a cuirassier. The upper one is more of an infantry armour (at least judging from the squared-off tassets, but I can well be wrong on that score), but with those very interesting pauldrons I'd guess it early-17th Century as well. The lower one is pretty rough in some ways, so it get's the 17th Century appelation too... Happy

Again, thanks for posting these, and I look forward to seeing more!

Cheers!

Gordon

Jonathan Hopkins · Posted: Mon 16 Apr, 2007 12:33 pm Post subject:

Gordon,
Thank you for your insight! There was so much armour in that room and not a label in sight!

Jonathan

Gordon Frye · Posted: Mon 16 Apr, 2007 7:34 pm Post subject:

Jonathan;

I just came across something today that might actually back-date the third armour you've shown which I suggested was probably 17th Century. The armour I found is a VERY fine reproduction housed in the Royal Dutch Army and Arms Museum, and is a copy of one owned by Mauritz of Nassau, Prince of Orange and made in 1590. They look somewhat similar in style, so could well be from within a very few years of one another. I'll let others make the call for sure, though.

Here's the one you pictured:

And here's the copy of an armour attributed to belonging to Mauritz of Nassau:

And a close-up of the helmet:

At the very least, food for thought, but I would say that both armours are definitely in the Dutch style, but also pretty early for 3/4 suits of armour, too, so late-16th Century may well be the best fit for the one in question.

The site which I found the armour photo's on is of the armourer, a gentleman from Tiblisi, Georgia RU:
http://www.gotscha.nl/uk-armour.htm The guy is phenominal!

Cheers!

Gordon