Manouchehr;

President John F. Kennedy said of Washington, DC, that it is "A town of Northern Charm and Southern Efficiency". Since Northern towns are not known for their charm, and the American South is not renowned for it's efficiency, I suspect he was pretty close to the mark there. :D It does, however, have some absolutely wonderful museums!

Per Henri IV, he was, prior to his being crowned King of France, Henri de Bourbon, King of Navarre, AKA and better known to history as "Henri of Navarre". He was the leader of the Protestant Cause in France during the later stages of the French Wars of Religion (1562-1598), but as he could stave off defeat, but not conquer the crown with the sword, abjured to Roman Catholicism in order to gain the throne. He is purported to have said "Paris is worth a Mass", i.e. it's worth becoming a Catholic in order to gain Paris, and with it, the Crown. He was an amiable fellow and a gallant soldier, an expert at invovative cavalry tactics, and about the only general who ever managed to best the Prince of Parma (Phillip II of Spain's man in the Netherlands, and probably the finest general of the 16th Century) at his own game. His son and heir was Louis XIII, and daughter was Henrietta, wife of Charles I of England.

I hope that is of some help,

Cheers!

Gordon

Gordon,

Thank you very much my friend for the explanation.

Regards

Manoucehhr

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Manouchehr,

Thanks for posting your photos from the NMAI. I have travelled to the Washington, DC area numerous times, since my parents live nearby, in Northern Virginia. I have been meaning to visit this museum ever since Bill Grandy wrote his fine "Visitor's Experience" article. However, on my last two trips to the area, I have driven my car directly past this museum, and did not have the opportunity to go inside. Your photos remind me of what I am missing! I am determined to see it next time!

I absolutely love swords like this:

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Some golden pieces. Look at the work.

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Soem native American weapons. Look at the obsidian blades.

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I really love tomahawks. They are one of my favorite axes. Really nice.

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An American or European military sword ? with native scabbard.

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Thank you Manouchehr for sharing more pictures!

Those last three gold peices probably came from either Costa Rica, Panama, or Columbia. Although I recently took a class on archaeology of this region, I can't remeber the name of that particular style of goldwork.

The Maya never worked in gold. Any historic use of gold by the Maya would have come through trade.