5 weird armours from history
- Written by Grace Waye-Harris, Early Career Researcher in History, Adelaide University
For the medieval knight, armour was essential. It provided protection on the battlefield and signified status and rank.
As the medieval period came to a close, Renaissance ideals of peace and diplomacy prevailed and the need for battle-hardened knights disappeared. But armour remained an important symbol of elite masculinity, thanks to its association with chivalry, honour and knighthood.
Ceremonial armour became a requisite for noblemen and was worn at events such as tournaments and parade entries. Master craftsmen used techniques such as embossing, engraving and gilding to fashion pieces that wowed audiences and allowed the wearers to transform into heroic and divine beings.
Thankfully, many of these pieces survive – and their stories offer a glimpse into Renaissance society. Spoiler alert: it was a little weird.
Henry VIII’s horned helmet (circa 1512–14)
Of all the armour that survives from the Renaissance period, Henry VIII’s horned helmet is arguably the weirdest.
This helmet was a diplomatic gift from the Emperor Maximilian I in 1514. Its strange features – including a ram’s horns, a grotesque face and gold spectacles – have perplexed historians for centuries.
In Henry’s time, ram’s horns symbolised the devil or a cuckold (a man whose wife has slept with someone else). Grotesque faces and spectacles (or glasses) were associated with the appearance of a fool. Historians have not been able to explain why one monarch would gift such a piece to another.
However, my recent research shows that the strange features on Henry’s helmet are reflective of the Greek myth, Jason and the Golden Fleece, and the medieval chivalric order the myth inspired, the Order of the Golden Fleece.
When viewed through the lens of chivalry and humanism, Henry’s peculiar helmet goes from being something seemingly grotesque, to a highly valued object of kingly power and authority.
Not so weird after all.
The Lion Sallet (circa 1475–80)
This lion sallet is the oldest surviving example of all’antica (antique style) armour from the Renaissance.
It’s interesting because it demonstrates the new trend of zoomorphic or animalistic armour. These pieces depicted animals ranging from foxes, to roosters, to eagles, and dolphins. The wearer was given the opportunity to embody the virtues and power of the animal represented.
The lion was the most popular as it was associated with the Greek hero Hercules, and the virtues of courage, bravery and strength. When adorning the lion sallet, the wearer would figuratively transform into Hercules – the Renaissance version of “activating beast mode”.
The armour of Henry II’s horse (circa 1490–1500)
Zoomorphic armours weren’t just the preserve of warriors. Horses could also unlock beast mode with mystical armours such as this dragon-shaped shaffron. Shaffrons were an integral part of a horse’s armour and provided protection to their face and head.
Due to its symbolic significance, the dragon shaffron was likely used for tournaments or civic entries. Dragons were important creatures in Renaissance culture because they blended classical mythology with Christian theology. According to legend, St George famously defeated a dragon who was terrorising a town, before converting the townspeople to Christianity.
Dragons also held special value in French Renaissance literature with mythical creatures such as Guivre and Tarasque said to have been tamed by early Christian saints.
When worn, the dragon shaffron reflected the Henry II’s commitment to defend the Christian church.
The Shaffron (Horse’s Head Defense) of Henry II of France was likely used for tournaments or civic entries.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Elephant Armour (circa 1600–1700)
If you aren’t from India or Asia, the idea of war elephants, or the “elephantry”, may seem strange. Yet elephants played an essential role in ancient and medieval warfare on the Asian continent. The elephant armour currently held by the Royal Armouries in Leeds is a poignant reminder of this.
This 17th century piece originates from India but was procured by Henriette Clive, the Countess of Powis, while her husband was Governor of Madras. The armour consists of a face and neck guard and body panels. It is also highly decorated (suggesting ceremonial use) with embossed lotus flowers, fish and peacocks – auspicious symbols in Indian culture.
A rare surviving example of a suit of mail and plate elephant armour.
Royal Armouries, CC BY-NC-ND
Luckily for elephants, changes to warfare in the Early Modern Period meant their use in combat declined. Elephants were, however, still used by military forces as labour well into the 20th century, particularly during the first world war and the Vietnam War.
The Landsknecht costume armour (1523)
At first glance, this piece looks like a beautiful garment with puffed sleeves, slashed cloth and ornate embroidery. What makes it weird is that it’s entirely made of steel.
Little is known about the motive or making of the Landsknecht armour (so-called because it mimics the style of dress worn by german landsknecht mercenaries). Historians do know it dates to 1523 and is attributed to Kolman Helmschmid, a master armourer from Augsburg, in modern day Germany.
Little is known about the Landsknecht costume armour of military commander Wilhelm von Rogendorf.
Wikimedia, CC BY
The armour itself tells us its owner, Austrian military commander Wilhelm von Rogendorf, must have been a giant. The suit fits someone well over 6 foot 3 inches which, in the 16th century, would have made him a formidable presence.
The piece is fashioned in the male style courtly dress, with Helmschmid skilfully emulating layers of voluminous textiles and tailoring techniques such as draping, slashing and embroidery, all from steel.
While peculiar to the modern eye, these pieces demonstrate the profound symbolic significance of armour in Renaissance society. Far from weird, armour was high culture, kingly power and fine art.
Authors: Grace Waye-Harris, Early Career Researcher in History, Adelaide University
Read more https://theconversation.com/5-weird-armours-from-history-273580
