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King Henry VIII - Foot Combat Armour Product History |
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King Henry VIII founded the royal armour workshop
at Greenwich Palace in 1515. Top rank craftsmen were brought in from Germany to
Greenwich and the foot combat armour (reproduced here as a highly accurate metal
miniature) is the first surviving example of their work. The suit is extremely unusual,
encasing the whole of the body in armour and leaving no gaps at all. There are only 2 or 3 other
suits of armour in the world that cover so much of the body. This suit of armour was produced for the King's use at the Field of Cloth of Gold. The original is on display at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London. THE FIELD OF CLOTH OF GOLD Probably the most extravagant tournament ever held was between King Henry VIII of England and the French King Francis I. They met in a show of friendship new Guynes (France) in June 1520, the pomp, splendour and arrogance of which surpassed all. Henry, accompanied by nearly 5000 men and 3000 horses, has a temporary palace constructed of wood, canvas and glass that covered nearly 12,000 square yards. This was surrounded by 2800 other tents. The name 'Field of Cloth of Gold' arose from the fact that both sides boasted sumptuous robes of cloth of gold and even the tents were made of the material. After the tournament they feasted on delicacies such as venison, pike, heron, egret and quail all washed down with spiced wine and such was the flamboyance that even the fountains flowed with wine. The friendship was all superficial and England was soon at war with France again. |
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