You may have to register before you can download all our books and magazines, click the sign up button below to create a free account.
"The history of England records no more charismatic figure than King Henry VIII. His reign reveals an intriguing amalgam of the old and the new, and during it his kingdom emerged as a power to be reckoned with. He was fascinated by weapons and armour, taking a personal interest in their design and manufacture. Henry's impact upon the Royal Armouries' collection is immense. The arms and armour made for him, his personal guard and his army still form the core of the collection. This book is part of a series of introductions to aspects of the Royal Armouries' collection of arms and armour, written by specialists in the field and packed with fascinating information and stunning photography."--woodslane.com.au.
Treasures of the Royal Armouriesis a photographic journey through Britain's national museum of arms and armour. It reflects the diversity of the Royal Armouries' collection, which was assembled over many centuries at the Tower of London and now spans the ancient world to the present day. At the core of this journey is the museum's unparalleled group of Tudor armours which derive from the Greenwich Armoury of Henry VIII, but European swords, paintings and manuscripts are equally well-represented. Stunning pieces from Asia are included, as are key items from the national collection of firearms, started in 1631 by Charles I and now housed at the National Firearms Centre, as well as larger guns from the National Artillery Centre at Fort Nelson. Each of the 115 entries tell compelling stories, tracing the histories of individuals, campaigns and cultures across millennia. They also consider the place of arms in an increasingly turbulent world and the new challenges that technology presents to a modern army. Treasuresof the Royal Armouriesis a lavishly illustrated account of some of the most interesting pieces of arms and armour in existence.
The Royal Armouries is Britain's national museum of arms and armor, and it is one of the most important museums of its type in the world. Its origins lie in the Middle Ages, and at its core is the celebrated collection originating in the nation's working arsenal, assembled over many centuries at the Tower of London. During the reign of Elizabeth I, selected items began to be arranged for display to visitors, making the Royal Armouries heir to one of the oldest deliberately created visitor attractions in the country. This fully-updated edition of Royal Armouries Guidebook covers the five main galleries--War, Tournament, Oriental, Hunting, and Self-Defense--as well as the magnificent Hall of Steel. Packed with useful information and stunning photography, it provides a perfect introduction to the Royal Armouries collection.
"To commemorate the opening of the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds ... It describes the progress of the project from dream to reality and details the contributions made by all the different members of the creative team, whether museum staff, consultants or contractors"--Page 4 of cover.
Fresh insights into the development of the tournament as an opportunity for social display.
The Elizabethan court was a vibrant and colourful place, where the inherited traditions and technological skill that had characterised the Middle Ages came face to face with the decorative techniques of the Renaissance. This book shows how the arms and armour in the collections of the Royal Armouries can be studied to gain insight into this creative and dynamic period. This book is part of a series of introductions to aspects of the Royal Armouries' collection of arms and armour. Written by specialists in the field, they are packed full of fascinating information and stunning photography.