Learn more about art works that make up the Royal Collection
Arms and Armour
Impressive displays of weaponry have been a feature of royal palaces since the 17th century. Examples of these decorative compositions of 'standard issue' weapons arranged on the walls can still be seen at Windsor Castle and Hampton Court. George IV added to the collection, choosing pieces for their decorative merit and curiosity (including the German 18th-century gun that fires heart-shaped bullets on display at Windsor). Among the highlights of the collection at Windsor is the last suit of armour made at Greenwich for Henry VIII in around 1540. Other parts of the Collection are on long-term loan to the Royal Armouries at Leeds.
Highlights
Erasmus Kyrkenar (c. 1495-1567)
Armour garniture of Henry VIII for the field and tilt probably about 1540
Hans Fleischer (active 1606)
Superimposed charge wheel-lock rifle 1606
Jacob Walster (active 1765)
Flintlock sporting rifle (Pirschbüchse) c. 1765
Jacob Halder (active 1576-1608)
Armour garniture of Sir Christopher Hatton for the field, tourney, tilt and barriers 1585
Diego de Çaias (active c. 1530-52)
Hunting sword, by-knife and scabbard 1544
Trail
European Armour in the Royal Collection
An introduction to European armour in the Royal Collection
Further Reading
G.F.Laking, The Armoury of Windsor Castle, London 1905
H.L. Blackmore, Royal Sporting Guns at Windsor, London 1968
