The
Armoury Museum, Leeds
The Royal Armouries Museum,
its proper title, is Britain's oldest museum and one of the oldest
in the world. The Royal Armouries occupied parts of the Tower
of London from its inception and its treasures, stores and practices
were accessible to visiting dignitaries from the 15th century
onwards.
To be able to make accessible
a wider selection of artefacts a purpose built home was created
in Leeds and opened to the public in 1996, showing in five galleries
'Arms and Armour'. Admission is free.
The Hall of Steel, the central
core of the stairs to all the floors with circular viewing ports
on every level. Swords, daggers, spears, pikes, cannon, pistols,
flintlocks, rifles, breastplates, helmets in quantity, all original
and all arrayed for inspection.
Not original but replica,
Crown Jewels in a display case at floor level in the Hall of Steel.
In the Oriental Gallery
our guide explains that the Indian Mughal elephant armour of about
1600, though incomplete, is the only example on public display
anywhere in the world. Brought to England in 1801 by Lady Clive
it is reputed to have been captured by Clive at the Battle of
Plassey in 1757.
Viewed from a gallery above
we can see there is half the armour missing.
The first Japanese ceremonial
armour seen in England. A gift to James I from the Shogun and
first displayed about 1660 in the Tower of London.
A Japanese horse archer
figure loaned from the Nikko Toshogu Shrine where displays of
the skill of yabusame are given at the annual festival.
A replica of a Chinese 'Terracotta
Warrior' and his horse stand beyond.
An atrium penetrates the
full height of the building with airy walkways connecting the
galleries. At the top of the picture a mid-19th century tiger
hunt from an elephant's back is depicted at the entrance to the
Hunting Gallery.
Another image of hunting
in 19th century British Raj India - 'pig-sticking'.
The centrepiece of the War
Gallery: men-at-arms on foot and horse in differing times. On
the left a Roundhead cavalryman of the New Model Army.
The diorama of the Battle
of Pavia, 1525. Included because of the significance of mounted
knights being defeated by foot soldiers with firearms.
Now, see how it changes
a man when he gets behind a gun!! Note the 'wild eyes'! :o)
I have fired a Bren gun
( for such it is, of WW-II vintage!) when I was a RAF National
Serviceman in 1958!
If I have whetted your appetite
to visit the Royal Armoury Museum at Leeds, here is the
link and you can access the whole of their sites from there.
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