Luxury of War - L’Armures

If your going to be covered in blood, and your soldiers be mangled, you might as well do it in style. The concept of Armour is simple in Medieval Europe, it was a metal body suit, that protected the fighting man. Leave it to the Kings and their court to turn the safe and protective suit, into a suit to portray their glory and power, or basically, something over the top to parade around in. How would you do that? Simple, make sure it’s made with the best materials, decorated by the finest craftsmen, and embellish it from top to bottom. Here’s some examples of parade Armours. 

Armour of George Clifford, Third Earl of Cumberland, a gentleman of the court of Queen Elizabeth the I

Not Fancy enough you say?? Well then, To France!

Armour for Henry II, King of France

In the Armour of Henry II, you can see what it takes to please the king. Velvet, a prized fabric of those times, had to be the color of power, Red. The Armour itself, made of Steel, plated with Gold and silver. Don’t think that is fashy enough? Add a few imagery and symbols. The decoration includes, at the center of the breast, a Roman warrior receiving tribute of arms from two kneeling females and, on the shoulders, Apollo chasing the nymph Daphne (front) and Apollo with the slain monster Python (back). The crescent moon, one of the badges of Henry II. It think it’s loud and clear. 

Don’t forget the the rest of the Armour! It needs a shield and a helmet. Just the average accessories for war.

Shield of Henry II, King of France

Shield showing St. George and the Dragon. 

Italian 14th century helmet

Images are from the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Enjoy!