Chapter I: Preface
In compiling this volume I believe I can claim, in a sense, to have broken new ground, for although a description of the Spanish Royal Armoury finds a place in every Guide and Handbook to Madrid, no exhaustive survey of the contents of this priceless treasure-house, apart from the official catalogue, is in existence.
The present work is based on the admirable catalogue prepared in 1898 at the instigation of Queen Maria Cristina by the Conde de Valencia de San Juan, to whom, with peculiar pleasure, I desire to make full acknowledgment of my indebtedness. To the formal descriptions of the exhibits, which the Conde de San Juan has collated with invariable accuracy, I have prefixed a brief sketch of the historical development of Spanish arms and armour, which, I venture to hope, will make the book more acceptable, both to the specialist in armour, and to those who visit the Armoury without any particular knowledge of the subject.
Though the Armeria Real remains the richest in the world, it has enriched nearly all the collections of arms and armour in Europe and America. Mr. G. P. Laking, in a recent number of the _Art Journal_, has shown that after the fire of 1839, a very large number of pieces were fraudulently abstracted and sent to London for sale--ultimately finding their way to armouries and museums as far apart as Rome and New York. If the truth were known it would probably be found that there was not a collection of any importance that did not include some of the spoils of the great treasure house established by the Kings of Spain.
In furtherance of my object, I have laid under contribution a large number of authorities, and I cannot omit to acknowledge my obligations to the standard works of Meyrick, Hewitt, Demmin, Lacombe and Clephan, to the writings of Baron Davillier and Don Juan Riaño, to the Iconografia Española of Don V. Carderera, and to Dr. Wendelin Boheim, of the Imperial Armoury, Vienna. I also desire to render a special tribute of thanks to Mr. E. B. d’Auvergne, who placed his expert knowledge at my service, and has rendered me invaluable assistance in my endeavours to make this compilation both accurate and complete.
The value of a book of this kind must, I recognise, depend in a large measure upon the selection of the illustrations and the excellence of their reproduction. In this matter I have been greatly helped by Señor Don Lacoste, and Messrs. Hauser y Menet, whose photographs, other than those taken by myself, are, with their permission, reproduced here.
A. F. C.
“ROYSTON,” SWISS COTTAGE, N.W.
ILLUSTRATIONS
REFERENCE NO. TITLE PLATE.
Crowns and votive Crosses of Guarrazar, Remains of St. Ferdinand’s Robe, Moorish Spurs of St. Ferdinand, 1
Cloak and Spurs of St. Ferdinand and Visigothic Bit, 1A
Don Bernardo Guillen de Entenza, 13th century, 2
Don Guillelmo Ramon de Moncada, Seneschal of Catalonia, died _circa_ 1280, 3
Don Juan Alphonso, Lord of Ajofrin, died about 1386, 3
G 22. Sword and Scabbard, probably belonging to St. Ferdinand, 4
G 21. The Lobera of St. Ferdinand, 4
G 22. Sword and Scabbard that probably belonged to St. Ferdinand, 5
Pedro I, King of Castile, 6
Effigy of St. Ferdinand, King of Spain, 7
Sepulchral Effigy of Don Bernardo de Anglesola, _circa_ 1384, 8
F 123. Bit, believed to have belonged to Witiza, King of the Visigoths, 9
D 11. Helmet-crest of Martin I of Aragon, 9
G 4. Pontifical Sword presented by Pope Eugene IV to John II of Castile, 10
G 13. Fifteenth Century War Sword, probably belonged to Ferdinand the Catholic, 10
G 1. Ceremonial Sword of Ferdinand and Isabella, 11
G 23. Fifteenth Century Sword of unknown Origin, 11
Juan Pacheco, Marquis of Villena, Grand Master of St. James, died 1474, 12
G 29. War Sword of the Gran Capitan, Gonzalo Fernandez de Cordoba (1453-1515), 13
G 28. Sword of the Cardinal Infante Fernando, Brother of Philip IV, 13
G 31. War Sword of Ferdinand the Catholic, 13
A 9. Armet, early 16th century (closed), 14
A 9. The Same (open), 14
A 5. Armet, late 15th century and beginning of 16th century, 14
A 11. Armour of Philip the Handsome, 15
A 16. Tilting Armour of Philip the Handsome, 15
A 16. Tilting Armour of Philip the Handsome, 15A
A 16. Tilting Armour of Philip the Handsome, 15B
A 16. Tilting Armour of Philip the Handsome, 15C
Tilting Armour, early 16th century, attributed in the 1849 Catalogue to Maximilian of Austria, 15D
A 11. ‘Caperuza’ of Philip I of Castile, 16
A 17. Helmet with unusually large Shutter, late 15th century, 16
D 14. Late 15th century Helmet in the Moorish Style. It is the only one of its kind in the Armoury, 16
C 1. Spanish Man-at-arms, 15th century, 17
C 1. Spanish Man-at-arms, 15th century (back view), 17A
C 4. Spanish Crossbowman, 15th century, 17B
C 4. Spanish Crossbowman, 15th century (back view), 17C
C 2. Spanish Halberdier, 15th century, 17D
C 2. Spanish Halberdier, 15th century (back view), 17E
Mace-bearer of the 16th century, with Surcoat displaying the Arms of Castile and Leon, 18
A King of Arms, 19
A 101. Royal Tilting Armour of Charles V, 20
A 19. War Armour of Charles V, 20
A 19. War Armour of the Emperor Charles V (1517), 20A
A 26. Tilting Harness of Charles V, 21
A 27. Tilting Armour of Charles V, 22
A 37. Tilting Harness of Charles V, made by Colman Helmschmied, 23
A 49. Oak-leaf Suit with Lamboys of Charles V, 24
A 56. Figure showing Pieces of the Oak-leaf Armour, 25
A 65. Tilting Harness of Charles V, 26
A 93. Foot Armour, with Lamboys, belonging to Charles V, with reinforcing Pieces for Helmet, 27
A 93. Foot Armour of Charles V, made by Helmschmied in 1526, 27A
A 112. Armour presented to Charles V by the Duke of Mantua, 28
A 114. Armour presented to Charles V by the Duke of Mantua, 29
A 116. Cornucopiæ Armour of Charles V, 30
A 129. War Harness of Charles V, 31
A 139. Italian Armour of Charles V, 31
A 139. Armour of Charles V (work of Negroli), 31A
A 147. Foot Armour of Charles V, 32
A 149. Armour of Charles V (1541), 33
A 160. Armour of Charles V, probably made by Negroli, 34
A 164. Charles V at Mühlberg, 35
Armour of Charles V (pieces of the Mühlberg Harness), 36
Pieces of the Mühlberg Harness of Charles V, 37
Harness composed of pieces of the Mühlberg Harness (1547), 37A
Armour of Charles V, with Lamboys, 38
A 165. Mühlberg Armour of Charles V, 39
A 138. Armour of Charles V, after the Roman style, 39
Equestrian Armour of Charles V, 40
Armour of Charles V, made by Colman (1849 Catalogue), 41
Armour of Charles V., Augsburg or Nuremburg make (1849 Catalogue), 41A
Equestrian Armour of the Marquis of Villena, 16th century, 42
A 189. Foot Armour of Philip II, made by Desiderius Colman, 43
A 189. Foot Armour of Philip II, made by Desiderius Colman, 43A
A 217. Armour of Prince Philip (II), of German make, 44
A 218. Armour of Prince Philip (II), made in Germany in 1549, 45
A 231. Armour made for Prince Philip (II) by Wolf of Landshut (1550), 46
A 239. Parade Armour of Philip II, 47
Parade Armour of King Sebastian of Portugal, 47
A 239. Suit made for Prince Philip (II) at Augsburg in 1552, 47A
A 239. Gorget of Philip II, when heir-apparent, for parade (1552). It has the collar of the Golden Fleece, 47B
A 242. Saddle-plate belonging to the same Armour as the preceding, 47B
A 243. Equestrian Armour of Philip II, made by Sigmund Wolf of Landshut, 48
A 245. Tilting Armour, made for Prince Philip (II) by Wolf of Landshut (1554), 49
A 263. ‘Burgundy Cross’ Armour of Philip II, 50
The ‘Burgundy Cross’ Suit of Philip II, 50A
‘Burgundy Cross’ Armour of Philip II, 50B
Armour of King Philip II, 51
A 274. Complete Armour of Prince Charles, son of Philip II, 52
A 289. Suit presented to Philip II by the Conde de Nieva, 52A
Armour of Philip II, engraved with the Royal Arms of England, 52B
A 290. Armour of King Sebastian of Portugal, 53
A 290. Armour of King Sebastian of Portugal (2nd view), 53A
A 290. Armour of King Sebastian of Portugal (3rd view), 53B
A 290. Armour of King Sebastian (details), 53C
A 290. Armour of King Sebastian, back plate (details), 53D
A 291. Equestrian Parade Armour of Philip III, 54
A 291. Armour of Philip III, made by Lucio Picinino of Milan, 54A
A 347. Armour presented by the Archduke Albert to Philip III, 55
A 354. Half Suit made at Pamplona for Philip III, 56
A 356. War Armour, early 17th century, Milanese make, 57
A 360. Half Armour of Prince Filippo Emmanuele of Savoy, early 17th century, 58
Armour of Prince Filippo Emmanuele of Savoy (1586-1605), 58A
A 422. Milanese Armour of King Philip IV, 59
Armour sent from Flanders in 1624 by the Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia to Philip IV, 60
Armour ascribed to King Philip IV, 61
Armour made at Pamplona for the Duke of Savoy, 1620, 62
A 277. Armour ascribed, on doubtful authority, to Diego Garcia de Paredes, 63
Armour ascribed to Don Alonso Cespedes, the Castilian Alcides, died 1569, 64
Armour of Fernando d’Alarcon, 16th century (1849 Catalogue), 65
Half Armour of the Third Count of Altamira (1849 Catalogue), 66
Half Armour of John of Aldana (1849 Catalogue), 67
Half Armour of Alfonso d’Avalos, nephew of the Marquis of Pescara (1849 Catalogue), 68
Milanese Armour of the famous Warrior Antonio de Leiva (1849 Catalogue), 69
Half Armour of the Poet Garcilaso de la Vega (1849 Catalogue), 70
Armour of Luis Hurtado de Mendoza (1849 Catalogue), 71
Complete Armour of the Marquis of Pescara, General of Charles V (1849 Catalogue), 72
Half Armour of Juan de Padilla, beheaded by order of Charles V in 1520 (1849 Catalogue), 73
Half Armour of Juan Arias de Avila, Count of Puñonrostro (1849 Catalogue), 74
Coat of Mail ascribed to Alfonso V of Aragon and I of Sicily (1849 Catalogue), 75
Harness ascribed to Charles V (1849 Catalogue), 76
Harness ascribed to Charles V (1849 Catalogue), 77
M 11-17. Armour of John Frederick, Elector of Saxony, taken at the Battle of Mühlberg, 1547, 78
Armour of the Elector John Frederick, the Magnanimous, Duke of Saxony, taken at Mühlberg, 78A
C 11. Brigantine of Milanese make which belonged to the Emperor Maximilian, 79
Mark on the Breastplate of a Child’s Corselet (17th century), 79A
Signature of the noted Engraver of Augsburg, Daniel Hopfer, with date, 79A
Monogram of Guidobaldo II, Duke of Arbino, on Suit A 188, 79A
C 11. Inside of Brigantine of Maximilian I, with Arms of Austria and Burgundy, 79A
Milanese Brigantine which belonged to Charles V, 80
Milanese Brigantine which belonged to Charles V, 81
B 1. Boy’s Half Armour which belonged to Philip III, 82
B 3. Shield. Subject: Gods overwhelming the Moors, 82
B 4. Boy’s Half Armour which belonged to Philip III, 82
B 1. Boy’s Half Armour, made in Italy for the Infante, afterwards Philip III, 83
B 1. Boy’s Half Armour, made for the Infante, afterwards Philip III (second view), 83A
B 4. Half Armour presented to the Infante, afterwards Philip III, by the Duke of Terranova, 84
B 9. Milanese Armour presented to the Infante, afterwards Philip III, by the Duke of Terranova, 85
B 9. Armour of the Infante, afterwards Philip III, Milanese make (second view), 85A
B 12. Boy’s Half Armour, with Medallion on Breastplate of Mutius Scaevola, 86
B 18. Boy’s Half Armour, made for the Infante Fernando, Son of Philip III, 87
Half Armour belonging to Prince Philip, afterwards Philip IV, 88
Boy’s Half Armour, Milanese make (late 16th century), 89
Boy’s Half Armour, 90
Boy’s Half Armour, end of 16th century (Italian), 91
Boy’s Half Armour, 92
A 434. Gorget. Subject: The Siege of Ostend, 1601, 93
A 434. Gorget of Philip II Subject: The Battle of Nieuport, 94
E 88-89. Superb pair of Gauntlets belonging to Charles V, 95
A 151. Light War-Armour of Charles V, Corselet and Armlet of rare form, also two Helmets, 96
A 75-83. Armet, with reinforcing Pieces, 97
A 54. A curious Bevor in two Pieces, nailed on Leather, 98
A 49. Charles V’s Tilting Helmet, 98
A 29. Helmet belonging to the ‘K.D.’ Suit, 98
A 27. Helmet of Charles V, 98
A 120. Burgonet, by Colman, 99
A 118. Morion of Charles V, 99
Cabasset and Leg Armour of a Spanish Pikeman, late 15th century, 99
A 57. Tilting Helmet of Charles V, 100
A 56. Helmet of Charles V, 100
A 75. Helmet of Charles V, 101
A 59. ‘Dolphin’ Helmet of Charles V, 101
D 12. Helmet made by Negroli of Milan, 102
A 118. Burgonet of Charles V, 102
A 151. Burgonet of Charles V, with Bevor bought from Sir Richard Wallace, 103
A 151. Burgonet of Charles V, with Bevor not belonging to Helmet, 103
A 151. Corselet of Charles V, 104
A 189. Gauntlet of Philip II, 105
A 190. Helmet of Philip II, 105
Helmet of Philip II, made at Augsburg in 1549, belonging to the suit A 239, 106
A 243. Helmet of Philip II, made by Wolf of Landshut in 1554, 107
A 290. Burgonet of King Sebastian of Portugal, 108
A 290. Burgonet of King Sebastian of Portugal, 109
A 292. Burgonet made for Philip III by Lucio Picinino, 110
A 291. Helmet of Philip III, with three beautiful Masks on Visor, Nape, and Front; probably Italian, late 16th century, 111
A 292. Burgonet, the missing parts of which are in the Kensington Museum, London, 111
A 350. Helmet for the Duke of Savoy (front view), 112
A 350. Helmet for the Duke of Savoy (side view), 113
A 417. Cabasset presented to Philip IV by the Infanta Isabel Eugenia, 114
A 350. Helmet with movable Visor, made in Pamplona, apparently for the Duke of Savoy, 1620, 115
A 380. Burgonet, early 17th century, belonged to Philip IV, 115
A 414. Helmet of Philip IV, presented to him with other Armour by the Infanta Isabel Eugenia, 115
A 417. Cabasset presented to Philip IV by the Infanta Isabel Eugenia, 115
B 2. Morion, which belonged to Philip III when a Boy. Subject: The Goddess of Plenty, 116
B 5. Morion, given to Philip III when a Child by the Duke of Terranova, 117
D 3. Burgonet of Charles V, designed by Giulio Romano, 118
D 3. Burgonet of Charles V, designed by Giulio Romano (second side), 119
D 5. Burgonet, 16th century. Subject: Bacchus and Ariadne (left side), 120
D 5. Burgonet, 16th century. Subject: Silenus supported by Bacchus, 121
D 7. Burgonet, 16th century. Subject: The Wooden Horse of Troy (left side), 122
D 7. Burgonet, 16th century. Subject: The Judgment of Paris (right side), 123
D 13. Milanese Salade, 15th century, 124
D 14. Moorish Salade, ascribed to Philip I, 125
D 26. Spanish Morion, early 16th century, with the Inscription, ‘Non Timeo Milia Populi,’ 125
A 188. Roman Helmet (Charles V), 126
A 188. Mask on Shoulder-Guard of Charles V’s Roman Suit, 126
D 22. Cabasset which belonged to Philip the Handsome, 126
D 16. Late 15th century Helmet, probably belonged to Philip the Handsome, 126
D 25. Spanish Foot-Soldier’s Morion, early 16th century, 127
D 23. Parade Headpiece of Charles V, 127
D 29. Parade Headpiece, middle 16th century (origin unknown), 127
D 30. Parade Burgonet, made for Charles V by the Negrolis in 1545, 127
D 29. Helmet, middle of 16th century, 128
D 28. Steel Cap belonging to Charles V, 128
D 30. Burgonet of Charles V, made by Negroli, 129
M 5. Helmet of Francis I of France, taken at the Battle of Pavia, 130
M 5. Helmet of Francis I of France, taken at the Battle of Pavia, 131
B 21. Helmet which belonged to Prince Baltasar Carlos, 1629-1646, 132
D 31. Burgonet ascribed on insufficient grounds to Antonio de Leyva (16th century), 132
1511. Satin and Velvet Turban found in the Palace of Mustafa, Bey of Oran, in 1722, 133
1533. Steel Turban of Ali Pasha, Turkish Admiral at Lepanto, 133
Turkish Helmet taken at Lepanto, 134
Helmet of Philip III, 134
Helmet of the 16th century, 135
Helmet of Charles V, belonging to the Cornucopiæ Suit, 136
Helmet of Charles V, belonging to the Cornucopiæ Suit, 136
C 11. Salade, with detachable decorative Pieces (belonged to Maximilian I or Philip I), 137
M 19. Helmet of Ali Pasha, Turkish Admiral, defeated at Lepanto, 137
A 191. Morion and Arm-guard of Charles V, 138
A 27. Shield used in Tilting, 139
A 57. Shield used in Tilting, designed by Hopfer, 139
A 57. Shield designed by Hopfer, 140
Shield, with a Mask in Relief, belonging to the Harness of Charles V, A 149-156, 141
Shield of Philip II, belonging to the Armour A 217-230, 142
Shield of the Emperor Charles V, belonging to the Harness A 159-163, 142
A 265. Shield of Philip II, 143
A 241. German Shield, 16th century, by Desiderio Colman: War, Peace, Wisdom, and Strength, 143
Shield of Philip III, musket-proof, belonging to the Harness A 354, 144
A 293. Shield. Subject: Alexander subduing Bucephalus, 144
A 293. Shield accompanying armour of Philip III, 1578-1621. In the centre, Alexander the Great subduing Bucephalus, 145
B 3. Shield which belonged to Philip III when a boy. Subject: Jupiter, Neptune, and Mars overwhelming the Moors, 146
A 374. Shield belonging to Prince Filippo Emmanuele of Savoy, 1588-1624 (Italian), 146
D 1, D 2. Helmet and Shield of Charles V, 147
D 3, D 4. Burgonet and Shield of Charles V, 148
D 8. Shield (Italian) with design representing the Abduction of Helen, 16th century, 149
D 6. Shield of Italian workmanship, 16th century, 149
D 63. The ‘Plus Ultra’ Shield, designed by Girolamo Romani, 150
D 10. Shield, early 17th century. Design: Warriors in combat, 150
D 63. Shield called ‘Plus Ultra,’ with Apotheosis of Charles V, 150A
D 64. The Medusa Shield, made by Negroli for Charles V, 150A
Shield of the Emperor Charles V, forming part of the Mühlberg armour, 151
D 66. Italian Shield, Moorish style, 16th century, 151
D 67. Italian Shield, Moorish Style, 16th century, 152
Shield presented to Charles V by Don Ferdinando de Gonzaga, 152
D 69. Italian Shield, 16th century. Design: The Triumph of Love, 153
D 68. Shield of Augsburg make, 16th century, 153
Shield ascribed to the Marquis of Villena, 16th century, 154
D 71. Shield of the end of the 16th century, 154
Shield of Philip II, 155
Shield of the Milanese School, 16th century, 155
D 72. Shield, late 16th century. Design: The Medusa’s Head, 156
Shield representing Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and Cupid, Mercury, and Mars, 16th century, 156
Shield, the work of E. de Zuloaga, 19th century, 157
Unfinished Shield, the work of E. de Zuloaga, 19th century, 157
Shield, the work of E. de Zuloaga, 19th century, 158
D 73. Spanish Shield, 17th century. Design: The Judgment of Paris, 158
D 78. Shield presented to Philip III by the Duke of Savoy in 1603, 159
D 79. Shield presented to Philip III by the Duke of Savoy in 1603, 160
D 86. Moorish Leather Shield, end of 15th century, 161
D 88. Oval Leather Shield, late 16th century. The face decorated with admirable Mexican-Indian Feather-work, 161A
Leather Shield, with the Arms of the Mendoza family, 162
M 1-5. Arms of King Francis I of France, taken at the battle of Pavia, 1525, by the troops of Charles V, 163
M 6. Shield and Sword of Francis I of France, taken at the battle of Pavia. Design: The Gallic Cock attacking a warrior and putting him to flight, 163A
G 45. Sword of Hernando Cortes, 164
G 48. Sword of Philip II, 164
G 29. Sword of Gonsalvo de Cordoba, 164
G 60. Pistol and Axe combined, of Philip II, 165
G 45. Sword attributed to Hernando Cortes, conqueror of Mexico, 1485-1547, 165
G 47. Sword of Philip II, worn with parade armour, 166
G 48. Toledan Sword attributed to Philip II, 166
G 49. Toledan Sword of the Count of Corunna (16th century). The guard is one of the most beautiful in the armoury, 166
G 47. Sword of Philip II, with the mark of Clement Horn of Solingen, 166A
G 54. Spanish Sword, middle of 16th century, 167
G 59. Spanish Sword, late 16th century. Bears mark of Juanes el Viejo, 167
G 55. Spanish Sword, late 16th century, made by Sebastian Hernandez of Toledo, 167
G 61. Sword of the Duke of Weimar, Commander of the Swedish Army, defeated at the Battle of Nordlingen, 1624, 168
G 80. Sword attributed to Philip III It bears the date 1604, Toledo make, 168
G 64. Sword attributed to Count de Lamos, 1576-1622, made by Tomás de Ayala of Seville, 168
G 151. Persian Sword, 16th century, probably brought from Tunis by Charles V, 169
G 62. Stradiot’s Sabre, early 17th century, presented by the Duke of Savoy to Philip III (1603), 169
G 43. 16th Century Cutlass, 169
G 34. War Sword of Charles V, Italian make, 170
G 33. Italian War Sword of Charles V, 170
G 35. Sword of Pizarro, Conqueror of Peru, 170
G 160. Knife used by the Carver at the King’s Table, as required by the etiquette of the House of Burgundy, 171
Dagger, early 16th century, 171
16th century Dagger, supposed to have belonged to Charles V, 171
A 242. War Saddle of Philip II, made by Desiderius Colman of Augsburg, 172
A 242. Pommel and Cantle of Saddle of Philip II, 172A
A 242. Cantle-Plate of same Saddle, 172B
A 242. Burr-Plate of Saddle, 172C
A 242. Burr-Plate of Saddle, 172D
A 291. Cantle-Plates of Saddle made by Lucio Picinino, 173
A 291. Cantle-Plate of same Saddle, 173A
A 291. Burr-Plate of same Saddle, 173B
Saddle (Italian), 16th century. (Marine Monsters), 174
Moorish Saddle, with short Stirrups, 18th century, 175
Turkish Saddle given to Charles III, 176
Arab Saddle, with short Stirrups, taken in the Palace of the Bey of Oran in 1732, 177
Military Saddle, late 16th century, 178
A 352. Saddle made at Pamplona for the Duke of Savoy (1620), 179
Iron War Saddle of the Emperor Charles V, 180
F 22. Italian Saddle, 16th century, probably presented by Frederico Gonzaga to Charles V, 181
Military Saddle: Design in Berruguete style, 182
2327. Military Saddle, 183
Military Saddle, Augsburg make, 184
Saddle, early 15th century, from Majorca, 185
1913. Sword, with the Toledo Blade of the Duke of Olivares, 186
1880. ‘Flaming’ Spanish Sword of Philip IV, 186
1917. Sword of D. Suero de Quiñones, late 16th century, 186
1864. Dagger, scalloped half-way, 186
1916. Sword, with round Point, of Garcilaso de la Vega, 186
1920. Sword, with Toledo Blade, of the Marquis of Povar, 186
631. Shield representing Jupiter sending Lightning on the Moors, 186
1874. Dagger given by Louis XV of France to the King of Spain, 186
1704. Sword of Isabel the Catholic, 187
1589. Petronel of Charles V, with Battle-Axe, 187
1581. Yataghan of Mustafa, Bey of Oran, 187
1561. Battle-Axe, 15th-16th centuries, 187
1563. Kriss or Malay Dagger, 187
1587. Battle-Axe, Byzantine style, 187
1702. Sword of the Great Captain, 187
1764. Martel-de-fer of Charles V, 187
1591. Alfange or Indian Scimitar, 187
1698. Sword, 16th century, 187
1719. Sword of the Count of Corunna, 188
1843, 1816. Pieces of the Barding of a Horse, 188
1696. Sword, 15th century, 188
1716. Sword of Philip I, the Handsome, 188
2045, 2049. Pistols, 16th-17th centuries, 188
2077. Dagger, four edged, 16th century, 188
1814. Sword, found in the Tagus, and given to Philip II, 188
1359, 1315. Armpit Shields, 188
1763. Spurs, in Filigree Silver, 188
1328. Lance-Shield of the Prince of Parma, 188
1759. Sword of Bernal Diaz del Castillo, 188
1697. Sword of the Prince of Conde, 189
1644. Two-handed Sword, early 15th century, 189
1777. Sword of Philip II, 189
1794. Sword of Don John of Austria, 189
1708. German Sword of Frederick Henry, Count of Nassau, 189
1845. Sword of John of Urbino, 189
1692. Magnificent Toledan Blade, unmounted, 189
2067, 2076. A pair of Pistols, 17th century, 189
1823. Piece of a Horse’s Barding, 189
1769. Sword of Pizarro, 190
1726. Head Stall, 190
1721. Very remarkable Sword of the Renaissance, 190
1718, 1771. Rondels, 190
2044. Pistols, 16th and 17th centuries, 190
929. Head Stall for Charger of the Count of Niebla, 190
1770, 1761. Beautiful Stirrups, with Figures, 190
1768. Unique Spur, 190
1873. Sword, 191
1850. German Sword, 191
1912. Sword of Philip III, 191
1911. Sword of the Duke of Montemar, 191
1872. Sword of Charles II, 191
2034, 2031. Pistols, 191
523. Chamfron, 191
1773. Sword of Philip II, 192
1659. Sword with four Sides (German), 16th century, 192
1807. Sword of Hernan Cortes, 192
1856, 1857. Magnificent pair of Gauntlets, 192
1727. Lobera Sword of St. Ferdinand, 192
1645. Sword of Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 192
1562. Moorish Boarding Gauntlet, 14th to 15th century, 193
1619. Sword presented to John II of Castile by the Pope Eugenius IV, 193
1711. Halberd of Charles V, 193
1529. Iron Ring, with Points inside, 193
1588. Bracelet of Ali Pasha, Turkish Admiral at Lepanto, 193
1502, 1544. Moorish Quivers, 193
1556, 1605. Malay Battle-Axes, in Wood, 193
1620. Sword of Diego Garcia Paredes, 193
1606. Wooden Stirrup, 193
1644. Two-handed Sword, early 15th century, 193
1554. Quiver with Arrows of the Cacique Guarimacoa, 193
2535. Halberd Plate, 15th century, 193
1585. Moorish Boarding Weapon, 15th century, 193
1776. Espadon or large two-handed Sword of Charles V, 194
1878. Sword of the Count Lemos, 194
1862. Valencian Sword of Ferdinand D’Alarcon, 194
1976, 1968. Beautiful Pistols of 16th century, 194
567. Chamfron which belonged to Philip IV, 194
1775. Espadon of Diego Garcia de Paredes, 194
1848. Flaming Sword of Don Juan of Austria, Son of Philip IV, 194
1852. Sword of Pedro Mendez de Aviles, 194
1762. Sword of Cardinal Fernando, Brother of Philip IV, 195
1924, 1806,} 1833.} Pieces of Barding for a Horse, 195
1049. Sword of the Count of Benavente, made at Zaragoza, 195
1634. Espadon, 195
1599. Scimitar of Don Juan of Austria, 195
1598. Spanish-Moresque Sword, 195
1729, 1767. Maces, 15th and 16th centuries, 195
1765. Two-handed Sword of Ferdinand V, the Catholic, 196
1662. Sword in its Sheath, studded with Jewels, 196
1713. Two-handed Sword of Charles V, 196
1706, 1701. Maces of the Constable of Bourbon, time of Charles V, 196
1700, 1707. Stirrups, of Turkish form, of Charles V, 196
629. Gilded Handle to Crossbow, 197
1529. Iron Ring, with Spikes inside, which the Moors used as an Instrument of Execution, 197
598. Flemish Crossbow, 16th century, 197
628. Crossbow, incrusted with Ivory, 197
640. Crossbow of the Duke of Alba, 197
1522. Arabian Spur, 197
1538. Shield for Crossbowman, 197
Gaffles for stretching the String of the Crossbow, 197
Trophy formed of different Weapons, by E. de Zuloaga, 198
Trophy formed of several pieces of Armour of Philip II, 199
Marks used by the principal Sword-makers of Toledo until the beginning of the 18th century, 200
Key to the foregoing, 200A
Heads of Spanish Lances and Pikes, 15th to 17th centuries. ‘The Pike I would have, if it might be, of Spanish Ash, and between 20 and 22 feet long.’--Sutcliffe, _Practice of Arms_ (1593), 201
Heads of Spanish Lances used for Tilts and Tournaments, 15th to 17th centuries, pointed, round headed, or furcated, 202
Spanish Knives employed by the chief Carver at the Royal Table the Handles of which are richly decorated with the Spanish Arms of the time of Philip IV, 203
J 28. Hunting Crossbow, early 16th century, 204
J 18. Spanish Hunting Crossbow of Charles V, 204
J 37. Small Hunting Crossbow, 16th century, 204
H 9. Martel-de-Fer, early 16th century, 205
H 6. Battle-axe, middle 16th century, 205
H 14. Battle-mace, late 15th century, 205
H 15. Battle-mace of Charles V, 205
1987, 1992. Spanish Arquebuses, end of 16th century, 206
1955. Petronel, 16th century, 206
1961. Spanish Arquebus, with octagonal Barrel inlaid with Mother of Pearl and Ivory, 16th century, 206
1972, 1977,} 1946.} Keys or Cranks to cock the Arquebuses, 206
1602. Elegant Sabre of a ‘Chef d’Estradiots’ (Venetian) given to Philip III, 207
2243, 2285. Spanish Knives, with Spanish Arms, time of Philip IV, 207
1577, 1578. Persian Sabres, 207
1604. Gourma, or Dagger, 207
1579. Sabre of unknown origin, 207
1600. Misrae or Scimitar of Ali Pasha, Turkish Admiral at Lepanto, 207
1572. Miserecorde, or Dagger, of Diego Garcia de Paredes, 207
1566. Dagger of Charles V, 207
1580. Dagger of the Kabyles, 207
1562. Manople or Moorish Boarding-sword, 14th-15th centuries, 207
2167. Repeating Hunting Gun, 208
2296. Turkish Cannon Tinder, 208
2140. Hunting Gun with twelve Shots, 208
2164. Repeating Gun, made in 1705, 208
2534. The Barrel of a Breech-loading Gun, 208
2294. Turkish Gun Tinder, 208
2142. Model of a Gun with fourteen Shots, 208
1. Arquebus of Don John of Austria (K 14), 209
2. Arquebus Handle, Dagger, and Primer combined (G 151), 209
3. Arquebus of Don John Joseph of Austria (K 23), 209
4. Arquebus Handle and Primer (K 12), 209
5. Nuremburg Arquebus, 16th century (K 11), 209
1940, 1944. Barrels, 15th century, 210
651. Lance, with two little Barrels, 17th century, 210
903. Spanish Arquebus, 15th century, 211
9178. Petronel, 1547, 211
2080. Pistol, with three Barrels, 211
2126. Pistol, with Rifle Barrel, 211
2225. Hunting Gun of Philip V, breech-loading, 211
2024. Petronel, 16th century, 211
2635. Revolver, 18th century, 211
2045. Pistol, with two Barrels, 16th century, 211
K 30. Small Arquebus of Charles V (Italian make), 212
K 33. Small Spanish Arquebus, 1531, 212
K 55. Small Pistol-arquebus, middle 16th century, 212
Double breech-loading Cannon, in bronze, used in Spain from the end of the 15th century, 213
A 190. Tailpiece of a Horse’s Bard, 1545, 214
A 190. Chanfron, representing the Head and Neck of a fantastic Dragon, covered with Scales of Gold, 1545, 214
531. Head-stall of Philip III’s Horse, 215
534. Chanfron and Mainfaire of a Horse of Philip III, 215
567. Chanfron of Horse of Philip IV, 215
525. Chanfron (Moorish), 216
558. Chanfron and Mainfaire, 16th century, 216
565. Chanfron, with the Imperial Arms in Colours, 216
F 110. Chanfron, early 16th century, 217
F 113. Chanfron, early 16th century, 217
1762. Sword of Cardinal D. Fernando, Brother of Philip IV, 218
1613, 1624. Christian Standards, from the Battle of Lepanto, 218
Flag carried at the Obsequies of Philip II, 219
Standard of the Ex-Bodyguard, 220
Standard taken from the English who besieged Carthagena (America) in 1741, 221
Flag from the Battle of Lepanto, with a Painting representing Christ and St. Martin, 222
Seal of Charles V when Count of Flanders, showing him on Horseback in Armour, 223
Small Shield on Head-stall, with the Arms of Philip II when Heir-apparent, and also those of his Wife, Queen Mary of England, 223
Salade-morion of the Prince of Asturias, Baltasar Carlos of Austria (1629-1646), 223
M 75, 77, 76. Lanterns from Flag-ships gained by the Marques de Santa Cruz in various naval Engagements, 224
Sedan Chair of Philip V (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 225
Sedan Chair of Ferdinand VI (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 226
Sedan Chair of Charles IV (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 227
Sedan Chair of Philip V (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 228
Sedan Chair of Charles III (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 229
Campaign Litter of the Emperor Charles V, 230
Carriage given by Napoleon I to Charles IV (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 231
Gala Coach of Charles IV (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 232
Carriage of the President of the Cortes (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 233
The Crown Coach (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 234
Wedding Coach of Ferdinand VII and Maria Christina (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 235
Carriage of the Mace-Bearers of the Cortes (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 236
Carriage, with gilt Panels, of Charles IV (from the Coach-houses of the Royal Palace, Madrid), 237
Cover of an Album, exterior, the work of E. de Zuloaga, 238
Cover of an Album, interior, the work of E. de Zuloaga, 239
Portable Chair, in Leather, of the Emperor Charles V, 240
Magnificent Bureau, in engraved Iron, belonged to Charles V, 241
Wooden Trunk, with Ornaments in the Pointed Style, 242
Iron Inkstand, embossed and inlaid, the work of E. de Zuloaga, 243
General View of the Interior of the Armoury, 244
General View of the Interior of the Armoury, 245
General View of the Interior of the Armoury, 246
Figure explaining various technical Terms used in the Text, 247
Figure explaining various technical Terms used in the Text, 248
SPANISH ARMS AND ARMOUR
INTRODUCTORY
The prominence which Spain has enjoyed from the earliest times as a manufactory of armour and a school of arms is attributable, in the first instance, to its mineralogical richness, and, subsequently, to the part it played in the military history of Europe. In the days of Rome’s greatness, Spain became the chief mineral-producing tributary of the Empire. Its mines contained in perfection all the metals then applied to warlike uses, and its rivers were believed to possess peculiar properties for the tempering of blades. Bilbilis was as much a name to conjure with among the Roman warriors as was the “Bilbo” among the gallants and swashbucklers of Shakespeare’s day. Toledo and the sword are indissolubly associated in the literature of arms; it is impossible to mention the name of the city without recalling the unchallenged excellence of the blades it has given to the world. And if Toledo is the city of the sword, Spain is the land of swordsmanship. It was in Spain that the muscular sweep of the broadsword was refined into the scientific point-play of the rapier; it was there that the art of fence originated; and to-day it is claimed that there are more books on fencing in Spanish than in any other language.
From the highest in the land to the lowest the love of arms is seen to have been inherent in the Spaniard from time immemorial, and he has ever shown himself quick to adopt foreign methods and innovations that promised to lend greater efficacy to his blow and sterner resistance to his defensive armour. Francis I. beheld the youth of Spain stoutly accoutred and armed to the teeth, and exclaimed, “Oh, happy land, which brings forth and rears armed men.” The profession of arms was the avocation of every Spaniard; he left his mother’s breast to take his place at his father’s side; he was a soldier by birth, breeding, and training. Only a nation of soldiers could have successfully withstood an invasion so overwhelming as that of the Saracens. Only a race imbued with the traditions and love of war and its arts could have persevered so long against enormous odds to the final and glorious triumph of the closing years of the fifteenth century.
The Spaniards of the days of Pizarro and Cortes, like their contemporaries, the English admirals, courted war as a mistress, and strove to meet her in their bravest array. The devoted attention they paid to their armour and the temper of their weapons excited the regretful admiration of their determined foe, old sea-dog Hawkins. The Castilian loved the glint of shimmering steel and the ring of a true forged blade on stout harness; his was a land of iron, and so long as the issue of the battle depended on the sword and the lance, he could defy Europe, and hold two Continents in fee. But the age of iron passed; with it passed that grand old craftsman, the armourer; and the day of Spain also, passed, for a while, into the grey evening of nations. For Spain, so faithfully wedded to its native arms, and so pre-eminent in their use, was slow to embrace the faith of explosives. Cervantes, in the following passage, which he puts into the mouth of Don Quixote, has left on record the aversion of his countrymen to the levelling-up influence of the rifle, and their exaggerated attachment to the weapons of chivalry:
“Blessed be those happy ages that were strangers to the dreadful fury of those devilish instruments of artillery which is the cause that very often a cowardly base hind takes away the life of the bravest gentleman, and in the midst of that rigour and resolution which animates and inflames the bold, a chance bullet (shot perhaps by one that fled, and was frighted at the very flash the mischievous piece gave when it went off), coming nobody knows how or from whence, in a moment puts a period to the brave designs and the life of one that deserved to have survived many years. This considered, I could almost say I am sorry at heart for having taken on me this profession of a knight-errant in so detestable an age: for though no danger daunts me, yet it affects me to think that powder and lead may deprive me of the opportunity of becoming famous, and making myself known throughout the world by the strength of my arm and the dint of my sword.”
The national love of the sword and buckler was encouraged in the Spaniards by many of their sovereigns, foremost among whom was the warrior-King, Charles V. In the beginning of the sixteenth century the crown of Spain passed to this prince, the grandson and heir of Maximilian of Germany, in whose veins flowed the blood of the martial Dukes of Burgundy. Maximilian had done more than any other monarch to encourage and advance the armourer’s art, and Charles V.’s passion for the practice and perfecting of arms, and all that pertained to military equipment, was even greater than that evinced by his grandfather. By a fortunate combination of circumstances, supplemented by his lust of conquest, he found himself the monarch of three realms, in one of which (Spain) the love of arms was almost a mania, while in the other two (Germany and Italy) the armourer’s craft had attained a degree of perfection that has not been approached in any other age or country. The sovereign that could command the services of the Colmans of Augsburg and the Negrolis of Milan was in an unequalled position for one who desired to gratify a taste for armour, and Charles did not neglect his opportunity. He patronised liberally the master-craftsmen of Italy and Germany, sedulously stimulating their rivalry the while, and at his death left to Spain--the worthiest of his realms to inherit it--the finest collection of knightly harnesses that any monarch had ever possessed.
It will be gathered from the following brief sketch that Spain has achieved distinction both as a manufactory and a storehouse of arms. Aragon, and, to a less marked extent, Castile, were always in the van where the improvement of armour was concerned; and although experts consider that Italy set the fashion in the craft during the Middle Ages, it is by no means certain that Barcelona did not, at some periods, assume the lead. Swords, as in the days of the Cæsars, continued to be exported to Italy from Catalonia through the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth centuries, the traffic, curiously enough, being chiefly in the hands of that unwarlike race, the Jews.
But while arms and armour have ever been a study in the Peninsula which has engaged the closest attention of Kings, soldiers, and artificers, no distinct style, no essentially national type of armour was, or could be, evolved. Nor is this fact calculated to cause surprise, for it is obvious that there can be no Spanish school of armoury in the sense that there is a Spanish school of painting, or of music. Weapons and means of defence must vary according to periods rather than localities, and thus it follows that while the armour of one century may be easily distinguished from that of another, to differentiate between a German and a French suit of the same period is always a difficult, frequently an impossible, task. The warrior could not permit himself to be swayed by fanciful or patriotic prejudice in the fashion or make of his arms; his life depended on the stoutness and quality of his weapons, and he secured the best that his means could command wherever they were obtainable. If the enemy were possessed of stronger, more pliant, or better tempered weapons or accoutrements, the soldier had no choice but to learn the methods of his foeman. The secrets of improvements in the science of armoury could only be preserved in times of peace, for, once the weapons were used in the tented field, the riddle of their superiority was solved. The harness of a vanquished knight became, according to the laws of chivalry, the property of his conqueror. In this manner a constant interchange of arms and armour went on through the Iron Ages, and the equipment and methods of victorious and vanquished nations were sooner or later divulged and adopted.
There is, therefore, as has been said, no national school of Spanish arms; and the Royal Armoury itself, although admittedly the finest collection of its kind in the world, is not a gallery of Spanish workmanship. Thanks to the range and extent of the dominion of its founder, Charles V., the Armoury, from its institution, has assumed an international character. Here are suits of harness, the choicest product of native craft, executed at the Emperor’s command, interspersed with the finest works of Germany, of Flanders, and of Italy--gifts, purchases, and the spoils of war. In no other collection of a like nature can be seen so many _chefs d’œuvres_ of the greatest masters of Europe; but while so many of the most important exhibits are of foreign origin, the museum remains essentially the Royal Armoury of Spain--the repository of the armour of its kings, the swords of its captains, and the trophies of its victorious armies.
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Spanish Arms and ArmourChapter I: Preface
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