Current Location: Gallery 31 (Armoury)
Maker(s)
Production:
Unknown
(Probably)
Entities
Categories
Description
A pair of tassets, for a pikeman, decorated with embossed and engraved bands and chevrons. The nearly rectangular tassets are each formed in one piece and embossed to simulate six lames of which the lowest is the deepest. The tassets widen slightly to their lower ends and have rounded lower outer corners. Riveted at the upper edge of each tasset is a pair of elaborately-shaped and fretted hinge hasps of brass. The L-shaped upper ends of the hasps are slotted and fitted with swivel-hooks to fit over and engage the studs riveted at the lower edge of the skirt of the breastplate. The hasps are accurate modern restorations. A later slot has been pierced at the upper edge of each tasset in line with the outer hinge. Several later holes near the lower ends of the hinges have been plugged with rivets.
The main edges of the armour have plain inward turns. The armour is decorated throughout with multiple bands and borders of 'terraced' form that project inwards at intervals as chevrons. The bands are emphasised by single and pairs of incised lines. The armour is decorated throughout with borders and lines of brass-capped rivets, most of which serve as lining-rivets. Part of the pikeman's armour HEN.M.22A-E-1933.
Notes
History note: From Brancepeth Castle, Northumberland. Mr James Stewart Henderson of 'Abbotsford', Downs Road, St Helen's Park, Hastings, Sussex.
Legal notes
J.S. Henderson Bequest
Place(s) associated
Acquisition and important dates
Method of acquisition: Bequeathed
(1933-03-16)
by
Henderson, James Stewart
Dating
17th Century, Early#
Production date:
AD 1630
Note
England; probably Greenwich
The armour is heavily pitted and patinated overall. It may originally have been either bright or blued.
This breastplate was made at the workshop founded by Henry VIII in Greenwich in 1525 when he recruited armourers from the Continent. For much of the 16th century this workshop produced high quality and very distinctive armour for the Tudor court and nobility. In the 17th century the Greenwich armourers were still making armour like this for the top end of the market.
This breastplate has tassets, the plates to protect the thighs, and helmet, called a pot, which is missing its cheekpieces which protected the sides of the face. This type of armour was worn by pikemen, foot soldiers who fought in together in formation, armed with a 16 foot (4 m) long wooden pike with a steel head.
Components of the work
Fretted Hinge Hasps
composed of
brass (alloy)
( modern restorations)
Rivet Caps
composed of
brass (alloy)
Right Tasset
Depth 11.4 cm
Height 30 cm
Weight 1.3 kg
Width 37 cm
Left Tasset
Depth 6.8 cm
Height 30 cm
Weight 1.07 kg
Width 30 cm
Decoration
Parts
Materials used in production
Steel
Techniques used in production
Hammering
: The nearly rectangular tassets are each formed in one piece and embossed to simulate six lames of which the lowest is deepest; hammered, shaped, riveted, hinged, wirh embossed, engraved, and incised decoration
Patinating
Forming
Identification numbers
Accession number: HEN.M.22E-1933
Primary reference Number: 18092
Stable URI
Audit data
Created: Saturday 6 August 2011
Updated: Tuesday 13 April 2021
Last processed: Thursday 7 December 2023
Associated departments & institutions
Owner or interested party:
The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department:
Applied Arts
