Dressed to kill: Henry VIII's life in armour
As the Tower of London unveil a vast exhibition of Henry VIII’s armour on the 500th anniversary of his coronation, we go behind the scenes to bring you the highlights of the collection
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The poster for the exhibition outside the Tower of London
Photograph: Rex Features
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Henry VIII’s body and horse armour
Photograph: Rex Features
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A horned helmet made by master armourer Konrad Seusenhofer, presented to Henry VIII by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I sometime between 1511-15
Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA
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The Wilton armour, made in about 1544, and possibly the last armour of Henry VIII
Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi
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Henry VIII wore this tonlet armour for a friendly tournament with King Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520. It was constructed in three months after the rules of the contest were changed, requiring a new outfit
Photograph: Gary Ombler/Royal Armouries
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Front view of the 1540 Greenwich armour garniture of Henry VIII, decorated with designs by the artist Hans Holbein the Younger. Some think the considerable size of the groin defence, commonly known as the cod piece, was a propaganda device to promote Henry’s virility, despite his difficulties in fathering a son and heir
Photograph: Gary Ombler/Royal Armouries
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The 1540 Greenwich armour garniture installed at the exhibition
Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi
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Detail of the 1540 Greenwich armour garniture
Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA
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Flemish engraved and embossed ‘Burgundian Bard’, or horse, armour, presented to a youthful Henry VIII by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I sometime between 1511-15
Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA
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Tonlet armour of Henry VIII for foot combat
Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi
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Possibly the oldest football in the world, discovered in the 1980s in the roof above Mary Queen of Scots’ bedroom at Stirling castle. It is thought Mary - a keen football fan and possible player - may have put it there to ward away demons
Photograph: Rex Features
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Some of Henry’s many helmets
Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi
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