Why was this horse armour so intricately decorated? with Assistant Curator, Eleanor Wilkinson-Keys

This video features Curator Emeritus Nick Hall from the Royal Armouries at Fort Nelson, showcasing a 16th-century Flemish gun. The firearm is notable for its intricate, mythical detailing, including a mermaid and a wyvern. The Royal Armouries, the UK's national collection of arms and armour, invites viewers to learn more about their collection online, support their work through donations, and consider museum membership. The video highlights the museum's commitment to bringing history to life through various exhibits and expert insights.

This video, Episode 5 of a series, details the planning of a Tudor tournament on May 8th, 1520, in Brussels, inspired by historical expenditure records. It focuses on the 'Field of Cloth of Gold,' a lavish diplomatic summit between Henry VIII of England and Francis I of France, aimed at securing peace. The summit featured grand tournaments including jousting, tourneys, and foot combat, and was a significant display of royal magnificence. The Royal Armouries, the UK's national collection of arms and armour, presents this historical narrative.

This video is the second episode in a series focusing on the historical preparations for the Field of Cloth of Gold, a diplomatic summit between England's Henry VIII and France's Francis I in 1520. This episode specifically details activities in Brussels on April 17th, 1520, inspired by an archive of expenditure for weapons. The series explores the grand tournament, jousting, and foot combat aspects of this opulent event, highlighting the Royal Armouries' connection to historical arms and armor. The content delves into Tudor power, royal magnificence, and the historical context of Anglo-French relations.

This video offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Royal Armouries museum, specifically focusing on Henry VIII's tonlet armour. The armour is highlighted as being rapidly created for the significant Field of the Cloth of Gold tournament in 1520, where Henry VIII famously met with Francis I of France. The content delves into the historical context and creation of this impressive piece of military attire, showcasing a historical artifact rather than modern firearms.

This lecture by Joe Tryner, PhD Student at The University of Sheffield, explores the evolution of portable firearms during the Italian Wars (1494-1560) and their societal impact. It details the development of matchlock, wheel-lock, flintlock arquebuses, and pistols in production centers like Italy and southern Germany, highlighting their effect on battlefield tactics and their rapid spread into civilian life. The talk uses the example of goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini to illustrate early gun cultures, examines the appeal of firearms in 16th-century Italy across various social strata, and offers a new perspective on this period by exposing the realities of early modern warfare and the Italian Renaissance.

This video features Assistant Curator Iason Tzouriadis exploring a specific Italian Partizan, believed to have been imported by Henry VIII in the early 16th century. The discussion delves into the broader history of staff weapons and Partizans, with a particular focus on Bolognese variants. The video provides insights into the object's origins and historical context, directing viewers to the Royal Armouries collection for more information.

This video features Ian McCollum and Jonathan Ferguson in a 60-second challenge at the Royal Armouries to find three unique firearms: a Charlton Automatic Rifle, a Schwarzlose Model 1898 pistol, and an early SA80 prototype. They discuss unusual mechanical operations and limited historical impact, highlighting experimental designs like the Sterling 7.62mm prototype and the Mars .45 Automatic Pistol.

The Knight's Armament KS-1, designated L403A1 by the British Army, is a new AR-15 platform rifle adopted for specialized units like the Army Special Operations Brigade and Royal Marines. It features a 13.7-inch barrel, ambidextrous controls, and is equipped with a Vortex 1-10x LPVO and an Aimpoint ACRO P-2 for versatile engagement ranges. The rifle utilizes a KAC QDC/MCQ-PRT suppressor and is part of 'Project Hunter' to enhance interoperability with allied forces.

This video details the armor and weaponry of an 11th-century Norman knight, emphasizing the evolution of protective gear. It covers the padded undergarments, the mail hauberk constructed from thousands of iron rings, and the nasal helmet for head protection. The kite shield offered significant defense, while primary weapons included the lance and a one-handed sword.

This video explores a unique modernization attempt of the Martini-Henry rifle using Captain Harston's Patent Magazine. Jonathan Ferguson details the Mark IV rifle's features and the external magazine's mechanism, designed to convert the single-shot rifle into a five-round repeater. Despite its ingenuity, the system faced issues with reliability, high conversion costs, and was ultimately overshadowed by superior bolt-action designs like the Lee-Metford.