The next mounted figure (XII) is one still showing the gilt enrichment so many of these suits for the tilt yard originally had.  It was attributed to Robert Earl of Essex, another favourite of his Queen, but has now been identified as the armour made by Jacobe Topf, for Sir John Smith, cousin german to Edward VI, and a great military writer of the sixteenth century.  Many other pieces of this suit are in the Royal collection in Windsor Castle.  The two foot figures came from the Great Armoury at Malta.  Beyond the passage are a mounted figure showing how the lance was held when jousting at the tilt or barrier in the sixteenth century and later, and inferior suits for horsemen, and some other suits from Malta.

On leaving the large room, in the case in the archway will be seen axes, horsemen’s hammers and maces, all designed for breaking and rending armour.  Observe also various forms of the bayonet, from the early plug bayonet to the later socketed type of that weapon.

The first case on the right contains crossbows of various types.  This weapon, at no time our national arm, was used for the defence of fortresses, and later on for sport.  The heavy kind were bent by means of arrangements of pulleys, the windlass, or a kind of lifting jack called the Cranequin or Cric.  The lighter forms were bent by an attached lever called the Goat’s Foot.  Specimens of these are in the case, as also two bowstaves from the wreck of the Mary Rose, 1545, and some leaden sling bullets from the battle field of Marathon.  In the next case are firearms of early types.  Among these observe two guns which belonged to Henry VIII, both of them breechloaders on a system resembling the modern Snider rifle.  Note also the German Reiter wheel-lock pistols, with ball pommel; the William III match-lock, with plug bayonet stuck in the muzzle; the bandoliers, each containing twelve charges of powder and a bullet bag; the Vauban lock, combining the flint and match; also a still earlier form of this lock of English make.  Montecucuh says he had similar locks made, having seen them used still earlier by the Turks.

The next case contains rapiers and swords and bucklers.  Observe the raised bars on the latter, to entangle and break the sword-point.  The mounted figure in brown armour shows the equipment of the cavalry in the early part of the seventeenth century, the armour being browned or blacked to prevent rust and to avoid detection at a distance.

The figure (XXIV) in the first enclosure is that of James II.  It will be seen that it only consists of a headpiece, breast and back plates, and a long gauntlet to protect the bridle arm.  All the pieces bear the King’s initials, and the face guard is pierced with the design of the Royal Arms.  The next equestrian figure is a gilt suit of Charles I (XIX), said to have been given to him by the City of London.  It is the latest complete suit in the collection, and was probably never worn by him.