SE10 Greenwich

This helmet was made for the sport of jousting or tilting rather than for warfare. We know this because there are breathing holes on only one side of the front. This is characteristic of tournament helmets. It was made at the Royal Workshop in Greenwich around 1610.

Armour in Greenwich

King Henry VIII set up the Royal Workshop in 1511. The king brought specialist craftsmen from Germany and Italy to work there. They produced the finest armour for the king and other wealthy customers. With the increase in firearms in the 17th century armour changed. The Royal Workshop stopped producing armour in the middle of the 17th century.

Tournaments

Tournaments began as 'fighting games' to practise for war. By the late 15th century they were highly ordered and sophisticated. The games included the tourney (mock battles), the joust (mounted knights) and foot combat. Specialised weapons and armour were used. Royal tournaments were held at special grounds at the palaces of Greenwich and Whitehall in London.