Southampton Armour

Acquisition of a cuirassier armour owned by Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton (1573-1624), Shakespeare's friend and patron. The 60lb armour is etched and fire-gilt with a design of interlacing laurel branches, entwined snakes and birds, all in the late Mannerist style. A portrait of Lord Southampton on loan to the National Portrait Gallery shows the Earl with part of the armour, and it is likely that he acquired it on his campaign in the Low Countries in 1614. It was probably made in Antwerp and its importance to the Armouries lies in its uniqueness as an example of workmanship from an important school, as well as a relic of an important Elizabethan courtier and patron of Shakespeare.