The shield (A109), embossed with the devices of Burgundy and the Golden Fleece, was found in the province of Burgos, where it was bought for seven pesetas. It was purchased for the nation by Alfonso XII. at a cost of 1,250 pesetas.
The suit A112, plate 28, though of the same pattern as those just described, is the work of the Italian artificer, Caremolo Mondrone, of Milan. It is one of two suits presented to the Emperor by the Duke of Mantua, in gratitude for favours received and anticipated. The gift elicited the following letter of thanks from Charles (Bertolotti, Arti minori):
“Carolus Augustus D. F. C. Romanorum Imperator. III. Princeps consange. Carissima:
“Las armas q. nos truxo Caremolo nos ha parescido muy bien y estamos muy contento dellas porque son muy bien acabadas ya nostra voluntad, y lo quedamos del animo con que se embiaro porque lo tenemos bien conoscido y habemos lo que en el hay para nostras cosas. El nostro para las vestrases de la misma manera como es razon. Caremolo dira particularmente lo demas q. toca a las armas. Dat. ex Palencia a quatro de Septembre an. de MDXXXIIIJ.—Carolus.”
The harness was made in 1534 specially for the African expedition which the Emperor was planning at that time, and was worn by him on his triumphal entry into Tunis. The decoration has disappeared, all but a band of embossed leaves round the border of the tassets. The closeness of the fit and the flowing lines recall the best days of the armourer’s art.
The helmet has a pointed visor and beavor in one piece, with perforations on each side. The breastplate is moderately globose, the espaliers composed of narrow laminæ bolted on to the breast and backplates. Rondels defend the armpits. The coudes are large. The genouillères are composed of narrow articulated plates.
In gratitude for his investiture with the principality of Monteferrato, the Duke of Mantua, in 1536, sent the Emperor a second suit of armour (A114—plate 29) by the same artificer, and of the same design:
On receipt of these gifts the Emperor replied in the following terms:
“Carolus Divina favente Clemencia. Roman. Imp. August. Illustria Princeps consanguine carissime.
“Las armas son muy buenas, y nos han parescido en extremo bien y contentado mucho, y assy nos ha satisfecho el armero al qual havremos plazer que por nuestro respecto tengais por encomendado. De Alba á 23 de Julio de 1536.—Carolus.”