In ascending the staircase, just as you come to the landing-place, on casting your eye into the room, you see the figure of a grenadier in his acoutrements, as if upon duty, with his piece rested upon his arm; which is so well done, that at the first glance you will be apt to mistake it for real life.
When you enter the room, your conductor presents to your notice,
1. The figures of the horse and foot on your left-hand, supposed to be drawn up in military order to attend the kings on the other side of the house. These figures are as big as the life, and have been lately new painted.
2. A large tilting lance of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, King Henry the Eighth’s general in France; a nobleman who excelled at the then fashionable diversion of tilting.
3. A complete suit of tilting armour, such as the kings, nobility and gentlemen at arms used to wear; with the tilting lance, the rest for the lance, and grand guard.
4. A complete suit of armour made for King Henry VIII. when he was but eighteen years of age, rough from the hammer. It is at least six feet high, and the joints in the hands, arms and thighs, knees and feet play like the joints of a rattle snake, and are moved with all the facility imaginable.
The method of learning the exercise of tilting, was upon wooden horses set upon castors, which by the sway of the body could be moved every way; so that by frequent practice, the rider could shift, parry, strike, unhorse, and recover with surprizing dexterity. Some of the horses in this armoury have been used for this purpose; and it is but lately that the castors have been taken from their feet.
5. A little suit of armour made for King Charles II. when Prince of Wales, and about seven or eight years of age; with a piece of armour for his horse’s head; the whole most curiously wrought and inlaid with silver.
6. Lord Courcy’s armour. This nobleman, as the warders tell you, was grand champion of Ireland, and as a proof shew you the very sword he took from the French champion; for which valiant action he and all his successors have the honour to wear their hats in the King’s presence, which privilege is still enjoyed by the Lord Kinsale, as head of that antient and noble family.
7. Real coats of mail, called Brigandine Jackets. They consist of small bits of steel, so artfully quilted one over another, as to resist the point of a sword, and perhaps a musket ball, and yet are so flexible, that the wearer might bend his body any way, as well as in his ordinary clothes.