cavalry in the sixteenth century.

The next enclosure contains an equestrian figure (X) of Robert Dudley
Earl of Leicester, the favourite of Elizabeth. This fine suit bears all
over it the badge of the Ragged Staff, and is engraved with the badges
and collars of the Garter and of the Order of St. Michael of France. The
suit was made between 1566 and 1588, and is of very great interest as
one of the very few known which also possesses the extra pieces for the
tilt yard, viz.: the Grandguard and the Passguard, ornamented like the
suit, which with them weighs about 83-1/2 lbs. It will be seen that the
extra pieces are for the left side, and the helmet has no air holes on
that side, as the tilters passed left arm to left arm on either side of
the tilt or barrier. The two foot figures are of about the same date.

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.