A line of kings’ armour for the 21st century opens at Tower of London

Ready for battle: visitor Oliver Dean, 12, tries out one of the suits of amour
12 April 2012

A chronology of kings' armour from Henry VIII to modern times is recreated at the Tower of London for the first time in a century.

The new permanent display, Fit For A King, opening tomorrow, is a chronological history of 500 years of royalty similar to how visitors to the tower in the 19th century would have viewed them.

It begins with two contrasting sets of armour created for King Henry VIII, one showing the youthful monarch in about 1515, and another from a quarter of a century later showing the staggering weight he accrued.

It progresses through gilt armour engraved for King Charles I, to replica tunics of the Household Cavalry regiment as worn by Princes William and Harry.

Curator Bridget Clifford said the display was "a line of kings for the 21st century".

It is far more accurate than displays from Elizabethan times onwards, making use of lighting and glass technology, she added.

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