This display spotlights the world-famous Avant Armour.
The Avant Armour is displayed together with other armour and decorative but deadly weapons.
The armour is one of the oldest near-complete armours in the world. It dates from about 1440.
It is beautifully shaped to fit its owner perfectly so as not to hinder manoeuvrability. It provides excellent protection against the various weapons that would be encountered on the medieval battlefield.
Certain parts of the armour are almost four millimetres thick.
It is often referred to as the Avant armour as this word – meaning ‘Forward!’ – is inscribed on the edges of the breastplate. The armour was made in the renowned armour-making city of Milan.