European Horse Armour and Cavalry Equipment
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of European horse armour and cavalry equipment that dates from the Roman era to the 20th century. This collection includes a number of objects which reflect the importance of the horse in warfare throughout European history. It includes the complete horse armour commissioned by Sir William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, around 1557 – the only one made at the English Royal Workshop at Greenwich to survive. Other items include approximately 130 spurs, ranging from a Roman example to those worn by army officers of the early 20th century, which show the development from the simple prick spur to the more elaborate rowel-type. Gilt spurs were confined to those of knightly status while other non-ferrous metals were used to coat spurs to protect them from rust caused by sweat and blood from the horse's flank. Other equine-related objects include a rare medieval saddle made of birch wood and stag horn, and three shaffrons (horses' head protection) of the early 16th century, one of which was designed purely for jousting.
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