RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Uličný, Petr
T1 Bella, & rara armaria di sua Altezza: Prague Castle Armories in the Time of Ferdinand II, Archduke of Austria
JF Průzkumy památek
YR 2018
VO 25
IS 1
SP 25
OP 46
DO 10.56112/pp.2018.1.03
UL https://pruzkumypamatek.cz/en/artkey/prp-201801-0003.php
AB In 1567, after twenty years as Governor in the Czech Lands, the Archduke of Further Austria Ferdinand II (1529-1595) moved from Prague Castle to Ambras near Innsbruck, taking along 347 pounds of personal armour and weapons. They were the heart of his renowned Ambras collection, enshrined in four armouries and included the armours of remarkable military commanders of his time which constituted the special 'Armoury of Heroes'. It is evident, that he began to collect the armour in Bohemia, yet detailed information was not previously gathered. The article fills in this gap by presenting the armouries and their contents during Ferdinand's governance at Prague Castle (1547-1567) including the archduke's beautiful and precious armoury that was situated above the White Tower gate. Although more extensive research is needed to illustrate the detailed furnishings of this space, the article is the first to provide complex information about the number, functions, and appearances of the many castle armouries and thus may lay a foundation for further research.