Showing Royal Armouries: Official guide by Peter Hammond

Arms and armour have always been kept at the Tower, at first for the use of the garrison, but by the reign of that warlike king Edward III, for the supply of the royal armies and fleets. Nothing remains of this medieval arsenal, however, for when Henry VIII became king in 1509, he quickly had the Tower completely re-stocked with up-to-date armour and weapons.

After Henry's death the contents of armouries in other palaces, including some of the King's own arms and armour, were brought to the Tower, and, together with what remained there of the royal arsenal, became in effect a museum, celebrating the King who was already a figure of legend. Only privileged visitors were admitted.

In 1644, after the outbreak of the Civil War, a number of other armours which had been in royal Possession were brought to the Tower, including several of Henry VIII's .....