Buffcoat
Great Hall in Littlecote House
Littlecote House was home to the greatest surviving English Civil Wars armoury. This armoury was bought and saved for the nation by the Royal Armouries Museum. It is on display at the museum in Leeds.
Explore the photograph and discover more about the arms and armour of the English Civil War.
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Great Hall of Littlecote House
This photograph of the Great Hall of Littlecote House shows the Littlecote armoury prior to its acquisition by the Royal Armouries Museum.
Pikemen’s armour
There are no pikemen’s armours in the Great Hall of Littlecote House, I wonder why?
Click here to learn more about pikemen and their armour
Buff coats and baldricks
Buff coats are the thick leather coats worn by English Civil War cavalrymen and officers.
Click here to learn more about buff coats and baldricks
Harquebusier armour
The armour worn by a harquebusier was a helmet, a breastplate, a backplate and sometimes an elbow gauntlet.
Click here to learn more about harquebusier armour
Battle of Marston Moor
The Battle of Marston Moor was fought on 2 July 1644, during the First English Civil War of 1642–1646. This was Prince Rupert’s first ever defeat. and it cemented Oliver Cromwell’s reputation as a cavalry commander.
Click here to view a short video re-enactment of the Battle of Marston Moor
Matchlock muskets
The musket was used by infantry and dragoons. Most muskets used by the infantry were matchlocks as they were cheaper but the muskets used by dragoons were usually the more expensive flintlocks because of the dangers of riding a horse with a burning slowmatch.
Click here to learn more about muskets
Flintlock carbines
The carbine was shorter than a musket and was usually carried by cavalry. They were worn hanging on their right side, from a belt over their left shoulder. It was clipped on to the belt by a spring catch, a bit like a dog lead.
Click here to learn more about carbines and blunderbusses
Cuirassier armour
The cuirassier was the heavy cavalryman of the 17th century. His armour covered him from head to knee and was known as cuirassier armour or three-quarter armour.
Instead of having the legs protected by armour, like full-armour would do, the cuirassier wore long boots instead.
Click here to learn more about cuirassier armour
Swords of the English Civil War
During the English Civil War all types of soldier, cavalry and infantry carried swords. There were different types of sword for cavalry and infantry.
Click here to learn more about swords
Portrait of Colonel Alexander Popham
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