The Line of Kings - Part 5

In 2011 it was decided to re-display the ‘Line’. New research was undertaken by the curators into the principal objects, manuscripts, and printed accounts of the historic displays. During 2012 the 17th century wooden horses and some heads formerly used in the armoured figures underwent scientific testing. This included paint analysis, tree ring analysis, examination by fibre-optic cameras, and X-rays. 

Original documents at The National Archives were also re-examined. The results showed interesting differences in the construction methods and paintwork. It was not possible though to prove definite connections between horses or heads and craftsmen named in the original documents. In early 2013 new exhibition designs for the Line of Kings were approved and the old display closed ready for the new.

While certain armours were correctly attributed to their owners even in the 17th century most were not. Today’s exhibition shows how careful study in the 19th century began to accurately identify objects that had once been labelled as the armours of ‘William the Conqueror’, ‘John of Gaunt’ or a present from ‘the Great Mogul’.

On a busy day today more people visit the display than all of those who saw the Horse Armoury in a whole year during the 18th century. Today’s exhibition has to cope with visitors who move through the gallery by themselves without the benefit of a guide. Furthermore, the objects and our attitudes towards them have changed. The Line of Kings was originally planned to be a spectacular display. Each wooden horse was ‘ridden’ by a king in armour. That is no longer possible because some horses are unable to support the extra weight. The armours are displayed inside showcases instead.