Charles V is equipped in the manner of the light cavalry with a half-pike and wheel-lock pistol in the front saddle-tree. His armour was made in 1545 by Desiderius Helmschmid (1513-1579). Following a practice first introduced in 1531, the breastplate has an image of the Virgin and Child. The Emperor’s head is protected by a morion with three rope-twist crests. The helmet is covered with a close-fitting cap in matte grey leather, to which Titian applied light brushstrokes to create an effect of fur.

Entry on the Mühlberg Armour. Catalogue, The Art of Power, by Álvaro Soler del Campo (archive pdf; 345kb )

Seacex Glossary (archive pdf; 375kb)