Guard Gallery

Japanese warrior woman with naginata

Japanese warrior woman with a large Naginata. A naginata is a pole weapon that was traditionally used in Japan by members of the samurai class. It consists of a wood shaft with a curved blade on the end, similar to the Chinese Guan Dao or European glaive or Russian sovnya. Usually it also had a sword-like guard (tsuba) between the blade and shaft as depicted on this card. During the Edo Period, as the naginata became less useful for men on the battlefield, and became a symbol of the social status of women of the samurai class. A functional naginata was often a traditional part of a samurai daughter's dowry. Women of the samurai class were expected to be capable of defending their homes while their husbands were away at war!

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10417767

The Guard Who Dropped It

A humorous illustration showing a terrified guardsman who has dropped his rifle. Bateman (1887-1970) was a popular artist and regularly contributed to the Sketch, the Tatler and the Bystander. His efficient, bold style depicting social faux-pas was ground breaking for its time and his work is a brilliant reflection of the period

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10224080

Fitzwilliam Bewicke-Copley wedding

Scene at the wedding of Lord Fitzwilliam (Major Hubert Francis Fitzwilliam Brabazon Foljambe) to the Hon Gladys Bewicke-Copley, with an archway of swords provided by the Royal Horse Guards, who acted as guard of honour. They went to live in Pont Street, London. Sadly, Lord Fitzwilliam was killed in action in September 1914 while serving in France with the King's Royal Rifle Corps during the First World War

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10410516