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Halbard Collection

The halberd, a weapon of choice for mercenary soldiers like the Landsknechte, holds a rich historical significance

Background imageHalbard Collection: Mercenary soldiers. Landsknechte

Mercenary soldiers. Landsknechte. Engraving after etching by Daniel Hopfer, 1530. Museo Militar, 1883. Later colouration. Date: 2020

Background imageHalbard Collection: English Protestants being drowned by Irish Catholics during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, c

English Protestants being drowned by Irish Catholics during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, c. 1865 (wood engraving)
KW441379 English Protestants being drowned by Irish Catholics during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, c.1865 (wood engraving) by English School

Background imageHalbard Collection: Halberdiers of a Princes cortege, 1615-1620 (engraving)

Halberdiers of a Princes cortege, 1615-1620 (engraving)
957961 Halberdiers of a Princes cortege, 1615-1620 (engraving) by Jacquemin, Raphael (1821-81); Private Collection; (add.info.: Halberdiers of a Princes cortege, 1615-1620)

Background imageHalbard Collection: Spanish-American war in Spain, the Queen reading her message to the Cortes, Madrid

Spanish-American war in Spain, the Queen reading her message to the Cortes, Madrid
REV287701 Spanish-American war in Spain, the Queen reading her message to the Cortes, Madrid, illustration from Le Petit Journal, Supplement illustre, 8th May 1898 (colour litho) by Meaulle, F.L

Background imageHalbard Collection: Eighteenth Century Parisian Troops: Watchman and Archers of the Town in Ceremonial

Eighteenth Century Parisian Troops: Watchman and Archers of the Town in Ceremonial
XIR174840 Eighteenth Century Parisian Troops: Watchman and Archers of the Town in Ceremonial Uniform, engraved by D. Noirmont (coloured engraving) by Marbot

Background imageHalbard Collection: Trade card with an an image of an halberd (chromolitho)

Trade card with an an image of an halberd (chromolitho)
963943 Trade card with an an image of an halberd (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Trade card with an an image of an halberd inset)

Background imageHalbard Collection: Officer of Musketeers, 1638 (carved wood)

Officer of Musketeers, 1638 (carved wood)
XJF441275 Officer of Musketeers, 1638 (carved wood) by English School, (17th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The elaborately carved staircase at Cromwell House in Highgate, North London)

Background imageHalbard Collection: View of the royal castle of Pau where King Henri IV of France and Navarre (1553-1610

View of the royal castle of Pau where King Henri IV of France and Navarre (1553-1610
REV346176 View of the royal castle of Pau where King Henri IV of France and Navarre (1553-1610) was born on 13th December 1553 (detail) (see also 346175) (oil on canvas) by Millin du Perreux

Background imageHalbard Collection: View of the royal castle of Pau where King Henri IV of France and Navarre (1553-1610

View of the royal castle of Pau where King Henri IV of France and Navarre (1553-1610
REV346175 View of the royal castle of Pau where King Henri IV of France and Navarre (1553-1610) was born on 13th December 1553 (see also 346176) (oil on canvas) by Millin du Perreux

Background imageHalbard Collection: Sixteenth century costumes from Omnium Poene Gentium Imagines

Sixteenth century costumes from Omnium Poene Gentium Imagines
HIG294423 Sixteenth century costumes from Omnium Poene Gentium Imagines, published in Cologne, 1577 (hand-coloured engraving) by Bruyn

Background imageHalbard Collection: The Relief of Genoa, 1528, c. 1634-35 (oil on canvas)

The Relief of Genoa, 1528, c. 1634-35 (oil on canvas)
SCP36843 The Relief of Genoa, 1528, c.1634-35 (oil on canvas) by Pereda y Salgado, Antonio (1611-78); 290x370 cm; Prado, Madrid, Spain; Spanish, out of copyright

Background imageHalbard Collection: Map of Calais, from Civitates Orbis Terrarum by Georg Braun (1541-1622

Map of Calais, from Civitates Orbis Terrarum by Georg Braun (1541-1622
STC121032 Map of Calais, from Civitates Orbis Terrarum by Georg Braun (1541-1622) and Frans Hogenberg (1535-90), 1597 (colour engraving) by Hoefnagel

Background imageHalbard Collection: Halberds and spears. From the Antiquities of the Russian State, 1849-1853

Halberds and spears. From the Antiquities of the Russian State, 1849-1853. Private Collection

Background imageHalbard Collection: Halberd and battle axe. From the Antiquities of the Russian State, 1849-1853

Halberd and battle axe. From the Antiquities of the Russian State, 1849-1853. Private Collection

Background imageHalbard Collection: History of Spain. Reconquista. Battle between Christian troo

History of Spain. Reconquista. Battle between Christian troops and saracens in lands of Zamora. 11th century. Translation of Our Lady of Saint Antolin to Zamora by the Palentines

Background imageHalbard Collection: The Resurrection (oil on panel)

The Resurrection (oil on panel)
XIR331779 The Resurrection (oil on panel) by Bouts, Albrecht (1451/55-1549); Mauritshuis, The Hague, The Netherlands; (add.info)

Background imageHalbard Collection: St. Matthew (woodcut) (b / w photo)

St. Matthew (woodcut) (b / w photo)
XJF137985 St. Matthew (woodcut) (b/w photo) by German School, (16th century); Private Collection; German, out of copyright

Background imageHalbard Collection: Nathans Weapons

Nathans Weapons
3rd May 1930: Medieval weaponry and armour belonging to costumers Nathan s, including a pike, halbard, spear, mace, axe, long sword and broadsword. (Photo by Sasha/Getty Images)


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The halberd, a weapon of choice for mercenary soldiers like the Landsknechte, holds a rich historical significance. It witnessed poignant moments such as Margaret Roper bidding farewell to her father, Sir Thomas More, on the Tower Wharf in an engraving that captures their emotional bond. In another engraving from 1559 titled "Justice, " we see the halberd symbolizing authority and power. However, not all depictions are serene; some reveal darker chapters of history. A wood engraving portrays English Protestants being drowned by Irish Catholics during the Irish Rebellion of 1641. This haunting image serves as a reminder of religious conflicts that stained our past. Moving forward in time, we witness the Spanish-American war through an intriguing scene where Queen Isabella reads her message to the Cortes in Madrid. The halberdiers surrounding her represent protection and loyalty. In Eighteenth Century Parisian Troops' depiction, watchmen and archers don ceremonial attire with halberds at their side—a display of grandeur and tradition within military ranks. Trade cards featuring chromolitho images further emphasize the cultural impact of this weapon throughout different eras. Additionally, carved wood showcases an officer of Musketeers wielding a halberd with finesse in 1638. Lastly, we glimpse into King Henri IV's reign with a view of his royal castle in Pau—an emblematic location where he left his mark on France's history while surrounded by loyal guards armed with halberds. These glimpses into artistry and historical events highlight how the halberd played its part across centuries—whether as a symbol of familial love or political power—leaving an indelible mark on our collective memory.