Heavy Jousting Armor (Stechzeug) of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I (1459–1519)

about 1485

workshop of Lorenz Helmschmied

(German, active Augsburg, 1477–1515)

Germany, 15th century

Steel and leather

Lent by the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer, Vienna 9.2022

Location: 210A Armor Court

This artwork is known to be under copyright.

Did You Know?

The mark of Lorenz Helmschmid from Augsburg (Bavaria, Germany) appears on this armor, one of the foremost armorers in late medieval Europe.

Description

Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I commissioned this suit from one of the foremost armorers in late medieval Europe for his coronation as King of the Romans in 1486. The emperor, a noted patron of fine armor, sponsored some of the most extravagant tournaments of his era. This suit was made for a Stechen, a joust of peace with blunted lances. As some such jousts eliminated tilt barriers, walls between mounted combatants, the possibility of dangerous collisions necessitated specialized armor. A blind shaffron, the horse's head defense, ensured the horse did not deviate from its course in fear of collision. A large “frog-mouthed” helmet covered a second padded helmet to protect and immobilize the wearer’s head.