In the 16th century, workshops appeared in Greenwich (once this area was a suburb of London), where invited German gunsmiths created beautiful armor for the monarch and courtiers. In 1557–1587 The Almain Armourers' Album book was released with 29 full-length images of armor. In the second half of the 16th century, Jacob Halder worked in one of the Greenwich workshops, who completed an order for the Lord Chancellor Christopher Hutton and Henry, Prince of Wales.
The armor presented here was made by Halder for the English aristocrat George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland. Clifford participated in the war against the Spaniards, financed military expeditions, and also became famous for victories in jousting tournaments. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth, he became the second champion, but gambling and a love of luxury led to bankruptcy. The war with Spain made it possible to restore their financial situation.
George Clifford's armor is designed to take part in tournaments and in battle. This is one of the best preserved sets made in the Greenwich workshops. Some parts are interchangeable so that the owner can prepare for a competition with other knights or for real combat operations: grandguard, passguard, wamplets, a closed helmet with a removable visor, etc. Heraldic lilies, Tudor rose and Elizabeth's monogram became the main decorations of the armor.
