It was to that gentleman that the late King Alfonso XII., soon after his accession, entrusted the complete re-organisation of the collection. This was a work presenting extraordinary difficulties, and after three years of incessant labour, the Conde had the mortification of seeing a fierce fire break out, which in the night of July 9th, 1884, reduced to ashes sixty-two flags taken from the enemy, twenty leather shields, and all the wooden figures prepared for the arrangement of the armour.
Without hesitation the work was begun all over again. The King added new and priceless acquisitions to the collection, among these being eleven examples of fifteenth-century brigandine armour (quilted jackets with the additional protection of plates of iron secured among the pads) discovered in Aragon, and several of the finest pieces in the armouries of the Dukes of Osuna and del Infantado.
Her Majesty Queen Cristina, during her regency, was not forgetful of the interest taken by her lamented husband in this magnificent Museum of Arms; and, thanks to her, the number of its treasures has been materially increased. Nor is it likely that any opportunity of adding to the value and usefulness of the collection will be neglected during the reign of a young Monarch devoted, like so many of his illustrious ancestors, to manly exercises and chivalrous traditions.
(1 TO 5). CROWNS AND VOTIVE CROSSES OF GUARRAZAR. (6). REMAINS OF ST. FERDINAND’S ROBE. (7). MOORISH SPURS OF ST. FERDINAND. ]
CLOAK AND SPURS OF ST. FERDINAND AND VISIGOTHIC BIT.]
DON BERNARDO GUILLEN DE ENTENZA, 13TH CENTURY.]
DON GUILLELMO RAMON DE MONCADA, SENESCHAL OF CATALONIA, DIED CIRCA 1280
[Illustration: DON JUAN ALFONSO, LORD OF AJOFRIN, DIED ABOUT 1386.]
G 22. SWORD AND SCABBARD, PROBABLY BELONGING TO ST. FERDINAND.]
[Illustration: G 21. THE LOBERA OF ST. FERDINAND.]
G 22. SWORD AND SCABBARD THAT PROBABLY BELONGED TO ST. FERDINAND.]
SEPULCHRAL EFFIGY OF DON BERNARDO DE ANGLESOLA, CIRCA 1384.]
F 123. BIT, BELIEVED TO HAVE BELONGED TO VITIZA, KING OF THE VISIGOTHS.]
[Illustration: D 11. HELMET-CREST OF MARTIN I. OF ARAGON.]
G 4. PONTIFICAL SWORD PRESENTED BY POPE EUGENE IV. TO JOHN II. OF CASTILE.
G 13. 15TH CENTURY WAR SWORD. PROBABLY BELONGED TO FERDINAND THE CATHOLIC.]