NAME THAT MUSEUM #4

A tradition of displaying British military strength by creating trophies from masses of weapons has long existed at the Tower. From about 1700 visitors to the Grand Storehouse were stopped in their tracks by John Harris’s stunning displays and models, including a serpent and a seven-headed hydra, which he created from a variety of weapons including muskets, pistols and swords.

A sight ‘no one ever beheld without Astonishment…
not to be matched perhaps in the world’.
William Maitland, 18th century antiquarian

Royal Armouries Head of Creative Programmes, Karen Whitting dreamed up the idea for the mighty beast, inspired by the small figures of a dragon and a hydra in the scale model of the Grand Storehouse. Working with the creative team at Haley Sharpe Design a concept drawing was produced which York-based Paragon Creative have brought wonderfully to life.

Building on the tradition of trophies of arms and armour created at the Tower of London from the late 17th century, this new dragon has been constructed using objects and materials that represent ten institutions which were housed in the Tower.

The Dragon, named “Keeper”, was made up various items that represented the Tower’s many roles & purpose throughout the years. He stands nearly fifteen feet high & weighs 2,600 pounds.

Institutions Parts Originated From

• Ordnance Office – armour, swords, firearms and cannon to create the head, back and body, including 22 antique pistols, four swords, four rifles, two bronze cannon and 20 bayonets.
• Menagerie – a cage for the ribcage
• Prison – 30m of chain to create the tail
• The Royal Mint – 2,000 gold and silver coins, representing the dragon’s fire plus 50 replica trial plates
• Royal Observatory – 26 telescopes
• Ordnance Survey – maps for wings
• Record Office – scrolls for legs
• Jewel House – 400 glass rubies
• Constables – keys hanging around the neck
• Royal Armouries – 8 breastplates, 6 muskets, 15 pollaxes, 10 mail shirts, 4 shields and bucklers

Items Used

Over 2,672 items including:

• 8 breastplates
• 6 muskets
• 22 antique pistols
• 40 shields and bucklers
• 4 swords
• 4 pairs of pauldrons
• 4 pairs of gauntlets
• 4 bronze mortars
• 8 kettle helmets
• 4 Enfield rifles
• 2 bronze canons
• 20 bayonets
• 15 pollaxes
• 10 mail vests
• 4 horse shaffrons
• 26 telescopes
• 2,000 gold and silver coins
• 30m of chain
• 400 ‘rubies’
• 1 replica Henry VIII necklace
• 50 replica trial plates
• 1 set of keys