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27th February 2008

Visit the impressive Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds

The Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds is a purpose-built home for the Royal Armouries national collection of arms and armour. The museum was opened in 1996 and spans over 3000 years of history.

Leeds Royal Armouries is based around five themed galleries of war, tournament, oriental, hunting and self -defence. The museum has over 8000 exhibits including jousting tournaments, costumed demonstrations and interactive technology.

The museum exhibits quilts by artist Penny Sisto under the title of ‘Threads Of Strength and Fortitude’ and the manuscripts of the Chronicles of Froissarts.

The Threads of Strength and Fortitude is a series of textiles by artist Penny Sisto. Which was the personal reaction to the topic of slavery and also to mark the 2007 bi – centenary of the abolition of the slave trade in the British Empire.

The Chronicles Of Froissart is the history of ‘Hundred Years’ war, through first hand accounts. There are exhibits of rare medieval and original manuscripts of the John Froissart’s chronicles (Survivor of the Battle of Agincourt). Also included in the exhibition is the finest surviving example of 14th century helmet.

Also included in the Royal Armouries Museums group is Fort Nelson in Hampshire, HM Tower of London and the newest addition the Royal Armouries museum in the USA. Becoming the first time a UK national museum has opened a ‘branch’ in America.

Fort Nelson Hampshire purports to have high drama and explosive actions with large-scale historical battle re – enactments and hands on activity. The museum also boasts a fine collection of tanks and guns.

HM Tower Of London have an expansive European and North American collective, including North African material and non – European.

The new Royal Armouries museum in Louisville, Kentucky, USA was opened on May 22nd 2004. Forming a unique collaboration with the Frazier International History Museum and the Royal Armouries.

It is the first cultural arts institution in the world dedicated to tell the complete American story. Including British and European roots and the history of the British Isles from 1066 to the early 1900s, with a collection 400 artefacts never previously displayed. Also shown are the dramatic life – sized tableaus and narrative state of the art audio - visuals.