15de-eeuws harnas met verschillende steekwapens uit het leger van Lodewijk XI van Frankrijk, uit de collectie van het Musée d'Artillerie in Parijs before 1882

This is an anonymous 15th-century photograph of a suit of armour from the army of Louis XI of France, now held in the Musée d'Artillerie in Paris. The image captures the material culture of late medieval warfare. Consider the cultural context in which noble identity was inextricably tied to military prowess. Armour, like this, wasn't just protection; it symbolized status, wealth, and power in a rigid hierarchical society. Each piece, from helmet to sabaton, speaks to the material and symbolic language of dominance. The fleur-de-lis emblazoned on the armour highlights allegiance to the French crown, reinforcing themes of loyalty and national identity. How did the armor wearer feel wearing this suit? This image invites us to consider not only the craftsmanship and history embedded in the armor, but the embodied experience of those who wore it.