Maximilian1 - Highlights from the Royal Court Forge of Innsbruck Follow the trail of the iron ore all the way from the Styrian ore mine to England and learn more about how the ore was transported and how Imperial Armourer Konrad Seusenhofer manufactured his elaborate and artfully designed armours. You will find out at the exhibition what role Emperor Maximilian I played in the processing of the ore and the deep meaning the ore had for the Emperor. You will experience a visit of Maximilian I up close inside his armoury.
On May 24, 2023, the new special exhibition ‘Maximilian1 - Highlights from the Royal Court Forge of Innsbruck’ opened at the Imperial Palace Innsbruck and visitors have had the opportunity to see the outstanding craftsmanship of Imperial Armourer Konrad Seusenhofer until 31 October.
This special exhibition, which was a part of the permanent exhibition ‘Maximilian1’, which has opened in 2019, focused on a particular passion of Emperor Maximilian I, namely the traditional art of armour making (plating) and mining. The mining industry has been exemplified on ore mining, transport and processing. Special highlights of the exhibition were the ‘horned helmet’ by Konrad Seusenhofer and kept in the Royal Armouries (Leed, UK) as well as other grotesque helmets from the Livrustkammaren (Stockholm, SWE), the Historical Museum of the City of Bamberg and the Museum Goldenes Dachl.
Emperor Maximilian I (1459-1519) attempted to assert his claims to power in numerous campaigns and battles, which not only swallowed up vast sums of money but also placed the highest demands on the equipment of his soldiers. One of his earliest victories of great military-historical significance was the Battle of Guinegate on 17 August 1479, in the course of which Maximilian I used farm labourers as a new troop element for the first time in history, leading his troops into battle himself. This victory secured the succession to the Duchy of Burgundy for him and his first wife, Maria, and had a decisive influence on the rest of his life.
Almost 34 years later to the day, he would once again claim victory over a French army at Guinegate. In this so-called Battle of the Spurs, Maximilian I could rely on English ruler Henry VIII (1491–1457) as a powerful ally on his side. Several historic depictions show the meeting of the two commanders in the camp near Thérouanne in North France on August 12th, 1513. Diplomatic gifts provide evidence that the two ruling dynasties shared close ties and the two princes shared a passionfor tournaments.
A very special gift is the unique horned helmet commissioned by Maximilian I for Henry VIII. The helmet was part of a complete suit of armour worn by King Henry during his ceremonial processions. The grotesque helmet is decorated with lifelike facial details such as stubbles. Konrad Seusenhofer (died in 1517) succeeded in becoming one of the most important armourers of the early Renaissance in Central Europe. In 1504, Seusenhofer, who lived in Innsbruck, was appointed Royal Court Armourer by Maximilian I and established his own court plating shop in the city. His craftmanship was excellent, although many significant improvements in the production and manufacturing process of the time can be attributed to the ingenuity of Maximilian I himself.
The traditional craft of plating bloomed in Innsbruck under the reign of Emperor Maximilian I. The manufacturing of suits of armour (iron breastplates) and individual parts of armour gained more and more importance thanks to the numerous military campaigns. It became, next to the foundry, which was indispensable to produce cannons, the leading branch of industry in Innsbruck. The Innsbruck foundry could not keep up with the high production rates of its Nuremberg competitors but made up for it in its quality and splendid design, which exceeded Nuremberg’s mass production by a lot.