Dressed to Kill, Henry VIII re-assessed

2009 marks the 500th anniversary of the coronation of King Henry VIII of England. Henry was one of the most colourful of English monarchs whose actions had a major impact on the country’s heritage. However, as with so many historical figures, the modern view of Henry is based more on the Hollywood portrayal of his character than fact. To most of us Henry was a grossly obese, unpleasant individual with awful table manners and a habit of executing his wives. While there may be some truth in this image, Henry wasn’t always an overweight, diseased despot. In his younger days he was regarded as the epitome of Kingship, handsome, athletic and extremely well read.

Royal Armouries are staging an exhibition in conjunction with Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) at the Tower of London to mark the 500th anniversary of his coronation. The exhibition will offer an accurate illustration of the King throughout his reign. Fortunately a number of Henry’s armours have survived. These armours were custom made and tailored to fit the King at various stages of his life. By examining these it is possible to see Henry’s true size from when he was a young, athletic man through to his later years.

The team at Royal Armouries took the innovative decision to scan different armours using non-contact laser scanning technology. This would give them completely accurate 3D models of the armours which would enable them to “reverse engineer” the monarch. The scanned armour would also be used to create 3D computer images for the production of real time interactive displays, it is also hoped that the highly accurate but non-invasive measurement would reveal details in the armours that would not be possible through visual examination.

Royal Armouries appointed The Scan Team to carry out the scanning and subsequent data processing with the scanning exercise taking place at two locations: Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds and the Tower of London.

The armours presented The Scan Team with a number of unique challenges: First and foremost was the fact that the armours were unique and priceless, so any work undertaken had to be closely planned and supervised.

Secondly, the Victorian keepers of the armours had over cleaned and polished them, resulting in the loss of the original finish, leaving a shining steel surface. Because of the rarity and importance of the armour, none of the preparation techniques normally used when scanning metal surfaces, such as applying matt powder spray, were possible due to the possible risk of damaging the steel and leather components.

Thirdly, the Royal Armouries team were keen to gain as much information as possible from the exercise, as it was unlikely that a similar opportunity to access so many pieces in such detail would occur again.

• The ability of the Range 7 to scan reflective surfaces with minimal sample preparation meant that it was not necessary to use matt powder spray which may have had a detrimental effect on the armours. This could not be achieved with alternative scanners.

• The Range 7 is the most accurate scanner of its type in the market. The precise resolution (0.08mm in viewing, 0.004mm in depth) enables every detail of the complicated surface to be identified, and the high accuracy of the Range 7 makes the resultant image as accurate as possible.

• The compact design of the Range 7 offered The Scan Team complete flexibility when working around the complex pieces.

• The ability to easily combine multiple scans in the Range Viewer software in real time and without the need to apply markers enabled The Scan Team to clearly monitor the scan progress and ensure no details were missed.

• Scanning with the Range 7 does not require special lighting or a dark room and thus the scanning was carried out under normal ambient lighting conditions.

The data provided in the scans has given Royal Armouries far greater insight into the methods of manufacture.

Peter Armstrong, Director of Royal Armories said:

"The sanning work carried out to date on the Henry VIII armours has already given Royal Armouries a new and unique perspective into their contruction. Being able to journey back over 500 years and see the actual hammer blows made by some of the finest armour makers who ever lived, has brought the objects to life. This work will not only play a major part in the international Henry VIII, Dressed to Kill exhibition at the Tower of Londing in 2009 but will increase the Museum's knowledge of this iconic king's armour for generations to come."