Disclaimer: I take no responsibility for pen envy or impulse purchases resulting from viewing this post.
Per usual, you can click on the images to view them larger. I do my best to provide you with high-quality pen porn. 😉
I have a small, teeny-tiny, interest in the Tudor era. So, when I first saw this Retro, I had a hard time talking myself out of it. But, I succeeded.
“But how is that possible? You own it!” You may ask. Well, my self-control failed me when I saw it in person at BWIPS.
What I’d failed to notice in photos online is that part of the design is alternating Tudor roses and fleurs-de-lys. Once I saw that, I really had no choice, and cannot be held accountable for my actions.
Now, enough chit-chat, on to the photos.
The Tudor Armor is designed after armor made for George Clifford, Third Earl of Cumberland.
The alternating Tudor roses and fleurs-de-lys in the suit of armor were used with permission from Queen Elizabeth I. At the time, the fleur-de-lys was part of the English coat of arms, despite England no longer controlling land in France.
The two E’s intertwined, Queen Elizabeth’s cypher, were also used with her permission on the suit of armor.
Perhaps most impressive are the finer — for lack of a better word — designs “engraved” on the pen around the main design elements.
But wait, there’s more!
I can’t help myself, I have to share the history behind the suit of armor that inspired this pen. Originally, I assumed it was inspired by Henry VIII’s armor, given that he’s probably the best-known Tudor. But, This pen is that much more dear to me now that I know it matches armor designed with Queen Elizabeth I’s approval.
Queen Elizabeth appointed George Clifford as her Champion when Sir Henry Lee of Ditchley retired. I’m not positive what the difference is between the title of Champion that George Clifford was awarded and the title of King’s/Queen’s Champion that has apparently been held by the Dymoke family since 1377. I think it has to do with the venue — tournaments versus coronations — but I’m not 100% certain.
The armor George Clifford commissioned is considered the finest surviving example of Tudor garniture, meaning it includes many pieces of exchange. These extra pieces enabled the wearer to mix & match their armor, giving them different looks for different forms of tournament combat.
The armor was made under the direction of Master Armorer Jacob Halder at the Greenwich armory established by King Henry VIII. It is blued steel etched and inlaid with gilded designs. The V&A Museum has a fabulous article on the Almain Armourer’s Album with some of the original designs for armor made at the Greenwich armory.
The armor is currently on display at The Met (hence the Retro 51 finial), and I hope to be able to see it at some point.
Thank you for reading until the end. Do you own any pens from Nahvalur? If so, which one(s)? If not, what do you think of the Nautilus? Let me know in the comments! I’d love to hear from you.
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