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Musketeer |
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Click on
shaded areas of this
image to
see examples of artifacts from DHR archaeological collections.
An illustrated
military exercise manual entitled The Exercise of Armes was
published in 1607 by the graphic artist Jacob de Gheyn II. The
publication reflected military reforms that took place in the
Netherlands during the last 10 years of the 16th-century.
Three groups of
military exercises are portrayed in detailed engravings: the
musketeers, as shown
here; pikemen (as
shown in our image map Pikeman); and the shot
(a unit that carried a firearm called a caliver
(not
illustrated).
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Each group includes examples of
men wearing the clothing and equipment generally thought of as
appropriate for that type of unit. All the men in each unit would
not have been equipped exactly alike, as they are in military units
today. |
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The
Musketeer
is holding a matchlock musket, or arquebus as it was called
in the 16th-century. From his shoulder hangs a bandolier—a strap
with hanging containers, each holding a measured amount of
powder. Note the "match" in his left hand, which would be
clasped by the serpentine—the "snake head"- shaped arm on
the lock plate. Check out the buttons on his sleeves, the sword, the
trigger guard, and the butt plate on the stock of the musket.
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The men are shown from different views revealing objects from
different angles. The de Gheyn engravings are especially useful for help
in the identification of badly corroded metal artifacts recovered from early-17th-century sites in Virginia.
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If you
have questions or information about comparable artifacts from Virginia
collections please contact
Melba Myers, Conservator, Phone: (804) 367-2323 ext. 130; Fax: (804) 367-2972.
Pikeman
Image Map
DHR
Collections
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