Dressed to kill: Henry VIII's life in armour

The poster for the exhibition outside the Tower of London Photograph: Rex Features

Henry VIII's body and horse armour Photograph: Rex Features

A horned helmet made by master armourer Konrad Seusenhofer, presented to Henry VIII by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I sometime between 1511-15 Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA

The Wilton armour, made in about 1544, and possibly the last armour of Henry VIII Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi/Christian Sinibaldi

Henry VIII wore this tonlet armour for a friendly tournament with King Francis I of France at the Field of the Cloth of Gold in 1520. It was constructed in three months after the rules of the contest were changed, requiring a new outfit Photograph: Gary Ombler/Royal Armouries

Front view of the 1540 Greenwich armour garniture of Henry VIII, decorated with designs by the artist Hans Holbein the Younger. Some think the considerable size of the groin defence, commonly known as the cod piece, was a propaganda device to promote Henry's virility, despite his difficulties in fathering a son and heir Photograph: Gary Ombler/Royal Armouries

The 1540 Greenwich armour garniture installed at the exhibition Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi

Detail of the 1540 Greenwich armour garniture Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA

Flemish engraved and embossed 'Burgundian Bard', or horse, armour, presented to a youthful Henry VIII by Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I sometime between 1511-15 Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA

Tonlet armour of Henry VIII for foot combat Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi/Christian Sinibaldi

Possibly the oldest football in the world, discovered in the 1980s in the roof above Mary Queen of Scots' bedroom at Stirling castle. It is thought Mary - a keen football fan and possible player - may have put it there to ward away demons Photograph: Rex Features

Some of Henry's many helmets Photograph: Christian Sinibaldi