IN LEEDS - War elephants, horned helmet and Turkic cavalry.

What is this curious helmet? You'll need to read below to discover ;-)

                                  

My mission in York being complete, I had one more day to spend in England, and i spent it in Leeds, the place where my flight was going back to Malaga in Spain. And it's nothing to say that Leeds is the complete antithesis of York. Where York is a postcard of medieval England, Leeds is a bustling city of students, firms and modern shops, whose architecture is more representative of the XIXth century, when the Industrial Revolution transformed the north of England into an economic powerhouse. Just take a look at the massive townhall they built themselves!

And the city center is criss crossed by trade galleries which are a perfect fit for modern shops.

However, Leeds has also just as much river activity as York and can boast some beautifully refurbished docks, where you'll find boats and ducks and everything. 

And it's especially on these docks that you'll find the Armoury Museum, a huge museum dedicated to weapons and war along the centuries - with FREE entrance!

The main landmark of the building is actually the Hall of Steel, an hexagonal tower on the walls of which are displayed hundreds and hundreds of weapon equipment stored, forgotten or seized by the United Kingdom along its history. 

Bayonets, helmets, breastplates, musquets, rifles, daggers... You name it, they have it, in mint condition and looking like they could be used next morning!

The museum displays so much about war and weapons that I can show you only my favourite pieces, especially the recreation of some riders (Turkic, Japanese, and a full size war elephant with the only Indian elephant armour which has survived!).

                           

                           

                          

Last but not least, the Horned Helmet is probably the crown jewel of all the building. It has been chosen to represent the museum on its logo! And it's understandable why: once you have seen it, difficult to forget about it! 

                    

                    

                    

This kind of helmet was - obviously - more about showing off than ready for war. Still - what a master piece!