_The Norman Crusader_.
"The Norman Crusader," in the horse-armoury in the Tower of London, or a
part of it, came from Green's Museum. He obtained the hauberk from Tong
Castle. At the dispersion of the Museum, the hauberk was purchased by
Bullock, of Liverpool (afterwards of the Egyptian Hall), in whose
catalogue for 1808 it appears as a _standing_ figure, holding a brown
bill in the right hand, and resting the left upon a heater shield.
Bullock at this time added the chauses.--In 1810, the "London Museum"
was opened at the "Egyptian Temple" (Hall), the figure as before; but,
in the catalogue for 1813, we have the man _and horse_ standing in front
of the gallery, and named "The Norman Crusader."
At the "decline and fall" of Bullock's Museum, Mr. Gwennap purchased the
Crusader for, it is said, 200 guineas; and after being put in thorough
repair, it was placed in the "Aplotheca," Brook Street, Mr. Gwennap,
jun. adding the sword.
During its repair, it was discovered that the armour was not originally
made for a horse, but for an elephant; and, on inquiry, it appeared that
Bullock had purchased it, together with other curiosities, of a sailor,
had taken it to pieces, and formed the armour for the horse.
At the sale of Gwennap's collection, "The Norman Crusader" was knocked
down by Geo. Robins to a Mr. Bentley, for 30_l_., and he being unable to
_polish_ it, as he had intended, sold it to the authorities at the Tower
for one hundred guineas, where it is exhibited as "The Norman Crusader."