Thomas Del Mar - Armour Sale

226 227Bohemia and Hungary into the hereditary possession of theHabsburgs. In 1538 Ferdinand succeeded to the crown ofHungary from Prince John Zápolya by the treaty ofNagyvárad/Grosswardein. In 1556 Charles V resigned theempire to him though Pope Paul IV refused to acknowledgeFerdinand. On March 14th 1558 Ferdinand assumed the titleHoly Roman Emperor without being crowned by the Pope.Another halberd from this group was sold Sotheby’sHanover, 5th October 2005, lot 259, £5185.£2500-3000226A RARE HALBERD, FIRST HALF OF THE 16TH CENTURY,GERMAN OR SWISSwith tapering spike of diamond section formed with arecessed rectangular panel at the base, crescentic axebladecut with cusped rear edges, down-curved rear spike,a pair of straps, and the head retaining traces of pointiléedecoration, on a later wooden haft50.5cm; 19P in headA pol-axe of very similar form is preserved in the WallaceCollection, no. A928.£1000-1400227A GERMAN HALBERD, LATE 16TH CENTURYwith central spike of diamond section, forward leaningslightly curved axe-blade pierced with a slipped trefoil andcut with cusps on the rear edges, rear spike stamped with amark on one side and pierced and cusped en suite, and apair of long straps, on a later wooden haft49.5cm; 19I in head£600-80089