A stunningly well-preserved 600-year-old glove is found in Switzerland
A medieval knight returns to a Swiss castle after a victorious battle. With a hearty cry, he throws his precious gloves aside at the forge. As he rushes to a feast, they sit out of sight in a dark corner. Not long after, a fire breaks out, the store is destroyed and the gloves are lost for more than 600 years.
Okay, so maybe it didn't happen that way. But maybe it was. When an astonishingly well-preserved suit of armor from so long ago is rediscovered, it's hard not to speculate a little romantically about its origins.
Demolition work nearby Kyburg Castle, northeast of Zurich, threatened a site known to be the site of a medieval city. Therefore, a rescue excavation was carried out in the winter of 2021 and early 2022. “We knew that all archaeological remains in the ground would be destroyed during this construction work,” says Lorena Burkhardt, the excavation leader.
Excavators have uncovered a weaving cellar that burned down in the 14th century. Much of what was found was prosaic: a hammer, pliers, tweezers, keys. But it was enough to indicate that blacksmith work was also carried out in the area.
And then there was the big discovery. An almost complete right-handed iron glove from the 14th century, as well as some pieces from a left-handed one. Nearly every other glove found over the years dates from a later period, according to Cantonal Archaeology of Zurich, the group of experts employed by the local government. announced the discovery this month. And while a few from the 14th century have turned up in Switzerland, “none of these pieces is anywhere near as well preserved and exhibits as much detail of design and decoration as the Kyburg glove,” the group said.
The glove would probably have been worn by a medieval soldier or knight, but until now it is unclear who wore it and for what purpose.
“We know of tombstones of knights from the 14th century who wore similar gloves,” Ms. Burkhardt said. “Ultimately, however, we cannot say whether the gloves were actually made for a knight or for someone else who had to equip themselves for war.”
But there are clues that point to the high status of the wearer. “What is certain is that the gloves were made to a high standard and the purchase of such armor was correspondingly expensive,” Ms Burkhardt said. “It is therefore likely that the gloves were intended for a noble or other high-ranking person.”
The glove's fingers fold in four places to allow movement; individual iron plates are layered on top of each other and connected with rivets. The material in the glove would have been leather or textile.
“It is also remarkable how well preserved the piece is,” Ms. Burkhardt said. “With the exception of one fracture, all iron parts of the right hand have been completely preserved.”
“The fact that we found the glove plates along with these other items indicates that the armor was made in the forge,” Ms. Burkhardt said. “It may also be that it was in the workshop for repairs, although we have not yet discovered any visible damage or traces of repair.”
The glove will be exhibited in Kyburg Castle for three weeks in September. “We are only at the beginning of the investigation into the object,” Ms. Burkhardt said.
Even when such an extraordinary find is made, not every historical question is answered. Guesswork and sometimes legend are used to fill in the blanks.
That was the most famous Swiss knight of that period Heinrich von Winkelried. Although records show that a knight with that name existed, the story that he single-handedly killed a dragon with a spear is of course not true. And the recently found glove was definitely not his.
Right?