103-198_25
17/9/05
1:14 pm
Page 105
was one of the territories of the Holy Roman Empire and its ruler was one of seven similar heads of German states whose positions entitled them to elect the emperor. In addition to this position, the elector of Saxony, along with that of the Palatinate, was charged with the sovereignty of the Empire between the death of one emperor and the election of the next; he was also the Imperial Grand Marshal, or ArchMarshal, which is why successive electors of Saxony bore the Arms of the Arch-Marshal upon all their appointments, including our magnificent halberd. The stability of the Empire was threatened by the Protestant Reformation early in the 16th century and by Catholic reaction to it in the form of the Counter-Reformation. Those were turbulent times and heads of state needed bodyguards not only to protect them from assassination but also to bolster their power and prestige by the magnificence of their arms and accoutrements. Elector August was widely respected within the Empire and outside it for his commitment to peaceful compromise and for his pragmatic attitude to government and religious freedoms. Under his rule, Saxony became known for financial stability, reforms of its judiciary and bureaucracy and support for science and technology, especially in the realm of mining. Although not known for his financial profligacy, it is clear that Elector August of Saxony wished to maintain the tradition of an impressively equipped bodyguard and our magnificent parade halberd is evidence of this. Literature:
Blair, C., European and American Arms, (London, 1962), pp. 25-26. Di Carpegna, N., Le Armi Odescalchi, (Rome, 1976), p.67, item and plate 403. Haenel, E., Kostbare Waffen aus der Dresdener Rüstkammer, (Leipzig, 1923), pl. 69c. Müller, H., and Kölling, H., Europäische Hieb- und Stichwaffen, (Berlin, 1981), pp.255, 393, item 253. Nickel, H., ‘Unter den Gekreuzten Schwerten: Bemerkungen zu den Blankwaffen der Kursächsischen Schweizergarde zu Dresden, 1656-1874’ in K Stüber, H Wetter (eds), Blankwaffen, (Zurich 1982), pp. 169-190. Syndram, D. and Scherner, A. (eds.), Princely Splendor: the Dresden Court 1580-1620, (Dresden, 2004), pp. 22-28, 100-101.