'My Favourite Things' on display at Gunnersbury Park Museum
A new exhibition 'My Favourite Things' opened this month at Gunnersbury Park Museum. It features the most asked for collections by visitors, including a display of famous 17th century Hounslow swords.
A sword mill, famous for manufacturing various types of sword blades was established in Hounslow around the time of the English Civil Wars (1630-40). The origins of the swords on display can be traced to this mill as they are all marked 'Hunsloe' or with the Latin inscription 'Me fecit Hunsloe', 'Made in Hounslow'.
Four fine examples are currently on show at Gunnersbury Park Museum, including a 'back' sword, two 'hanger' swords and a 'mortuary sword', which were probably used in battle.
The 'hanger' swords were so named because they were short and could be hung from a huntsman's belt, rather than in a scabbard. English huntsmen used short 'hanger' swords to catch deer and hares, while in northern Europe huntsmen needed much longer swords for hunting fierce animals such as wolves and bears.
The 'mortuary' sword is decorated on the hilt with faces that were believed to be those of King Charles I and his queen, Henrietta Maria. It was said that these portraits commemorated the King's execution in 1649 and took their name from the Latin 'mortuus' meaning 'dead'. Many swords of this design were made before 1649 but the name has remained popular.
Gunnersbury Park Museum houses another seven swords in its reserve collections, which it is happy to show by special appointment. All the swords were kindly bought for the museum between 1970-1990 by Hounslow librarian and sword collector, John Tofts White.
Vanda Foster, CIP's Deputy Curator at the museum, said: "Hounslow's sword mill was so famous in its time, it attracted blade makers from Europe. The mill was situated by the confluence of the Duke of Northumberland's river and the River Crane, now northwest of Baber Bridge in East Bedfont. The swords on display are particular favourites with local residents. Over the years, families return to see these treasures, bringing their children and grandchildren."
Other exquisite items at the exhibition include a 19th century pedlar doll, patch work quilt and Victorian dolls' house.
The museum is open everyday from 11.00am to 4.00pm and is situated in Gunnersbury Park, Popes Lane, W3 8LQ.
November 9, 2006
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