We will conclude our descriptions of German pageant shields by giving an illustration of a rondache of gilded copper, which we should imagine formed part of the original "Spanish" armoury of the Tower of London (Fig. 1316). It is now cleaned so as to look like a warming-pan cover. Its very ugliness makes it an amusing curiosity. It is, however, of the crudest workmanship. The labours of Hercules are embossed upon it with an almost savage simplicity. It bears the inscription: ADVLTERIO DEIANIRA CONSPVRGANS OCCIDITVR CACVS AB HERCVL · OPPRIMATVR, and the date 1579. The date has at some subsequent period been altered to 1379, with the result that in former times this poor example of late XVIth century German metal-work was shown to the public with the following amusing and characteristic early XIXth century label:
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Fig. 1316. Shield
"The Spanish General's Shield." English or Dutch workmanship, 1579. Tower of London, Class V, No. 53
"The Spanish General's Shield, not worn by, but carried before him as an Ensign of Honour. Upon it are depicted in very curious workmanship, some of the Labours of Hercules, and other expressive allegories, which seem to throw a shade upon the boasted skill of modern artists. This was made near a hundred years before the art of Printing was known in England."
