To curry favor with Pope Leo X, head of the powerful Medici family, Maximilian designed and gifted this fierce armor to the Pope's rather bookish brother. Metal plates cover every part of the body; even ventilation slits in the helmet close against an opponent's sword. No surprise, it's likely the armor was never used.

Maximilian knew the allure of luxury branding even back in those days. So he personalized this armor for the Pope's brother. The Medici family mottos, SEMPER and SUAVE, and their crest, a ring with three feathers are hidden in the breast plate.

Rumor had it that the Pope’s brother wasn’t a man of the sword. So Maximilian intentionally designed this armor as both a luxury garment and a strong suit. These slanted designs were a popular style in contemporary male dress, and conveyed wealth and taste.

Maximilian gifted this ceremonial armor to his 14-year-old grandson Charles V, who he hoped would one day become king. Though impractical for the battlefield, the short sleeves of the armor were impeccably designed to look and move like a lobster tail. Incidentally, Charles did go on to become King of Spain at the age of 16.

A master of self-promotion, Maximilian employed a goldsmith to highlight his grandson's unique position as one of the youngest members of the prestigious Order of the Golden Fleece. The Order's emblem of a sheepskin can be found on the pleats of the skirt.

The notched holes below the knee were incorporated into the design, functioning as a belt that ensured the leg defenses would fit Charles's rapidly growing body. Alas, the suit took years to create and it is not certain he was ever able to wear it.

Could this be the greatest regift of all time? Maximilian presented this incredibly ornate horse armor to Henry VIII of England. But the emblem of crossed logs reveals the original owner may have been Maximilian's very own family. One of Maximilian's favorite symbols, the crossed logs can be found on many of his possessions.

Maximilian gifted this armor to Henry VIII, but the image of pomegranates hints the young King of England may not have been the original owner. Sure, they may symbolize the kingdom of Granada (Spanish for "pomegranate")—a land conquered by Henry VIII's first wife's family—but they are also Maximilian's personal emblem. Coincidence?

Horse armor at this time was traditionally made of leather or steel. This armor, however, was originally finished in silver and gold, and embossed with remarkably bold relief decoration. And in a rather bold move of his own, Henry VIII poached the craftsman who created this armor from Maximilian.