The sale included a 16th century burgonet (helmet with cheek-pieces), the highest priced item, which went to a private collector for $3,200, and a 1560 wheel-lock Italian arquebus .
It has lived through the threat of the Armada, when 15 stalwart citizens went off to war bearing pike, arquebus and sword.
But just as the official murderer discharged his arquebus at Coligny, the Protestant leader bent to adjust a shoe.