Treasures of the Royal Courts

March sees the V&A celebrate 500 years of diplomacy and trade between Britain and Russia with an exhibition revealing the majesty of the courts of Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Ivan the Terrible and the early Romanovs.

The exhibition will showcase more than 150 objects – including processional armour, sumptuous textiles, jewellery, paintings, furnishings and fine clothing – all with the aim of chronicling the close relationship between the English monarchy and Russia's tsars.

One part of the exhibition is dedicated to Henry VIII's consolidation of the Tudor dynasty following his accession to the throne in 1509 and the establishment of the English court style. As such, it includes a 1539 suit of armour that was tailor-made for King Henry, and a rarely shown painting of Elizabeth I.

Treasures of the Royal Courts: Tudors, Stuarts and the Russian Tsars is on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, from 9 March–14 July 2013. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the museum's website