George, Duke of Saxony
The Ducal Armoury ("Herzogliche Harnischkammer") is the direct predecessor of today’s "Rüstkammer". It was founded after Albert III, Duke of Saxony, ("Albert the Bold") established Meissen as the centre of Albertine Saxony and named himself Margrave of Meissen in 1485. A continuous growth in the collection of parade weapons occurred during the reign of his son, George, Duke of Saxony ("George the Bearded"), who named Dresden the capital of his realm. After George's grandson, Duke Maurice, gained the title of Saxon prince elector in 1547, the Ducal Armory was renamed Electoral Armory ("Kurfürstliche Rüstkammer") and thus gained electoral status. It was located on the ground floor of the "Hausmannsturm", the tower of Dresden Castle.