Arms and Armor of the Medieval Knight: An Illustrated History of Weaponry in the Middle Ages

Crescent Books [Published date: 1988]. Hard cover, 189 pp plus index.170 black and white and 150 color illustrations. [from front jacket flap] The knight in armor jousting for his lady's favor is one of the best known figures in literature and romance. Arms & Armor of the Medieval Knight is a brilliant, highly illustrated survey of the real story of knights and their weapons and the often far from chivalrous wars and battle they fought. For generations the devastating charging power of mounted knights dominated the military affairs of Europe but throughout the medieval period weapons and armor were evolving constantly, and a variety of styles developed. This story is traced from the early days of chain mail and crude helmets to the vastly expensive and beautifully elaborate suits of full plate armor of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Arms & Armor of the Medieval Knight follows all these themes and also looks at the history of knights in action, in war and in the hazardous melees which tournaments often were in life if not in literature. A comprehensive glossary of terms is provided, and an appendix gives details of the construction of armor. The development of arms and armor is stunningly illustrated, with many previously unpublished photographs and specially commisstoned artwork included. This book will be a delightful addition to any bookshelf.