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The Sword and the Centuries
Being a description of the various swords used in civilized Europe during the last five centuries, and of single combats which have been fought with them. With introductory remarks by Captain Cyril G.R. Matthey
- GenresMartial ArtsHistoryWar
371 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1981
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 25, 2023
Like someone approaching a heavily armoured opponent with an epee, this book needs to be read in small thrusts to be properly appreciated. Or so it seems to me now, having read it.
I came across this book at the front counter of the best local used bookstore in town. Beside it were signed copies of things like Stephen King novels, a few rare books on this or that theory from the humanities, and some handsome collections of Shakespeare and other highly regarded poets. The artwork on the front cover caught my eye, and the title caught my interest immediately. Heeding Agent Cooper’s advice to give yourself a little present every day, without planning or expectation, I went for it. And then, as is my way, I held off on reading it for at least a year, maybe two. Why do I do things this way? Because I find myself deeply dedicated to reading the books that I’ve bought and clustered around me as if I were the centre of a very literary and history-centred katamari (with a few genre novels thrown in for spice). Because I see myself as having a very long tail that I am forever chasing. And because, well, if a book looks interesting or important enough to its field, then I am sure to read it eventually. And so I do. And so I did.
This book was like a middling fencing match eventually won. I hit my imagined opponent for some points (gotta love some historical sword talk, learning about pop culture of the past is fascinating (and I think it’s fair to say that the action and intrigue of most swordsmanship schools throughout Europe’s post-Renaissance history is on par with modern day martial arts movies)). That opponent struck me for a few (the writing gets dull after about a hundred pages, despite the author’s assertions that his focus is on the swords themselves, much more is said about various duels and surrounding lore, and each chapter follows such a similar formula that the book is a better reference work than something to read straight through). But, eventually, I did finish this one. And my sense of the evolution of the sword and sword play in Europe has definitely grown as a result.
But the book. The book.
Y’know, on balance, it’s a neat read that tells a side of history you’re not going to get much of in books that take a larger look at things. All in all, three stars. 3.5 maybe. Enjoyable to read through with some bright spots of particularly interesting lore (that opponents in matches to solve disputes would be given pieces of sugar to suck on to keep them from getting thirsty mid-match, or how Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George was awesome). Definitely something for the sword-person in your life, but be sure to tell them to approach it point by point rather than try to run it through.
I came across this book at the front counter of the best local used bookstore in town. Beside it were signed copies of things like Stephen King novels, a few rare books on this or that theory from the humanities, and some handsome collections of Shakespeare and other highly regarded poets. The artwork on the front cover caught my eye, and the title caught my interest immediately. Heeding Agent Cooper’s advice to give yourself a little present every day, without planning or expectation, I went for it. And then, as is my way, I held off on reading it for at least a year, maybe two. Why do I do things this way? Because I find myself deeply dedicated to reading the books that I’ve bought and clustered around me as if I were the centre of a very literary and history-centred katamari (with a few genre novels thrown in for spice). Because I see myself as having a very long tail that I am forever chasing. And because, well, if a book looks interesting or important enough to its field, then I am sure to read it eventually. And so I do. And so I did.
This book was like a middling fencing match eventually won. I hit my imagined opponent for some points (gotta love some historical sword talk, learning about pop culture of the past is fascinating (and I think it’s fair to say that the action and intrigue of most swordsmanship schools throughout Europe’s post-Renaissance history is on par with modern day martial arts movies)). That opponent struck me for a few (the writing gets dull after about a hundred pages, despite the author’s assertions that his focus is on the swords themselves, much more is said about various duels and surrounding lore, and each chapter follows such a similar formula that the book is a better reference work than something to read straight through). But, eventually, I did finish this one. And my sense of the evolution of the sword and sword play in Europe has definitely grown as a result.
But the book. The book.
Y’know, on balance, it’s a neat read that tells a side of history you’re not going to get much of in books that take a larger look at things. All in all, three stars. 3.5 maybe. Enjoyable to read through with some bright spots of particularly interesting lore (that opponents in matches to solve disputes would be given pieces of sugar to suck on to keep them from getting thirsty mid-match, or how Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-George was awesome). Definitely something for the sword-person in your life, but be sure to tell them to approach it point by point rather than try to run it through.
May 24, 2019
Not a history of the evolution of the sword. It was duels.
August 26, 2017
If my memory serves me well, it is stated in preface, that the book isn't meant to be the history of duels, but when reading, it very fortunately reads pretty much like a one, with cultural history of swords and development of blades thrown in as well. This is not perhaps complete and unabridged history of sword duels, as that would be impossible, but the book is full of intriguing real life stories of people having to or getting to fight duels, told in a matter of fact style, letting reader imagine the feelings of the persons involved. As the most interesting stories are, as everyone knows, either about swordfight or mating or both, this is a page turner.
As a non-english reader I found the tournament rules etc written in older tongue tedious and hard, and had to skip some, but that is not a base reason for giving only 4 stars.
Very much recommend to anyone interested in swords, and also to HEMA -practioners, as it is good to know about the cultural history of swordfight and not only the manuals of actual swordfight (which Hutton has done also, as a forerunner of HEMA). I also would recommend this to authors of historical or fantasy fiction, because as an insight to what kind of shit happens when people duel to death, this work is inspiring and makes your fight scenes feel less plastic.
As a non-english reader I found the tournament rules etc written in older tongue tedious and hard, and had to skip some, but that is not a base reason for giving only 4 stars.
Very much recommend to anyone interested in swords, and also to HEMA -practioners, as it is good to know about the cultural history of swordfight and not only the manuals of actual swordfight (which Hutton has done also, as a forerunner of HEMA). I also would recommend this to authors of historical or fantasy fiction, because as an insight to what kind of shit happens when people duel to death, this work is inspiring and makes your fight scenes feel less plastic.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews