Armour & Weapons: A Concise Illustrated History from the 11th to the 17th Centuries

by Charles ffoulkes

An illustrated guide This concise 'handbook' provides an overview, supported by numerous illustrations and diagrams, of the development of arms and armour in Europe. The work is conveniently divided into sections, notably 'The Age of Mail (1066-1277), ' 'The Transition Period (1277-1410)' and 'Plate Armour (1410-1600).' Focus is also given to the wearing of armour, its construction details, armour created for war-horses and the period of history during which armour reached its most decadent in appearance. This useful book concludes with an examination of the weapons employed to accompany the defensive armour worn in each period. It will be particularly useful to modellers, re-enactors and those creating theatrical performances and anyone interested in warfare in the medieval period and the history of costume.
Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Charles John ffoulkes (1868–1947) was a British historian, and curator of the Royal Armouries at London.

Reviews

[Lami Daja]

For those writing historical fiction or heroic fiction needing armour and swords in the European mode, this is all you need for your basis.

For anyone this is an excellent introduction to the study of European armour and weapons. It was originally purposed as, not a specialist's text covering Everything (which nothing ever does), but a home reference of moderate price that would be accurate as well as readable Many full-colour books sold in the stores today are full of garbage arms myths, including "Where did they get that?" names for things that will only foul you up when you get deeper in. So even if you think you know a lot, if you haven't read this--read it. It may reveal holes in your knowledge by filling them, and spotlight some of the stuff in your mind that's drawing flies.

Don't worry about the age. Charles ffoulkes is one of the all-time greats on the subject. Look at his other books. He did the inventory of the armoury of the Tower of London. He wrote a perfectly readable book on the armourers of Europe and their methods of craft and reasons for their engineering choices. You really can't talk about armour until you have read his *The Armourer and His Craft* (available here at the Archive).

Much of what he published on armour and its construction and how to wear it has been missed by many so-called experts of today on the subject: I have no idea why, but some people just can't be bothered to imagine that a book that is "old" might still be valuable. Frankly, I think many of them, having read their dozen glossy books, don't want any ideas that will muss up their settled opinions.

For most people, this will be all the reference they ever need. If armour and weapons is not your sole or primary interest, if you are interested in other aspects of the Middle Ages, even if it is milhist, this gives you all you really need on identifying equipment. One does not have to get into breaking down hilt design types, especially when they seem to signify nothing except, perhaps, area of origin or personal taste.

[มนตรี ใจจันทร์]

This is a very good books that have information of medieval Armor and weapons.