A Knight and His Weapons

by Ewart Oakeshott

Take an engaging journey back in time, when battles were fought with swords, lances, maces, and an array of well-crafted devices that could be elegant and ornate, brutal and efficient, or both. This accessible, lively, and informative book explores many facets of the medieval world of weaponry. Did you know, for instance, that in the fifteenth century "fight books" with drawings guided knights in the proper use of weapons? That the average medieval warrior became a full-fledged fighter by the time he was fifteen years old? Or that armor made by a master could, by modern standards, cost the price of a Rolls Royce?

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Medieval History, War, Martial Arts

124 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1964

Reviews

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Saw this pass through the library. Playing rpgs has imbued me with an interest in arms and armor, and I recognized the name Oakeshott from a typology of swords (rather, I know of the typology, but don't really know the details). Decided to read it. It is a decent book, readable and fairly informative. If I hadn't already absorbed so much information on the topic from other sources, there would probably have been more novelty for me in this. It could have been a bit better edited; there are several areas where the author seems to repeat the same information in short order, slightly reworded. It also feels like a fair chunk of the changes in weapons over time that are catalogued here, especially in regards to swords, were matters of fashion more so than function. I am also curious about his sources; he has a bibliography, but I don't really have the luxury of tracking down his sources. Based on the content, though, it feels like a fair part of it is based on art and the depictions of weapons. I wonder how reliable it is to look at paintings of a period; did the artists keep up to date, or did they go with standard imagery, copying other works of art more than actual objects?

Anyway, I wonder if I should read some of the other works by this author. One on armor in particular seems a bit interesting.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent little primer and must have for anyone interested in the history of knighthood, medieval history, and historical warfare.

[Les Mangis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was pretty informative but the diagrams/pictures not very detailed if interested in antique weapons.

[Christopher Shirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ewart Oakeshott crafts a book that's both informative and easy to read.

[Mathieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear, succinct overview of the weapons of a knight, just like it says on the tin.

[M. Lorrox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The drawings were quite helpful, and the history impressive. I hoped for some more odd weapons to be included, but I suppose the weapons back then were a bit more standard than I imagine and hope.