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The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry
A history of arms and armour in Europe from pre-history to the 15th century.
In The Archaeology of Weapons, Ewart Oakeshott traces the development of European arms in logical sequence, showing how changes were wrought by the use of new materials and the ever-shifting demands of war and fashion. This history begins nearly two hundred years before the Christian era, covering among other subjects the charioteers of the Near East, the Roman attitude to arms and the Bronze Age weapons of Europe. The core of the book, however, is the middle a general survey of the institution of chivalry, an understanding of which is vital to the appreciation of all the arms of the high middle ages, is followed by a classification covering all sword types from about 1050to 1500. Oakeshott draws on a variety of sources, from the archaeological evidence provided by existing weapons to the clues to be found in literature as diverse as the Old Testament, the works of Homer, Norse sagas and medieval romances. The symbolic importance of the sword is treated as an essential part of this lucid study and adds much to its archaeological interest.
The late EWART OAKESHOTT was one of the world's leading authorities on the arms and armour of medieval Europe. His other works on the subject include Records of the Medieval Sword and The Sword in the Age of Chivalry.
In The Archaeology of Weapons, Ewart Oakeshott traces the development of European arms in logical sequence, showing how changes were wrought by the use of new materials and the ever-shifting demands of war and fashion. This history begins nearly two hundred years before the Christian era, covering among other subjects the charioteers of the Near East, the Roman attitude to arms and the Bronze Age weapons of Europe. The core of the book, however, is the middle a general survey of the institution of chivalry, an understanding of which is vital to the appreciation of all the arms of the high middle ages, is followed by a classification covering all sword types from about 1050to 1500. Oakeshott draws on a variety of sources, from the archaeological evidence provided by existing weapons to the clues to be found in literature as diverse as the Old Testament, the works of Homer, Norse sagas and medieval romances. The symbolic importance of the sword is treated as an essential part of this lucid study and adds much to its archaeological interest.
The late EWART OAKESHOTT was one of the world's leading authorities on the arms and armour of medieval Europe. His other works on the subject include Records of the Medieval Sword and The Sword in the Age of Chivalry.
416 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 9, 2015
First thing to understand is that this focuses on northern European examples, and those from the bronze age to roughly the 14th century. Do not expect non-European, or even southern European, content.
It provides lots of detailed descriptions of bladed weapons from the stated time period; so if you're looking for that sort of thing, it's right up your alley. More interesting to me, between the descriptions, was Oakeshott's take on the history surrounding the weapons, the cultural history; particularly his understanding and explanations of the relationship between the weapons and the men who carried them, why they carried them, how they identified with them, how they served as personal, social, and cultural tools and icons, and how these weapons effected cultural history long after they'd been laid down. His sections on swords is robust, though somewhat lacking considering axes, daggers and blunt weapons.
Oakeshott's style is a little stodgy compared to popular norms; but we continuing students of history have experienced far, far worse. I'd suggest it for anyone with an already informed understanding of the period and is looking for some sharp (excuse the pun) detail into this facts of the time and culture involved. For those just delving into an interest in the evolution of weapons, I'd suggest one of the many survey books available before diving into this one.
It provides lots of detailed descriptions of bladed weapons from the stated time period; so if you're looking for that sort of thing, it's right up your alley. More interesting to me, between the descriptions, was Oakeshott's take on the history surrounding the weapons, the cultural history; particularly his understanding and explanations of the relationship between the weapons and the men who carried them, why they carried them, how they identified with them, how they served as personal, social, and cultural tools and icons, and how these weapons effected cultural history long after they'd been laid down. His sections on swords is robust, though somewhat lacking considering axes, daggers and blunt weapons.
Oakeshott's style is a little stodgy compared to popular norms; but we continuing students of history have experienced far, far worse. I'd suggest it for anyone with an already informed understanding of the period and is looking for some sharp (excuse the pun) detail into this facts of the time and culture involved. For those just delving into an interest in the evolution of weapons, I'd suggest one of the many survey books available before diving into this one.
March 22, 2025
Captivating and incredibly well written, Oakeshott’s personality shines through in a very charming way, and his love of swords is as evident as his expertise on them. A great read for those interested in the history of weaponry. The illustrations are incredible and Oakeshott provides countless examples of swords in museum collections that can be referenced.
November 24, 2023
This book is an exemplar work displaying the logical and sequential development of weapons through the ages. The scope is extensive, from the dawn of humanity down to the 15th centuries, where the industrialization of warfare does not add anything new in terms of scholarly inputs, other than its devastating statistical ability to inflict casualty.
Warfare, at its most fundamental level, is an action of offense to another person. We do not inflict offense to our kin, most of the time. Offense is inflicted to alien people, as shown by the anxiety of the isolated Papuans or the Andaman Islanders towards newcomers. Thus, offense requires a kind of psychological distance from the perpetuators and the victims. Indeed, the modern inflictor of offence, the serial killers, have biological failure to apprehend any kind of bond towards its victims.
The first weapons are most likely to evolve directly out from stone chips used by knives by the early humans. The early humans are egalitarian; they believe in no status distinction. Thus, the first weapon, must be in a form that severely symbolizes psychological distance out from their idyllic Edenic worldview. The weapon must have length to it, emphasizing the psychological distance. Thus, the first weapons in the Bronze Age, directly evolved from the knives, are long and pointed rapiers. The reason why the first weapons are so slender, because the act of offense are highly personalized conflicts. Only when the scope of offense enlarged to warfare, there’s a need for a weapon that not only can be used in thrusting, but also slashing. This is as when the number of personnel involved in a conflict increases, there will be much tighter space to fight, and it is much more economical to slash rather than thrust. Thus, there is a logical and sequential development of the weapons from slender rapiers to the Grecian kopis and Roman gladius.
Concurrently, as the size of conlicts enlarged, there’s a need to end the conflict in decisive steps; thus the need for shock units. These shock units would be consequential for the rest of the history of warfare; the triumphant are the ones who able to elevate their warfare ability one level above. In the dawn of history, it was the domestification of horses that supply such devastating impact in the battlefield. The Indo-Aryans became the masters of much of the known world, only isolated pockets of Mesopotamia and Egypt able to withstand their spread. The Egyptian Old Kingdom was quickly overran by the chariots of the Hyksos, and able to turn the table around when they themselves adopted the chariot, and subsequently able to extend themselves even into the Mesopotamia.
The second consequential invention of the history of warfare would be the heavy cavalry, where its shock value was first appreciated in the Battle of Adrianople, in which its sole effect would be the effective dismantling of the Eastern Roman Empire. The heavy cavalry, in time, would emerge as the knights in the Chivalric Era of Europe. And this too, in time would be clouded by another weapon who effectively increased the psychological distance with its victims; the bow. In the battles of Crecy and Agincourt, the long-bowmen routed ranks of the flowers of French chivalry. The old code of chivalry which emphasizes courtly manners, empathy and justice are no more. There is only the arrows, delivering only killing intentions.
On the side note, while the scale of warfare has indeed becoming out of control by the time of War of Religions, feuds among the gentleman are starting to be settled by a battle of rapiers, a nod to the very beginning; that once upon a time, conflicts are indeed a personal matter.
Warfare, at its most fundamental level, is an action of offense to another person. We do not inflict offense to our kin, most of the time. Offense is inflicted to alien people, as shown by the anxiety of the isolated Papuans or the Andaman Islanders towards newcomers. Thus, offense requires a kind of psychological distance from the perpetuators and the victims. Indeed, the modern inflictor of offence, the serial killers, have biological failure to apprehend any kind of bond towards its victims.
The first weapons are most likely to evolve directly out from stone chips used by knives by the early humans. The early humans are egalitarian; they believe in no status distinction. Thus, the first weapon, must be in a form that severely symbolizes psychological distance out from their idyllic Edenic worldview. The weapon must have length to it, emphasizing the psychological distance. Thus, the first weapons in the Bronze Age, directly evolved from the knives, are long and pointed rapiers. The reason why the first weapons are so slender, because the act of offense are highly personalized conflicts. Only when the scope of offense enlarged to warfare, there’s a need for a weapon that not only can be used in thrusting, but also slashing. This is as when the number of personnel involved in a conflict increases, there will be much tighter space to fight, and it is much more economical to slash rather than thrust. Thus, there is a logical and sequential development of the weapons from slender rapiers to the Grecian kopis and Roman gladius.
Concurrently, as the size of conlicts enlarged, there’s a need to end the conflict in decisive steps; thus the need for shock units. These shock units would be consequential for the rest of the history of warfare; the triumphant are the ones who able to elevate their warfare ability one level above. In the dawn of history, it was the domestification of horses that supply such devastating impact in the battlefield. The Indo-Aryans became the masters of much of the known world, only isolated pockets of Mesopotamia and Egypt able to withstand their spread. The Egyptian Old Kingdom was quickly overran by the chariots of the Hyksos, and able to turn the table around when they themselves adopted the chariot, and subsequently able to extend themselves even into the Mesopotamia.
The second consequential invention of the history of warfare would be the heavy cavalry, where its shock value was first appreciated in the Battle of Adrianople, in which its sole effect would be the effective dismantling of the Eastern Roman Empire. The heavy cavalry, in time, would emerge as the knights in the Chivalric Era of Europe. And this too, in time would be clouded by another weapon who effectively increased the psychological distance with its victims; the bow. In the battles of Crecy and Agincourt, the long-bowmen routed ranks of the flowers of French chivalry. The old code of chivalry which emphasizes courtly manners, empathy and justice are no more. There is only the arrows, delivering only killing intentions.
On the side note, while the scale of warfare has indeed becoming out of control by the time of War of Religions, feuds among the gentleman are starting to be settled by a battle of rapiers, a nod to the very beginning; that once upon a time, conflicts are indeed a personal matter.
March 7, 2019
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
There seems to be many books out regarding weapons for the period of the Age of Chivalry to present and only a few vague books about weapons and armour from Prehistory to Age of Chivalry. I’m always looking for good resources for my writing and after reading the premise of this particular book, I thought I’d have a look at it.
On first flip through, I noticed right away the clear and detailed drawings, charts, maps and photos. Often you get books of this nature with black and white photos that are not clear or too dark to really see the details. This one had amazing photos.
The next thing I noticed on flip through was the amazing amount of information provided. Oakeshott appeared to have done his homework. There’s an Appendix that offers a timeline from 2000 BC to 1450, the Age of Chivalry. Many cultures are covered including but not limited to: The Vikings, Egyptians, Middle Minoan, Aryans, Romans, and more.
The bibliography offered is short in nature but offers a vast amount of resources that can be followed up with. Dover offers a catalog at the end of other books they have.
This book is divided in the following manner:
Part One. Offers a look into the Prehistoric period, divided into three sub-categories:
“The Pitiless Bronze
Iron Comes to Europe: The Hallstatt People
The Gauls
Part Two. Divides the Heroic Age into the four categories:
The Great Migrations
Rome in Decline: The Gothic Cavalry
The Bog-Deposits of Denmark
The Arms of the Migration Period
Part Three. Looks at the Vikings, dividing this section into the following three categories:
Swords In The Viking Period
The Vikings at War
From Charemagne to the Normans
I was particularly interested in this section. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Vikings, especially with what happened to them. There’s a wide range of legends that tell of abandoned villages found with no sign of life, bones or any indication where the inhabitants went. Research has discovered Inuit claims that they saw a large migration of Vikings “going North.” But nothing has ever been found to really prove these claims. What has been proven is that the villages found seem to show indications that the people suddenly up and left. Some suggested that food, or the lack of food was one reason for their sudden departure, others suggest in inudation of Christianity forced them to flee their homes… Vikings flee?
It is without a doubt that the Vikings were advanced in their knowledge of weaponry, their skills at smelding and metalurgy apparant in the swords and weapons found today. Lots of speculation surrounds why they were so skilled, but another mystery remains unsolved.
The Vikings were feared. The day three black ships sailed into Poole harbour and up to Wareham was the beginning of raids by heathen warriors. In their hands were swords of such austre perfection in line and proportion, something that was not easily duplicated.
Part Four. The Age of Chivalry was divided into the following sub-categories:
The “Gay Science” of Chivalry
Sword Types and Blade Inscriptions, 1100-1325
Sword Hilts and Fittings
The Sword in Wear
“The Complete Arming of a Man” 1100-1325
Armour and the Longbow in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
Swords and Daggers in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
There is obviously more information of weaponry as time elapses. The more recent time, the better the condition of finds. There are records, tales and legends written. Times prior to 1100 have little records, things are destroyed over time, legends are lost.
Following the Table of Contents, the author provides a List of Plates that identify the photos between pages 184-185 in more details.
My father was a weapons expert in WWII, and later a sniper. He loved Archery. Although he didn’t talk much about the weapons he used in WWII, he did love his bow. I now have it. I have discovered through research that on my mother’s side, we are related to Eric the Red. So this book holds a strong fascination for me.
I found the author did an excellent job with research. There are a few holes that I wished he’d filled but overall, I’m very happy with the way this book is laid out. I recommend you add this book to your library if you write fantasy or historical novels.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
There seems to be many books out regarding weapons for the period of the Age of Chivalry to present and only a few vague books about weapons and armour from Prehistory to Age of Chivalry. I’m always looking for good resources for my writing and after reading the premise of this particular book, I thought I’d have a look at it.
On first flip through, I noticed right away the clear and detailed drawings, charts, maps and photos. Often you get books of this nature with black and white photos that are not clear or too dark to really see the details. This one had amazing photos.
The next thing I noticed on flip through was the amazing amount of information provided. Oakeshott appeared to have done his homework. There’s an Appendix that offers a timeline from 2000 BC to 1450, the Age of Chivalry. Many cultures are covered including but not limited to: The Vikings, Egyptians, Middle Minoan, Aryans, Romans, and more.
The bibliography offered is short in nature but offers a vast amount of resources that can be followed up with. Dover offers a catalog at the end of other books they have.
This book is divided in the following manner:
Part One. Offers a look into the Prehistoric period, divided into three sub-categories:
“The Pitiless Bronze
Iron Comes to Europe: The Hallstatt People
The Gauls
Part Two. Divides the Heroic Age into the four categories:
The Great Migrations
Rome in Decline: The Gothic Cavalry
The Bog-Deposits of Denmark
The Arms of the Migration Period
Part Three. Looks at the Vikings, dividing this section into the following three categories:
Swords In The Viking Period
The Vikings at War
From Charemagne to the Normans
I was particularly interested in this section. There is a lot of mystery surrounding the Vikings, especially with what happened to them. There’s a wide range of legends that tell of abandoned villages found with no sign of life, bones or any indication where the inhabitants went. Research has discovered Inuit claims that they saw a large migration of Vikings “going North.” But nothing has ever been found to really prove these claims. What has been proven is that the villages found seem to show indications that the people suddenly up and left. Some suggested that food, or the lack of food was one reason for their sudden departure, others suggest in inudation of Christianity forced them to flee their homes… Vikings flee?
It is without a doubt that the Vikings were advanced in their knowledge of weaponry, their skills at smelding and metalurgy apparant in the swords and weapons found today. Lots of speculation surrounds why they were so skilled, but another mystery remains unsolved.
The Vikings were feared. The day three black ships sailed into Poole harbour and up to Wareham was the beginning of raids by heathen warriors. In their hands were swords of such austre perfection in line and proportion, something that was not easily duplicated.
Part Four. The Age of Chivalry was divided into the following sub-categories:
The “Gay Science” of Chivalry
Sword Types and Blade Inscriptions, 1100-1325
Sword Hilts and Fittings
The Sword in Wear
“The Complete Arming of a Man” 1100-1325
Armour and the Longbow in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
Swords and Daggers in the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Centuries
There is obviously more information of weaponry as time elapses. The more recent time, the better the condition of finds. There are records, tales and legends written. Times prior to 1100 have little records, things are destroyed over time, legends are lost.
Following the Table of Contents, the author provides a List of Plates that identify the photos between pages 184-185 in more details.
My father was a weapons expert in WWII, and later a sniper. He loved Archery. Although he didn’t talk much about the weapons he used in WWII, he did love his bow. I now have it. I have discovered through research that on my mother’s side, we are related to Eric the Red. So this book holds a strong fascination for me.
I found the author did an excellent job with research. There are a few holes that I wished he’d filled but overall, I’m very happy with the way this book is laid out. I recommend you add this book to your library if you write fantasy or historical novels.
February 8, 2023
If you've never heard of him, Oakeshott is THE authority on medieval European weaponry. The typology system used by museums and such was created by him. The beautiful thing about this book is, while it's adjacent to history and archaeology, it's almost entirely technical information about weapons, mostly swords. The finer points of design, what we can infer about their use from bits of disintegrated leather in burial sites, how they were manufactured and where, etc.
If you're after just about anything but minute details of very old swords, you'll probably find this pretty boring. If you're interested in making replicas or researching historically accurate portrayals, this book is absolutely priceless.
If you're after just about anything but minute details of very old swords, you'll probably find this pretty boring. If you're interested in making replicas or researching historically accurate portrayals, this book is absolutely priceless.
April 26, 2022
So far as I can tell, this is *the* authoritative text on ancient and medieval swords at the nuts-and-bolts level. Oakeshott created the eponymous typology system used to describe various blades. It's not a history text, and it's not analysis. This is strictly about the archaeology, design, and construction of swords, and how various elements like thumb-rings were used.
July 31, 2024
This is *THE* most important book on swords
November 18, 2011
The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry – the informative, personable survey of weapons by the late sword-expert, Ewart Oakeshott (1916-2002) – remains after forty years one of the best introductions to the history and forms of the European sword from pre-history to the late Middle Ages. It reveals the reasons for its various developments, which include both metallurgical technology and advances in armor and military technique. I wish that I could have given this book five stars – indeed, for its time it would have earned them easily – however, because some of the information is outdated, including the many passages regarding the contemporary collections in which the swords he mentions were present, the work is dated and certain information has become unnecessary. It is for this reason alone, one which was inevitable with time, that this work does not achieve present-day perfection status. Fortunately, this does not deplete the pleasurable learning experience that Oakeshott’s knowledge and style provide.
The sword, truly, is the main focus of this work, partly due to the fact that it played such a central role in ancient societies, but also because its form and function provide invaluable insight into the military habits of its users. In contrast, axes, bows, and spears changed less frequently in form and use, and therefore require less attention throughout the text. Nevertheless, Oakeshott does address these weapons within their appropriate eras and still provides adequate information on them to the reader.
Oakeshott’s most lasting contribution to the field of sword research, however, is his typology of medieval and Renaissance sword-types based upon the silhouette and blade morphology of the weapon. While not entirely groundbreaking (it is a continuation of Jan Petersen’s typology for Viking swords, which Oakeshott admits), this created an effective systematic organization which is still in use today, if only a bit modified. It fully recognized the sword as a deadly tool and not just an artistic curiosity, as it had so often previously been approached. Each of the thirteen types is explained thoroughly within the book, with examples (a more thorough examination can be found in his Records of the Medieval Sword).
Ewart Oakeshott was an amateur historian whose writing is devoid of the stuffiness and cryptic language of his more academically-trained peers. In fact, he was an accomplished artist, and his precise illustrations are found throughout the text to compliment and explain various concepts and to show visually the individual pieces he discusses. His enthusiasm is infectious and his wit delightful to read. Enough cannot be said about this book for those interested in the development of European weapons – it is invaluable and rightly cherished. His other works, additionally, are highly recommended.
The sword, truly, is the main focus of this work, partly due to the fact that it played such a central role in ancient societies, but also because its form and function provide invaluable insight into the military habits of its users. In contrast, axes, bows, and spears changed less frequently in form and use, and therefore require less attention throughout the text. Nevertheless, Oakeshott does address these weapons within their appropriate eras and still provides adequate information on them to the reader.
Oakeshott’s most lasting contribution to the field of sword research, however, is his typology of medieval and Renaissance sword-types based upon the silhouette and blade morphology of the weapon. While not entirely groundbreaking (it is a continuation of Jan Petersen’s typology for Viking swords, which Oakeshott admits), this created an effective systematic organization which is still in use today, if only a bit modified. It fully recognized the sword as a deadly tool and not just an artistic curiosity, as it had so often previously been approached. Each of the thirteen types is explained thoroughly within the book, with examples (a more thorough examination can be found in his Records of the Medieval Sword).
Ewart Oakeshott was an amateur historian whose writing is devoid of the stuffiness and cryptic language of his more academically-trained peers. In fact, he was an accomplished artist, and his precise illustrations are found throughout the text to compliment and explain various concepts and to show visually the individual pieces he discusses. His enthusiasm is infectious and his wit delightful to read. Enough cannot be said about this book for those interested in the development of European weapons – it is invaluable and rightly cherished. His other works, additionally, are highly recommended.
January 27, 2013
This was a first rate read!
I mainly concentrated on the introduction and up to part three, which is the Viking age. Part four is the age of chivalry and goes into a period of history in which I have less interest, but I may yet pick it up and read it sometime simply because it is such fun to read.
In the preface to the 1994 reprint the author explains a little of the hostory of the book and the reprint; I strongly recommend that anyone who is going to use this as a source book (As I will be) read that.
The descriptions of the history, distribution, function and development of ornamentation in swords is comprehensive and very absorbing.
There is a lot of miscellaneous facts making it good reading and I will take this review up again when the electricity stops flickering.
I mainly concentrated on the introduction and up to part three, which is the Viking age. Part four is the age of chivalry and goes into a period of history in which I have less interest, but I may yet pick it up and read it sometime simply because it is such fun to read.
In the preface to the 1994 reprint the author explains a little of the hostory of the book and the reprint; I strongly recommend that anyone who is going to use this as a source book (As I will be) read that.
The descriptions of the history, distribution, function and development of ornamentation in swords is comprehensive and very absorbing.
There is a lot of miscellaneous facts making it good reading and I will take this review up again when the electricity stops flickering.
July 10, 2009
Product Description
Tremendously detailed and thorough account of premodern weapons of war — from the prehistoric Bronze and Iron Ages and the breakup of the Roman Empire, to the Viking era and the Age of Chivalry. Profusely illustrated with a host of armor and weapons: daggers, longbows, crossbows, helmets, swords, shields, spears and more.
This is a very useful tome for anyone needing to research historical weaponry or anyone interested in weaponry. Probably not for light reading, but lots of good information.
Tremendously detailed and thorough account of premodern weapons of war — from the prehistoric Bronze and Iron Ages and the breakup of the Roman Empire, to the Viking era and the Age of Chivalry. Profusely illustrated with a host of armor and weapons: daggers, longbows, crossbows, helmets, swords, shields, spears and more.
This is a very useful tome for anyone needing to research historical weaponry or anyone interested in weaponry. Probably not for light reading, but lots of good information.
June 7, 2016
Hard to believe the number of interesting details in this book. Covers mostly cutting and piercing weapons up through the Middles Ages. With the rampant increase in street crime and home invasions in our cities and towns today, perhaps its time we all carried spears and broadswords to protect our loved ones.
October 8, 2025
"Of arms, and of man I sing", wrote Virgil, putting arms first as they were sacred, invested with a sort of divine potency and full of solemn significance.
This is a fascinating book about European art of war and about weapons which are among the most plentiful objects surviving from man's remote past and therefore a very rich material for study.
This is a fascinating book about European art of war and about weapons which are among the most plentiful objects surviving from man's remote past and therefore a very rich material for study.
October 19, 2009
A useful book, we look at it for so often.
June 22, 2012
As I child, I read a much, much earlier edition of this title -- and loved it to death. Glad to see it's still in print. I'm getting a copy by hook or by crook... :-)
May 30, 2016
A very readable and accessible introduction to the history of sword development and the different types used in the middle ages. Images are well used and referred to throughout the text.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews