Deeds of Arms: Formal Combats in the Late Fourteenth Century

by Steven Muhlberger

Medieval deeds of arms evoke the imagination as brightly armoured knights clash with a splintering of lances. During the fourteenth century, the reality of deeds of arms was focused not only on the noble jousting festivals and round tables. They were sometimes fought by men-at-arms who risked their lives for the fame and renown that could be won. By their deeds these knights not only won fame, but social prestige and wealth achieved by catapulting their names far and wide through the risk of a potentially mortal chivalric feat of arms. These miniature battles were more than just bravado--they established legitimacy for key personalities during the fourteenth century. Upon the chivalric stage we meet famous names such as Edward III, Boucicaut the Younger, and Charles le Blois. Perhaps more importantly, we find less well-known combatants whose deeds inspired generations of knights and men-at-arms. Encounters such as the Combat of the Thirty and the Jousts at Saint Ingelvert, well-described in multiple surviving sources, were the superbowls of chivalric life during the Hundred Years' War and have been leveraged by Professor Muhlberger to bring these amazing stories to life.

Genres: History

247 pages, Hardcover

First published June 30, 2005

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-researched, and extremely readable. Perhaps a little outdated given how fast HEMA scholarship is being published now, but there's a wealth of information here, even for people who may be more interested in courtly play/noble values than HEMA itself.

Muhlberger manages to discuss the various personalities involved in the first half of the hundred-years war without confusing the reader and I'm now interested in reading more about Richard II, as well as Charles V of France.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone with real interest in European history, this answers the critical question, "Who gets the horse!?" And if you don't get this, time to read up!