1300-1400

Abstract

"Medieval arms and armour are intrinsically fascinating. From the smoke and noise of the armourer's forge to the bloody violence of the battlefield or the silken panoply of the tournament, weapons and armour - and those who made and bore them - are woven into the fabric of medieval society. This sourcebook will aid anyone who seeks to develop a deeper understanding by introducing and presenting the primary sources in which these artefacts are first mentioned. Over a hundred original documents are transcribed and translated, including wills and inventories, craft statutes, chronicle accounts, and challenges to single combat. The book also includes an extensive glossary, lavishly illustrated with fifty-two images of extant armour and weapons from the period, and contemporary artistic depictions from illuminated manuscripts and other sources. This book will therefore be of interest to a wide audience, from the living history practitioner, crafter, and martial artist, to students of literature, military history, art, and material culture"--Provided by publisher.

Contents

Medieval Arms and Armour: A Sourcebook. Volume I: The Fourteenth Century -- Contents -- List of Illustrations -- List of Documents -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Using the Sourcebook -- English Pronunciation -- Towards a Working Vocabulary -- Part I: Introduction to the Source-Types -- Textual Source-Types -- Material Source-Types -- Part II: The Documents -- Part III: Illustrated Glossary -- Bibliography -- Index