Customer Reviews

Medieval Military Costume: Europa Militaria Special No. 8

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This books is rather thin - only 96 pages - but there is not page crammed with gorgeous illustrations or colour pics ( generally two or three large ones on every page!!) that show military costumes in Medieval times. He covers all periods of the Middle Ages, and all levels from Lord and Knights, to bowman and common footsoldier, even women on the campaigns. For those who love history, but have no hands on experience and want to really visualise what each piece of equipment was, how it fit, was worn with other pieces of clothing and accoutrements you cannot find a better resource.

For writers here what you need, you can SEE what you are writing about more clearly with this in conjunction with other history references.

For reenactors, you cannot do without a copy.

Highly recommended for anyone interested in Medieval gear.

Embleton's book provides a surprising amount of densely informative text, accompanied by full color photographs of good-quality reenactment kits. The periods featured include the 10th through 15th centuries, though the 15th century gets the greatest amount of coverage. Interestingly, women (or at least the types of women likely to accompany a period army) are also included and receive a surprising amount of coverage also. I recommend this little gem to any 14th-15th century European reenactor, as well as to military and costume scholars of the medieval period.

Medieval Military Costume is the most important living history book that I have found to date. Is has become an invaluable reference for my 14th century re-enactment club for historical clothing research. For anyone dedicated to living history work this book is a valuable addition to your reference library. Many aspects of historical clothing and armour are covered from soldier's helmets to men's underwear and from ladies's headpieces to boots. The garments and armour are historically created using the dyes, patterns, stitching and construction of their respective eras. If you are tired of the roleplaying versions of medieval history and have a taste for true history order this book today.

This is a perfect inspirational book for the medieval reenactor. Gerry Embleton is a well known reenactor who has gone out of his way to really visualise the medieval way of life in colour photographs. I've had much use for it when i planned my armour and dress for reenactment. Without this book i would have been left to study paintings and essays to find this much information at once. And above all i can be certain that all of the clothes and armour in this book is thoroughy researched and "authentic".

I own many books filled with beautiful illustrations of medieval soldiers. In their own right, these illustrations can be both exciting and highly informative. But there is nothing like a well photographed image of a historical reenactor to bring history to life. The reenactors photographed in "Medieval Military Costume" show an attention to detail that is only seen in the very best reenactment groups. Gerry Embleton and John Howe are also skilled professional artists and they have the technical skill to beautifully photograph the reenactors. The images are well lit and the colors are very vibrant. There are other books that feature medieval historical reenactors but what seperates "Medieval Military Costume" from the pack, is the quality of the images and the richness of the historical interpretions. This is a beautiful book and I give it my highest recommendation.

Like the other reviewers, I was very happy to get my hands on this. Color photographs and illustrations throughout. I particularly like how the photographs strive for a "documentary" feel.