The Medieval Tournament (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) [Paperback]

R. Coltman Clephan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor | Publication Date: August 1, 1995

Complete, detailed history of English and European tournaments, based on rare manuscripts and original sources. Topics include Arthurian and other round tables, body armor, chain mail, plate armor, royal jousts, introduction of firearms in the 14th century, the tilt, effigies, trial by combat, duels and many other aspects. 24 illustrations. Bibliography. Index.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (August 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486286207
• ISBN-13: 978-0486286204
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #509,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Primary Source Info on Medieval Tourneys, March 29, 2000

By 

J. Russ (STOW, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Medieval Tournament (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) (Paperback)

For anyone seeking to understand the forms and function of the Medieval tournament Clephan's book is considered to be a standard reference. First published under the auspices of the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London in 1919, this text makes extensive use of primary sources: books of rules of the list, descriptions of the pageantry and spectacles involved in specific tourneys, the training of knights, and letters detailing the planning of such events. Clephan draws on both French and English sources and explains the development of the tournament from the eleventh century through the sixteenth, not only translating and interpreting the primary sources but offering commentary on the how the knightly ideal was shaped by and in turn shaped such popular entertainments.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Full of Details and Illustrations, May 29, 2007

By 

Alice Bright (Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Medieval Tournament (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) (Paperback)

For those who love arms and armor, Clephan supplies a well-researched book complete with excellent black-and-white illustrations and diagrams. The photographs of suits of armor are especially detailed and well-presented. Clephan gives real insight into the military life of the European nations and covers such varied topics as pieces of armor, jousting techniques, famous tournaments, heraldry and rules of the game.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Unorganized and confusing, May 27, 2007

By 

Anthony Swierzbinski - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Medieval Tournament (Dover Military History, Weapons, Armor) (Paperback)

Clephan's book is informative, but it is hard to decipher the point he is trying to make. His lack of organization really takes away from the quality of the book. His chapters are not unified by any central topic, except the one on trial by combat, which is the best chapter of the book. There are many Latin, French, and German quotations with no translations. Clephan also spends page upon page describing events, pictures, and equipment in other books without illustrations or pictures to accompany it. I was disappointed also because he seems to address the tournament mostly in the 16th century, which many historians do not even consider to be the medieval era.