Records of the Medieval Sword [Paperback]

Ewart Oakeshott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 2007

Forty years of intensive research into the specialised subject of the straight two-edged knightly sword of the European middle ages are contained in this study. Spanning the period from the great migrations to the Renaissance, Oakeshott emphasises the original purpose of the sword as an intensely intimate accessory of great significance and mystique as well as an artefact for archaeological examination. There are over 300 photographs and drawings of swords, each fully annotated and described in detail, supported by a long introductory chapter with diagrams of the typological framework, now updated, first worked out and presented in The Archaeology of Weapons, and further elaborated in The Sword in the Age of Chivalry. There are appendices on inlaid blade inscriptions, scientific dating, the swordsmith's art, and a sword of Edward III.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Boydell Press (May 24, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0851155669
• ISBN-13: 978-0851155661
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #456,797 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Sword Reference, November 23, 1999

By 

Dan Slatten (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Records of the Medieval Sword (Paperback)

Records of the Medieval Sword is a remarkable volume, representing a body of work in the subject area with no equal.

Although the information is provided in an extremely authoritative manner, it is written in a very personable way, leaving this reader with a desire to know (have known?) the author.

If I were to attempt to be overly critical of this book, I would mention that there are a few minor, but still rather annoying, typographical errors and mis-numbered illustrations that detract somewhat from the otherwise masterly scholorship presented in the volume.

Also, in my opinion, a reference such as this should be provided in a hard cover edition, with full color plates wherever possible.

I will treasure this addition to my library.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sword expert who actually understood swords!, January 15, 2006

By 

Stephen Hand (Hobart, Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Records of the Medieval Sword (Paperback)

Ewart Oakeshott was unsurpassed in his understanding of medieval swords. Unlike the majority of weapons curators who focus exclusively on the hilt and try their hardest to pretend that the sword was never a practical tool, he appreciated the whole sword. Oakeshott's typology is based on blade shape, i.e. on how the sword handles and what it can be used for. Because of this Ewart was loved by re-enactors and historical swordsmen who view swords as a beautifully designed tool that comes to life in their hands.

I feel very fortunate to have had the chance to work with Ewart just before his death (editing a paper he submitted to the anthology Spada). Just as he reminded museum curators that the sword was a practical tool, not an art object, he reminded swordsmen that the sword was an important symbol of just might, not just a tool.

Records of the Medieval Sword is the best available book describing medieval swords (though his earlier book The Sword in the Age of Chivalry is also well worth picking up). It has clear photographs of the whole sword, and lists blade lengths. If only it had a few more measurements (weight, blade width at various points, point of balance, centre of percussion etc.) it would be a perfect resource for people who make and use swords but who rarely have the opportunity to hold genuine originals and feel their handling characteristics. Even with this minor omission, this book deserves pride of place in the library of anyone interested in the medieval sword.

Stephen Hand
Author, English Swordsmanship, Medieval Sword and Shield
Editor Spada, Spada II

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any serious student of the European Sword!, March 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Records of the Medieval Sword (Paperback)

This book is full of pictures and data covering the full developement of the Medieval Sword in Europe. It contains the only complete typeology of swords, based on thier blade shape and function. It is written in a very readable form by a man with a genuine enthusiasm for swords, without the usual dry-as-dirt pedantry that is usually associated with books of this type. While by-passing some important data, it is far more comprehensive that any other book of it's type.