The Knight and the Blast Furnace: A History of the Metallurgy of Armour in the Middle Ages & the Early Modern Period (History of Warfare, 12) (Hardcover)

~ Alan Williams (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The suit of armour distinguishes the European Middle Ages and Renaissance from all other periods and cultures. This work tells the story from its invention in 14th century Lombardy, until its decline in the 17th century, mainly due to the development of another military technology, the gun.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 954 pages
• Publisher: Brill Academic Publishers (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9004124985
• ISBN-13: 978-9004124981
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.1 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,534,817 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best armour books ever written!, May 17, 2006

By	Douglas W. Strong "Armour Research Society" (Chicago area, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a highly detailed study of the metallurgy of medieval and Renaissance armour. It reveals some surprising facts and challenges some commonly held beliefs. The level of accuracy and detail are unmatched in this book. It features hundreds of pieces of armour from collections all over the world.

I highly recommend this book!

5.0 out of 5 stars The Definitive Tome, December 29, 2008

By	Daniel McFarlin "bioroid" (Mountain View, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

It's difficult not to be truly staggered by the exhaustiveness of this book. It's also fitting that as the culmination of a life's work this book documents the life of medieval armor from early chainmail to the elaborately adorned plate armor that we've come to associate with european knights. Virtually every aspect of armor is explored. The reader is first exposed to the essential theoretical and practical metallurgy that underlies the physical properties of armor. The author then uses this framework to motivate the descriptions of the design, development and production of armor. Of particular interest are the experiments conducted by the author to investigate the fundamental property of armor: protective efficacy against contemporary battlefield threats. Combined with the thorough treatment of the complex, co-evolutionary arms race between projectile and armor, the experimental results are sure to provoke a rethink of many medieval conflicts.