This is an excellent book both for beginners and for those who are more knowledgable about medieval period knightly warfare. The book begins with discussion of where the Romans left off and Charlemagne begins although it does not delve to heavily into this period. It really comes into its own starting just before the Norman invasion of 1066 AD with pre invasion insight into Saxon weapons but picks up with the Bayeuz Tapestry pictures illistrating Norman weapons and their uses. It deals with 11th century arms and armor on thru the 15th century with rich color illustrations text on a century by century basis to show development of armor and arms. Pictures of swords of each period and discussions armor development and manufacture are given. This is a very well researched book. Appendices give closeups of the armor pieces of plate along with the proper name of each and type of fastening used. Types of maille are shown as well as their manufacture.
If you do not have a copy of this book get one. It should be required reading for every MyArmory member.

—Updated Feb 27, 2010

Very interesting read!

—Updated Feb 26, 2010

This book is full of information. It describes For a beginner like myself, arms and armor of the european knight in detail and I found things I did not know.It gives a break down of the development of arms and armor with detailed commentary on what it is, how it worked and how it was used. The pictures are great and really bring this book to life. I'm very happy with this book and glad it was the first history book in my collection

—Updated Aug 1, 2009

Great book with lots of great photos of some unique weapons and good basic information on arms and armor up to the 16th century.

—Updated May 15, 2009

I am really enjoying this book - it has a great collection of photos and the text is well written, interesting, and loaded with accurate information. A great reference book.

—Updated Mar 29, 2008

This book is probably the best armour book published in recent years. It is absorbing and easily readable. It covers most items used by the knight from the 12th to the 16th centuries. It is beautifully illustrated, with a special section of technical photographs at the rear. Anyone with any interest at all in arms & armour or the middleages should have, and read this tome.

—Updated Mar 23, 2008

Essential starting place for anyone interested in the development of armor from the 11th thru the 16th centuries.

—Updated Jan 28, 2008

Great photo references. Not much for the super close views, but great of overall of the classical suits. It gives me sort of an assembly guide, as to what goes with what. How the lines will flow together and make the set look intergrated and not just cobbeled together.

Any armour enthusiast should have this one.

—Updated Jan 6, 2008

Great Overview of Armour - lots and lots of inspirational pictures, wish i got mine earlier!

—Updated Aug 31, 2007

If anyone needs an overview of the development of medieval arms and armour, this is alway THE book I recommend as a starting point. Other books are more scholarly, others may have greater depth, but it is hard to see how this book, with its combination of high quality photographs and informative text, could be bettered as a start on the learning path.

—Updated Jul 9, 2007 :: 1 of 1 members found this review helpful

I donated two copies of this book to my school library. It is full of great photos of some of the best medieval equipment to be found. It is large in format which lends itself to better viewing of fine details. Needs to be in your library even if all you can find is a used copy.

—Updated Apr 29, 2007

This book is an absolute must to begin an arms and armour library. The book is a lavishly illustrated overview of medieval arms and armour fromn the rise of the knight in the Viking Age right up to the final flowering of chivalry in the 16th century. It also includes a chapter on the tournament. The book also conatins a nice glossary and a nice section on construction. Some of the nicer features of the book are the drawings of different configurations of Visby coats-of-plates found in the glossary section and the large size photos of existing arms and armour and arms and armour in art.

—Updated Oct 17, 2006 :: 1 of 1 members found this review helpful

I agree with what everyone else has said. The book covers a number of important steps in arms and armour and is straight forward enough that anyone can sit down and get a good understanding of armour and arms from a number of era giving it a place in the greater scope of history. I would recommend this as an entry point as it is very general and somewhat oversimplifies some aspects of medieval warfare that could do with more information but as this is likely done by the authors on purpose it works. A good starting book for the beginner but as all starting places should be followed up with books that are of more depth. Over all a great book.

—Updated Aug 16, 2006 :: 1 of 1 members found this review helpful

A classic of the overview books, few pack as much quality info in the same space.

—Updated Jul 14, 2006

Fantastic pictures through out this book. Great info too. I highly recommend this book.

—Updated May 4, 2006

This was my first book on A&A - extremely influential to my interest (read: obsession) with arms and armour today. I finally was able to replace my long-lost copy recently. Classic photos - seems everyone knows a couple of these pieces. Very helpful in a few of the educational talks I have given, as there is a wide range of pieces representing a broad spectrum of historical armours... Now, if I could make my living room look like this book....

—Updated Dec 14, 2005 :: 2 of 2 members found this review helpful

A nice overview of medieval armour. Great pictures, and set up so that chapter by chapter you are passing through the centuries in chronological order. This is a classic volume that, although out of print, is definately worth picking up if you can get it on the used market. The information is a little general, but that's part of what makes this a good buy. It's easy to understand for a person who wants a broad overview of armour development, though a person who wants hard core information on specifics will need other sources as well.

—Updated Dec 13, 2005 :: 3 of 3 members found this review helpful

This book covers the history and armament of medieval knights from the eleventh to the seventeenth centuries. It is full of photographs, paintings, and drawings and is organized into chapters by century. The information is laid out in a fairly scholarly fashion without being esoteric or difficult to read. Appendices feature armour construction information and close-up pictures. A handy glossary follows.

—Updated Dec 13, 2005 :: 2 of 2 members found this review helpful

one of my personal favorites. if you can find a copy buy it

—Updated Nov 15, 2005 :: 0 of 1 members found this review helpful

This book may be hard to find. If you can get a hold of it, you should. It is a wonderful survey of medieval arms and armour, with great photography you would find in a coffee-table book. The text covers a huge amount of material in a relatively small space. The best introduction to the subject.

—Updated Nov 5, 2005

This book provides a well-rounded basic overview of the medieval knight. This one may be just the thing for the new student of the subject. Informative and well illustrated but not overwhelming in its content.

—Updated Aug 1, 2005 :: 2 of 2 members found this review helpful