About This Book

With an immense amount of information condensed into a compact book, Armour and Weapons provides a clear presentation of the history of personal military protection for people and horses from chain mail to highly ornamental costumes. Illustrated with the author’s excellent, detailed line drawings and photographs, the book is designed to serve as both a means of studying the history of armor and its associated weapons and as a short guide to the craft of the armorer.

Through examining comtemporary images, existing examples of armor, and historical accounts, the author explains in precise and engaging prose all the key points about the development, construction, and proper wearing of armor and the attempt to counter this protection to allow the reader to gain useful knowledge and correct many misunderstandings and myths surrounding armor and its history.

Contents: The Age of Mail (1066-1277); The Transition Period (1277-1410); The Wearing of Armour and its Constructional Details; Plate Armour (1410-1600); Horse Armour; The Decadence of Armour; Weapons.

Charles John Ffoulkes (1868–1947), was the first full-time curator of the Royal Armouries, Tower of London. He is author of many articles and books on the history of armor, including The Armourer and His Craft.

Praise for Armour and Weapons:

“A classic in the field”—Walter J. Karcheski, Jr., Chief Curator of Arms and Armour, Frazier Historical Arms Museum

“A handy book giving really correct information.”—Harold Arthur, Viscount Dillon