Swords and Swordsmen

by Loades, Mike; Des Forges, Adam

• ISBN13: 9781848841338
• ISBN10: 1848841337
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2011-02-19
• Publisher: Pen & Sword

Summary

This magnificent book tells the story of the evolution of swords, how they were made, how they were used, and the people that used them. It doesn't claim to give comprehensive coverage but instead takes certain surviving examples as landmarks on a fascinating journey through the history of swords. Each is selected because it can be linked to a specific individual, thus telling their story too and giving a human interest. So the journey starts with the sword of Tutankhamun and ends with the swords of J E B Stuart and George Custer. Along the way we take in Henry V, Cromwell and Uesugi Kenshin, and there is the most detailed discussion you'll find anywhere of all of George Washington's swords. The chapters on these specific swords and swordsmen are alternated with more general chapters on the changing technical developments and fashions in swords and their use. The reader's guide on this historical tour is Mike Loades. Mike has been handling swords most of his life, as a fight arranger, stuntman and historical weapons expert for TV and stage. He considers the sword as a functional weapon, work of art, fashion statement and cultural icon. As much as his profound knowledge of the subject, it is his life-long passion for swords that comes through on every page. His fascinating text is supported by a lavish wealth of images, many previously unpublished and taken specifically for this book.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements	p. vii
Foreword	p. ix
Introduction	p. xiii
The Sword of Tutankhamun, Pharaoh of Egypt	p. 1
Swords of the Iron Age: Greek, Celtic, Roman	p. 29
The Sword of King Raedwald, King of the East Angles	p. 79
The Swords of the Northmen: Pirates to Crusaders	p. 111
The Sword of King Henry V, King of England	p. 125
Medieval Diversity: Bearing Swords, Backswords, Falchions and War Swords	p. 161
The Sword of Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor	p. 177
The Sword of Uesugi Kenshin, Samhurai Warlord	p. 205
The Sword of Honour and the Rise of the Civilian Duel	p. 245
The Sword of Henri V, King of France	p. 273
The Sword of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England	p. 301
The Gentleman's Companion: the Age of the Smallsword	p. 327
The Many Swords of George Washington: Swords in the American Revolutionary War	p. 349
The Sword of Lieutenant Henry Lane, Hussar at Waterloo	p. 397
The Swords of J.E.B. Stuart and G.A. Custer: Cavalry Generals in the American Civil War	p. 427
Epilouge	p. 459
Glossary	p. 471
Bibliography	p. 483
Index	p. 487
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.