The Archaeology of Weapons: Arms and Armour from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry

This volume traces the development of European arms and armour from around 2000 BC to 1500 AD, with particular emphasis on the Middle Ages. It draws on a variety of sources, to show how changes were wrought by the use of new materials or by the ever-shifting demands of war and fashion. It covers, among other subjects, the charioteers of the Near East, the Bronze Age weapons of Europe, and the Roman attitude to arms. Oakeshott draws on material from a variety of sources, including the clues to be found in literature as diverse as the Old Testament, works of Homer, Celtic sagas and medieval romances. The author's own classification of medieval sword types is employed as a standard means of comparison and identification.