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Post by AlvaroWang on Nov 15, 2014 5:01:46 GMT
Hello my friends!
I know this forum is more practical than theoretical but I got a question.
Does anybody have a good source on the history of swords?
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Post by LG Martial Arts on Nov 15, 2014 5:16:07 GMT
it depends on the type of swords you're thinking about - Euro/Asian/Middle Eastern/Egyptian? Can you be a little more specific, or are you looking for the earliest examples and moving forward?? Are you thinking about paleolithic/neolithic/bronze/iron ages? Not trying to be a jerk or anything, but it would help if you narrowed down what you're asking about.
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Post by junon on Nov 15, 2014 5:18:20 GMT
Myarmoury would be one of the best source for historical weapon discussion.
For book, anything from oakeshott would be a good source...
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Scott
Member
Posts: 1,678
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Post by Scott on Nov 15, 2014 9:09:48 GMT
I'll second the Oakeshott recommendation. Sir Richard Burton's the book of the sword is good too, although it doesn't really cover anything more recent than ancient Rome. He planned to write more but died before he got to it.
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Post by MOK on Nov 15, 2014 12:14:53 GMT
Yeah, almost anything by Oakeshott is good for Medieval European swords, specifically.
If you're looking for a general overview of everything everywhere ever... well, those usually suck, frankly, suffering from the ridiculously broad focus and subsequent lack of depth, but Swords and Hilt Weapons from Prion Books is one of the better ones I've seen. As good an introduction as anything I can think of.
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Post by AlvaroWang on Nov 15, 2014 14:37:39 GMT
You are not being a jerk at all. Since I posted it on the medieval forum, I expected the history of medieval swords, but, in fact, I am happy to read about medieval, renaissance and eastern weapons in general. From bronze age onwards.
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Post by AlvaroWang on Nov 15, 2014 14:49:25 GMT
Omg, now I understand where all the Oakeshott swords come from. Never quite figured what was that…
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Post by LemuelTheLemur on Nov 15, 2014 15:06:39 GMT
I'm currently reading "Swords and Swordsmen" by Mike Loades. Its focus is more on the historical context of swords and the people who wielded them, rather than the swords themselves. As a result it doesn't go into much depth regarding sword typology, function, training etc. It's a good casual read, and Mike Loades writes very well.
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Post by MOK on Nov 15, 2014 16:51:12 GMT
Hah! Yeah, his typology is the most popular system for describing cruciform Medieval (very roughly 1000-1500CE) swords. MyArmoury.com has a good article on the man and his overall work, as well as a series of more in-depth articles on each of the types.
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