The story of arms in Western Europe from the Renaissance to the Industrial Revolution. A treasury of information based on solid scholarship, anyone seeking a factual and vivid account of the story of arms from the Renaissance period to the Industrial Revolution will welcome this book. The author chooses as his starting-point the invasion of Italy by France in 1494, which sowed the dragon's teeth of all the successive European wars; the French invasion was to accelerate the trend towards new armaments and new methods of warfare. The authordescribes the development of the handgun and the pike, the use and style of staff-weapons, mace and axe and war-hammer, dagger and dirk and bayonet. He shows how armour attained its full Renaissance splendour and then suffered itssorry and inevitable decline, culminating in the Industrial Revolution, with its far-reaching effects on military armaments. Above all, he follows the long history of the sword, queen of weapons, to the late eighteenth century, when it finally ceased to form a part of a gentleman's every-day wear. Lavishly illustrated. EWART OAKESHOTT was one of the world's leading authorities on the arms and armour of medieval Europe. His other works on the subject include Records of the Medieval Sword and The Sword in the Age of Chivalry.

An engaging book of great use to scholars and students. [It] demystifies the material culture of an important aspect of the military and tournament activities of early modern Europe. .. If one had room for only a single book on the subject, this volume should be it. * SEVENTEENTH CENTURY NEWS *
This book represents part of the essential reading list for any student of the subject. [...] The coverage of the subject is comprehensive. The illustrations, both line drawings and photographs, are excellent. * HOBILAR *
This seminal work makes a welcome return...Anyone who has read any of Mr Oakeshott's books will know well the clear, chatty style of his text...it is a pleasure to read. * CHRONICLE REGIA ANGLORUM *
The contents of this book are comprehensive...woven into the background of history... A further volume by one of the world's leading authorities on [the subject] and a true work of reference not merely for any serious student of the subject but also those with an interest in a lively and most readable account of the artifacts of warfare during this period of development. * CLASSIC ARMS & MILITARIA *