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From fantasy novels and cosplay to Renaissance festivals and roleplaying games, the love for medieval weapons runs deep. But how were they actually used? In The Use of Medieval Weaponry , historical fencing instructor and competitive fighter, Eric Lowe brings together the words of over a dozen medieval masters, as well as the practical experience of contemporary historical European martial artists, to answer this deceptively simple question. For the first time, learn to see weapons from the perspective, not of ancient generals or modern museum curators, but the people holding the sword. Compare weapons in combat, consider the pros and cons of different types and styles, and discover how medieval warriors adapted their art to their favourite tools. Whether you are an armchair enthusiast or a fighter ready to step up your game, Lowe takes you inside the world of medieval martial arts as no one else can. FRONT COVER 1 PRAISE FOR THE USE OF MEDIEVAL WEAPONS 3 HALF TITLE 5 TITLE 7 COPYRIGHT PAGE 8 CONTENTS 9 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 11 A NOTE ON TRANSLATIONS 13 PREFACE 17 CHAPTER ONE – We’re all sword geeks here 19 CHAPTER TWO – How do we know any of this? 23 CHAPTER THREE – Of royal blood: longsword 35 CHAPTER FOUR – Excellent and useful: sword and buckler 59 CHAPTER FIVE – Queen of swords: sword and shield 89 CHAPTER SIX – The forgotten: sword and cloak, swordand dagger, and two swords 115 CHAPTER SEVEN – Malice and art: knives and daggers 149 CHAPTER EIGHT – Many obligations: greatswords 165 CHAPTER NINE – The unseen: what about axesand maces? 189 CHAPTER TEN – Arm’s length: thrusting polearms 197 CHAPTER ELEVEN – Grace and results: cutting polearms 221 CHAPTER TWELVE – Taking hits: fencing in, andagainst, armor 237 CHAPTER THIRTEEN – Honor in wars: military fencing 261 CHAPTER FOURTEEN – Final thoughts 275 WORKS CITED 277 INDEX 281 BACK COVER 290 This is a book about how medieval weapons were used, according to medieval people who used them. It discusses the use of eight weapons or weapon combinations from the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, selected with an eye toward their iconic status in popular culture, as well as five different combative contexts. The aim of this book is to familiarize the reader with the use of medieval weaponry in a general way. It is not a how-to book on martial arts, but the reader will come away with a fresh appreciation for the sophistication of medieval fencing and a reasonably accurate picture of what medieval fighting looked like on the personal level.