Contents

pp v-vi

List of Illustrations

pp vii-xiv

Acknowledgements

pp xv-xv

Foreword

pp xvi-xvi

Preface

pp xvii-xix

List of Contributors

pp xx-xxii

I - TYPOLOGY

pp 1-2

1 - “What is the Riddle of Steel?”: Problems of Classification and Terminology in the Study of Late Medieval Swords

pp 3-11

2 - Challenging Typologies: Swords in the Utrecht Psalter

pp 12-23

3 - “… schirmen mit Federklingen”: Towards a Terminology of Fencing Swords (1400–1600)

pp 24-40

II - METALLURGY AND PRODUCTION

pp 41-42

4 - Phosphoric Iron and Welded Patterns: The Reconstruction of an Early Medieval Sword from Beckum

pp 43-60

5 - Material and Properties of VLFBERHT Swords

pp 61-88

6 - A Sword from the Rhine: Restoration, Examination and Classification of a Chance Find

pp 89-101

7 - The Highest Art of Smithery: Research on a Tyrolean Sword

pp 102-116

III - SYMBOLIC MEANING AND CULTURAL PERCEPTION

pp 117-118

8 - The Battle for Glory: Form and Function of Early Nordic Bronze Age Swords

pp 119-130

9 - The Iron Sword from the “Warrior’s Grave” in Lanuvium

pp 131-142

10 - The Swords of the Italic Kings

pp 143-154

11 - Three Treasures in One Blade: Thoughts on a Rare Form of the Japanese Sword

pp 155-166

12 - “.j. veel feble fauchon dil anxien temps.” The Selection of the Falchion as Symbol of Tenure: Form, Function and Symbolism

pp 167-175

13 - The Way of the Northmen: The Development of the Norman Sword from Duke Rollo in Normandy to Emperor Frederick II in Sicily from the Tenth to the Thirteenth Century

pp 176-184

IV - FIGHTING AND SWORDSMANSHIP

pp 185-186

14 - Researching Bronze Age Swordsmanship: Experiments and Wear Analysis

pp 187-207

15 - Egenolff’s Fight Book: Form and Thought, Then and Now

pp 208-215

16 - A Sword for a System: The Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sword

pp 216-235

Bibliography

pp 236-262

Index of People

pp 263-264

Index of Places

pp 265-266