<b>For two centuries the impressive and deadly longsword was a key weapon on the battlefields of late medieval Europe, creating a new system of swordfighting and inspiring a recent upsurge of interest in Western Martial Arts. Drawing together period sources, modern technical analysis and his own experiences with the longsword, a noted authority explores the origins, manufacture and evolving use of this iconic latemedieval edged weapon.</b><br><br>The formidable European longsword - featuring a doubleedged straight blade in excess of 40in, and capable of being used with one or both hands - remains one of the most impressive and distinctive edged weapons of the late medieval era. Also known as the bastard sword and the hand-and-a-half sword, the longsword, evolved from the war swords and great swords of the 14th century, and emerged as a battlefield weapon in the early stages of the Hundred Years' War.<br><br>Fully illustrated with specially commissioned full-colour artwork and an array of period illustrations and close-up photographs, this is the enthralling story of one of latemedieval Europe's most distinctive and deadly close-combat weapons, written by a noted authority on the subject.