Ewart Oakeshott ( Eng. Ewart Oakeshott ; May 25, 1916 - September 30, 2002 ) - A recognized worldwide scientist specializing in the history of weapons. His work on the classification of the existing elements of the swords of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is considered the most comprehensive and visual aid on the typology of medieval European swords [1] .
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He is not the only specialist who tried to classify bladed weapons, many research scientists have repeatedly tried to compile catalogs with descriptions and images of swords. So, in the late XIX - early XX centuries , Dr. Jan Petersen created a classification of swords from the time of the Vikings. But his complex and cumbersome classification (26 categories) required improvement, therefore, not even ten years have passed, and Dr. REM Wheeler simplified it to 7 types, numbering them with Roman numerals. Subsequently, Ewart Oakeshott improved and refined this system by adding a pair of transitional types (VIII and IX) [2] .
13 types and subtypes of swords distinguished by Oakeshott are divided into two groups: the first — types X — XIV — with a wide blade, having a lens-shaped cross section, which were used most often for delivering cutting and cutting blows to soldiers dressed in chain mail; the second — types XV — XXII — with a parallel tapering blade, having a rhombic shape in cross section, which were used most often for delivering piercing blows to soldiers dressed in plate armor. Despite the calculated use of swords included in group 2, if necessary, they could inflict chopping blows.
To describe and compare the swords in the study of the blade, apple, cross and the handle of the handle, they can be distributed according to four signs, and then combined inside each type.
This classification system has greatly simplified the problem of determining the date of use of the sword, including the development of the armor of “his” era. It cannot be argued that this typology is accurate and universal, the author emphasizes this, but it makes it possible to most effectively perceive and evaluate the development of the sword in the Middle Ages.
1960, Oakeshott publishes the book Archeology of Weapons. From the Bronze Age to the Renaissance ”(The Archeology of Weapons: Arms and Armor from Prehistory to the Age of Chivalry) [3] . The work touches upon a considerable chronological period and gives a description of various types of defensive and offensive weapons. In addition, the first version of the future typology of swords appears in it, consisting of a small number of types from X to XIX, and no subtypes were distinguished at all.
In 1964, readers were offered a new work entirely devoted to the theme of medieval swords - “The Sword in the Age of Chivalry” [4] . In this book, Oakeshott adds only one main type of sword - XX, but introduces the concept of sub- or sub-type and identifies 12 such, which greatly expands the scope of the typology created earlier. The record in this classification belongs to type XVIII, consisting of 5 subtypes.
In 1991, “Notes on a Medieval Sword” was published, where the author sums up a peculiar result of the research, the final corrections and additions to the previously developed typology are made, namely:
- from types X and XII, the subtypes Xa, XIIa, respectively, are distinguished;
- the incorrectly defined XIb subtype is deleted;
- there remains one subtype of XVIIIa from the 5 previously identified type XVIII;
- stands out for two new types XXI and XXII from the subtype of XXa, thus extending the classification;
- a new subtype of XX is formed due to the identification of types XXI and XXII.
All three books created the globally recognized “sword” trilogy, which was repeatedly reprinted in different countries. To date, you can get acquainted with the studies of E. Oakeshott from the first two books published in Russian.
Publications
- Oakeshott E. Archeology of weapons / Transl. from English M.K. Yakushkina. - M.: Centerpolygraph CJSC, 2004. - 398 p.: Ill. - ISBN 5-9524-0968-7 .
- Oakeshott E. Knight and his castle. Medieval Fortresses and Siege Structures / Transl. from English A.N. Anvaer. - M.: Centerpolygraph CJSC, 2007. - 206 p.: Ill. - ISBN 978-5-9524-2934-5 .
- Oakeshott E. Knight and his armor. Plate vestments and weapons / Per. from English A.N. Anvaer. - M.: Centerpolygraph CJSC, 2007. - 188 p.: Ill. - ISBN 978-5-9524-2636-8 .
- Oakeshott E. Sword in the Age of Chivalry. Classification, typology, description / Per. from English L. M. Igorevsky. - M.: Centerpolygraph CJSC, 2007. - 176 p.: Ill. - ISBN 978-5-9524-3315-1 .
- Oakeshott E. Weapons and military armor of Europe. From ancient times to the end of the Middle Ages. - M.: Centerpolygraph CJSC, 2009. - 704 pp., Ill. - ISBN 978-5-9524-4069-2 .