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The Medieval Soldier: 15th Century Campaign Life Recreated in Colour Photographs
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In a dazzling series of some 270 specially posed photographs, the authors recreate the fighting men of the High Middle Ages set in their 15th century environment. Noblemen and armoured knights, officers and halbardiers, artillery and handgunners, archers and crossbowmen, ladies and camp-followers are placed in realistic outdoor settings and historic interiors in Britain and continental Europe.
About the Author
Gerry Embleton discovered a passion for the medieval period after moving to Switzerland in the early 1980's. He founded his company Time Machine in 1988, designing, creating and clothing life-size model historical figures for museums in several countries. He has pursued his medieval research through a Swiss-based "living history" group, whose high standards of authenticity have been endorsed by continental museums and heritage sites. Resident - Switzerland John Howe studied at the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, France. He is a respected freelance illustrator, and has published a wide range of historical and fantasy work on both sides of the Atlantic. Resident - Switzerland
17/12/2009
Excellent Book for XVth Cent. Military Re-Enactors!
While it may be true that this is not the "end all be all" of books on the subject, it comes pretty close!
The most obvious strength of the book are the clear, sharp, full colour photographs of the author's re-enactment company, showing the group in all of their meticulously recreated kit. Everything from clothing and belt pouches to arms and armour are featured, sometimes even in detailed closeups. There is nothing bad to say about the book - the quality and content are absolutely top notch.
Of course, serious reenactors should not rely solely upon this. One has to augment with detailed original sources, such as museum catalogues with details of the original artifacts, period art, and so forth. Nevertheless, given that there is a wealth of surviving material from the period (as opposed to, say, the Iron Age) and the author is a leading authority on the subject and reenactor himself, it is doubtful that anything within the covers is seriously off base.
If you are doing XVth Cent. reenactment with military aspects of any kind, you really do need this book. Rest assured it will be an indispensible part of your library. I refer constantly to my copy, if only for inspiration. At the prices this is currently being offered at, this is an absolute bargain.
12/10/1999
Very good, but not definitive
While I think the Company of Saynte George has done a great job and certainly has pictured a good amount of their work, I do not recommend that those of ou reading this book take this as a definitive guide on how to be a medieval soldier or think that these photos are perfect; Embleton himself has said that some things in the book are just not right. While the book is very good, if you intend to do any reenactment of the time period, continue doing research for yourself and do not stop with this one book.
29/08/1998
The zenith of living history recreation, documented.
The Medieval Soldier should be the beginning and end document for any recreationist of the fifteenth century. The level and accuracy of the photographed Company of Saint George living history group is the highest anywhere. The effort to which they have gone to make their work just right is astounding to anyone with an interest in living history, or even simply in seeing a past culture visible in print & photographs. Contained are many pieces of historical information, and picture after picture of immaculate plate armour, costume, and accoutrements made to be as exact as possible, and aesthetically pleasing, too. A must read for the historical recreation enthusiast.
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