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 according to historical fencing masters. 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 an accurate picture of what medieval fighting looked like on the personal level.