Why The War Hammer Was A Mighty Weapon
The war hammer, as crude as it seems, was a practical solution to a late-medieval arms race between offense and defense. From the 14th century, steel plate armor spread amongst…
This Ornery Knight Inspired Shakespeare’s Falstaff
Even though it officially lasted 116 years, the Hundred Years War was really just part of a long-running rivalry over land, power and inheritance between England and France that one…
Why A Rabbit Appears On This Japanese Samurai Helmet
This Japanese kawari-kabuto, or individualized helmet, dating from the 17th century sports the shape of a crouching rabbit forged from a single piece of iron. The helmet’s ear guards are…