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How swords lost their shine in the 1600s and more sword history with Kristen Neuschel

Check out this book here   https://amzn.to/36Ysunu

Interview Timeline

Kristen Neuschel has studied and taught cultural history for years and has recently [published] written a book on the cultural history of swords in Britain and France from 600 to 1600. We spoke about the book, Living By The Sword, about knights and European wars and other aspects of European history. Living By The Sword (Cornell University Press, 2020)

0:43 – Kristen explains why she studied swords from 600 to 1600.

1:48 – Kristen explains why she focused on France and Britain.

2:39 – Kristen tells how the book is laid out and what she started with 600 and the importance of swords then.

4:49 – Kristen talks about the mythologizing of swords.

5:55 – Kristen talks about usable swords versus symbolic swords.

6:53 – Kristen talks about where the swords were produced.

9:19 – Kristen talks about where older swords have been found.

9:52 – Kristen talks about where the big changes in swords occurred in these periods and she also talks about armor.

13:03 – Kristen talks about the make up of swords

15:19 – Kristen talks about the pre-eminence of weapons in the 14th century.

(15:36 – Note: I meant to say the fourteenth century.)

18:06 – Kristen talks about the religious significance of swords.

21:03 – Kristen talks about the cross-like shape of the sword.

21:47 – Kristen talks about the internal divisions within France and Britain. She also talks about the changing symbolism of swords starting in 1330.

26:15 – Kristen talks about elite status and swords and sword fighting.

30:54 – Kristen talks about swords with interesting stories.

32:56 – Kristen talks about sword names and the records on swords.

35:10 – Kristen talks about differences between Britain and France.

36:51 – Kristen talks about church records about swords.

39:17 – Kristen talks about why she stopped at 1600 and gunpowder.

41:10 – Kristen talks about swords from other parts of Europe and the world.

44:04 – Kristen talks about holiday gifts of swords or weapons.

45:20 – Kristen talks about how much she loves household inventories.

48:56 – Kristen talks about the supposed sword of Charlemagne.

50:27 – Kristen talks about the monarchs most in love with swords.

55:29 – Kristen talks about merchant centers and their record keeping.

1:05:37 – Kristen can be found at Kristenneuschel.com

Links of interest

https://amzn.to/36Ysunu

https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501752124/living-by-the-sword/

http://www.kristenneuschel.com/

Contact Information

For more “Military History Inside Out” please follow me at www.warscholar.org, on Facebook at warscholar, on twitter at Warscholar, on youtube at warscholar1945 and on Instagram @crisalvarezwarscholar. Or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify Please see historyrabbithole.com for a list of my dozen or so blogs and podcasts. You’re sure to find something you like.

Guests: Kristen Neuschel

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: Books, audio interviews, author, academic, podcast, Cornell University Press, Renaissance warfare, Medieval warfare,

Check out this book here   https://amzn.to/36Ysunu

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