Sue Bond Public Relations

Paul Holberton Publishing, 89 Borough High Street, London, SE1 1NL, UNITED KINGDOM

Published in association with Paul Holberton publishing, London
www.paul-holberton.net
Distributed in the United States and Canada by Casemate Athena www.casemateathena.com

Since the early Bronze Age the sword has been a sign of wealth, status and the power of divine right. Yet, before the 16th century the sword was almost never carried on the person in daily life. It was a rare, noble weapon, carried into battle by the aristocratic warrior class but set aside in time of peace. However, the increasing prominence of the Renaissance middle classes brought a fundamental change to the sword's place in society. Now large numbers of non-noble but often wealthy and upwardly mobile people could also afford fine clothes, jewellery and weapons.

264 pages, paperback, 300 x 245 mm, 200 colour illustrations
ISBN 978 0 900785 43 6, Price £40, $60