Ships and Swords!

[thegingerdances]

Because I'm a nerd, I want to do some mondo research projects this summer.  I want to look into naval technology and combat weapons, either across cultures in the Middle Ages or over time in one area.  I will most likely look at naval tech and ships cross-culturally (Europe, Asia, the Middle East) and combat weapons in Germany (Antiquity to Early Modernity).  

 

Here's the trouble: I can't find any books.  I don't know if I'm using the wrong search queries or if all the university libraries through which I searched just don't have books on the subject.  I'd love some recommendations!  Books on combat weapons, battle strategies, ships, technologies, navigation--anything.  Thanks for your help!

[maegs]

Most of the courses I took in uni focused a bit later time-wise, but books tended to focus more on land warfare than sea warfare. I'm assuming you know how to search a library catalogue, but have you used something very general like 'naval history' to get started? I looked at a couple libraries and that turned up books & journals - from there it would be a matter of narrowing it down to more specific topic/times. Also, if you have access to a database of journals like JSTOR (generally university students and alumni can get access to databases through their university library) that should turn up some results.

[thegingerdances]

Most of the courses I took in uni focused a bit later time-wise, but books tended to focus more on land warfare than sea warfare. I'm assuming you know how to search a library catalogue, but have you used something very general like 'naval history' to get started? I looked at a couple libraries and that turned up books & journals - from there it would be a matter of narrowing it down to more specific topic/times. Also, if you have access to a database of journals like JSTOR (generally university students and alumni can get access to databases through their university library) that should turn up some results.

Thanks, Maegs.  I've been searching through library catalogs and JSTOR with few results--and as general as I can go before I get to "world history."  I can find a ton about the u-boat and WWII boats, but no one is so interested in the Middle Ages.  

 

Thanks for your help!  I'll keep searching.

[jfreaksho]

I don't know where you're from, but you should find a maritime museum. If they don't have anything, they should at least be able to recommend something more specific.

The Brits ruled the seas for a long time, and there are a lot of ship's logs and other accounts from other European countries expeditions, all the way back to pre-Columbus days.

The book 1421 has a lot on maps, but he also talks a bit about navigation and ship technology from the Mediterranean, Europe, and Asia, and comparisons of the technology in the early 1400's.

[Retxab]

I can't personally recommend any of these as I haven't read them, but a search on Google Books for "Middle Ages Naval Warfare" brings up a bunch of books. Might give you a starting point, at least.

[notanartmajor]

For melee weapons and techniques, you could browse through Wiktenauer. It has tons of collected information about medieval combat and transcripts of the manuals the information is pulled from. Hope that helps!

[thegingerdances]

Sweet, thanks!  I can't wait to get started.

[maegs]

Thanks, Maegs.  I've been searching through library catalogs and JSTOR with few results--and as general as I can go before I get to "world history."  I can find a ton about the u-boat and WWII boats, but no one is so interested in the Middle Ages.  

 

Thanks for your help!  I'll keep searching.

I didn't think I was that useful I didn't narrow it down much when I checked those catalogues, but I have noticed that in a lot of areas there's a lot more focus on the 19th century onwards. Kinda sucks. Wiktenauer and that book 1421 sound interesting though, I think I'll have to check them out, & hopefully they help with your research!