Weapons That Made Britain (2004– ) User Reviews

Fight director looks at weapons and armor in practical terms

[x35y6 · 10/10 · 16 December 2004]

This is a series of shows dealing with weapons and armor as they relate to the history of Britain. Mike Loades presents the practical and technical issues related to the design and developments of various items. The episodes "The Sword", "The Bow", "The Lance", "The Shield", and "Armor" were presented on the History Channel on 12/16/04. No future dates have been indicated.

Mr Loades is a convincing presenter, and he tends to discuss issues that raise interesting points. Using historical records and moderns recreations, his presentations will interest both casual viewers and those more versed in these topics.

Fantastic! I wish i could buy it!

[ur_fuct2000 · 10/10 · 4 April 2005]

What an awesome series. Mike Loades is crazy: falling off horseback in armor, fighting 2 on one and really wailing on each other. The history brought to present is absolutely fascinating. He covers how British military efforts constantly escalated with French technology. Seeing how the french calvary's armor eventually was made to deflect the longbow was amazing.

I'm just glad wars are not fought like that anymore.

I'd watch anything this guy produces.

If anyone knows if this series is coming on in 2005 or is on sale somewhere, please let me know. it'd be worth it as a purchase.

A Must See for the Medieval Enthusiast

[hypernode1 · 31 January 2006]

Fight Coordinator/Weapons Trainer Mike Loades presents a mini-series that carefully examines the developments in Medieval warfare and how they were applied in Britain. Swords, bows, lances, shields and armor are all examined in turn. Loades typically takes a group of novices and trains them in the handling and tactical use of these weapons. In addition he discuses these items within the context of historical events. Fans of action/fantasy cinema should watch this series as it makes clear just how brutal and tiring Medieval warfare was. Just like hockey players these warriors would have had to work in shifts. Medieval Warfare would appear to be anaerobic in nature. It should also dispel another myth, that the European knights and foot soldiers were crudely and less rigorously trained, less skilled than their Asian cousins. My criticisms of the mini-series are two-fold. Firstly, Loades does perpetuate the "longbow" myth propagated by Victorian England. My readings have suggested to me that there was no such thing as the "longbow" per se. There were other bows in use on the European Continent of more sophisticated, composite design and significantly more powerful than the so-called "longbow". (not including the much maligned crossbow) English archery was effective because Edward I began employing his archers much like the Welsh did, in much large numbers for a shock of arrows - almost like artillery. My second complaint is that five episodes is just not enough. I want more! Ah well... too much of a good thing perhaps. I plan to teach history in High School and I will definitely use this series as a resource.