This volume brings together papers written by curators, conservators and scientists who have worked very closely with European and Oriental arms and armor from some of the world's finest collections. The pieces, which have been examined in detail, include not only those made for royalty, such as the helmet of the Black Prince, the armors of King Henry VIII and the jewel-encrusted dagger of Shah Jahan, but also the apparently more mundane and those created to deceive. Through careful study and hands-on experience, each of the authors provides an eye-opening insight into the history, science and interpretation of these important objects. The essays in this title were written in honor of David Edge.