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An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology part 100

An Encyclopedia of the History of Technology part 100. This one of a kind encyclopedia presents the entire field of technology from rudimentary agricultural tools to communication satellites in this first of its kind reference source. Following an introduction that discusses basic tools, devices, and mechanisms, the chapters are grouped into five parts that provide detailed information on materials, power and engineering, transportation, communication and calculation, and technology and society, revealing how different technologies have together evolved to produce enormous changes in the course of history | PART FIVE TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY accurate and lethal throwing weapon as well as being used in close combat. Not until towards the end of the sixth century did the wealthier of the Franks begin to equip themselves with armour and they really came into prominence with Charles Martel s victory over the Arabs at Tours in 732. Under his grandson Charlemagne Frankish military power reached its zenith. By now like the Byzantine army the core was the heavy cavalry armed and protected in much the same way. The weakness lay in their relative indiscipline and after the death of Charlemagne Frankish might withered away. During the ninth and tenth centuries western Europe was also ravaged by the Vikings from Scandinavia. The main Viking weapons were the heavy battleaxe and the sword. Their sword blades were formed by twisting together strips of steel and iron and heating the resultant plait and beating it flat. The different ways in which the two metals reacted to the process resulted in a distinctive decorative pattern being engrained in the blade. Viking shields were wooden and initially round but these gradually gave way to a long triangular shape with slightly convex top and sides. THE AGE OF CHIVALRY In western Europe the Normans took over from the Franks as the dominant military power and this marked the beginning of the golden age of the mounted knight. The Norman knight was equipped in much the same way as the Byzantine and Frankish heavy cavalryman but he was better protected in that he also had chain mail leggings. His helmet was of a distinctive conical shape with a nose piece and he carried the later Viking style of shield. His lance was normally 2.40-2.75m 8-9ft long and his two-edged sword was 1 12cm 44in in length. These would remain as such for 400 years. He also carried on his saddle a battleaxe or a mace. This differed from the primitive club in that instead of being entirely of wood it had a stone or metal head and it was this weapon which was to force the .