The Border Reiver era was not one long, untidy battle between England and Scotland. It was more...
Matt Tait
Matt is the founder of SevenSwords.uk and Geeks with Swords, a creative lifestyle brand built around passion, imagination, and the enduring fascination with blades, battles, and the stories we attach to them. His mission is to bring history alive, not as a dusty list of dates, but as a living thing full of artistry, symbolism, and human connection.
With a background that spans digital media, web strategy, and TV formats ranging from Question Time to Robot Wars, Matt’s real calling lies in turning his lifelong love of history and swords into something inspiring and accessible. To him, these weapons are more than tools of combat. They are expressions of culture, power, and myth. Whether it's a Viking blade, a Renaissance rapier, or a legendary cinematic prop, each sword tells a story, and Matt is here to share it.
Through engaging content, social media, and design,Seven Swords celebrates the crossover between learning and fun. It's for the curious, the nostalgic, and anyone who's ever imagined wielding something iconic. Matt’s vision encourages people to explore the past with fresh eyes, connect with creativity, and enjoy the ride.
He’s also won a NESTA Design & Innovation award and holds a gold medal from BBC’s Techno Games, but what really drives him is building a space where knowledge, humour, and passion collide.
The zhanmadao (斬馬刀) occupies a slightly awkward place in the history of Chinese weapons. Its name translates...
The Messer simply means “knife” in German, yet surviving examples can reach dimensions that make the description...
Joachim Meyer occupies a fascinating position in the history of European swordsmanship. Born around 1537 and dead...
The liuyedao (柳葉刀), usually translated as the “willow leaf sabre”, was one of the characteristic military swords...
The tachi is one of the most important swords in Japanese military history, yet it tends to...
Khopesh: History, Design and Collector’s Guide to the Egyptian Sickle-Sword Few weapons announce themselves quite as confidently...
Fiore dei Liberi is one of the most important figures in the history of European martial arts,...
The Crusades produced some of the most famous sieges and battles of the Middle Ages. Jerusalem, Antioch,...
The talwar, also frequently written tulwar, is the characteristic curved sword of the Indian subcontinent. It belongs...