Scot Hurst is Assistant Curator of Arms and Armour at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
After completing his degree in History (BA Hons, Sheffield Hallam University 2006 - 2009) Scot began his museum career in 2010 with English Heritage, before joining the Royal Armouries Education Department in 2013. In 2015 a new opportunity presented itself, to work more closely with the National Firearms Centre as a civilian instructor on the Combat Infantry Course, in association with Infantry Training Centre Catterick Garrison. Scot worked on the development and delivery of the ‘Realities of War’ programme providing courses on the history of the British Infantry, the history and development of firearms as well as current enemy and allied weapon systems.
In November 2017, Scot joined the Royal Armouries curatorial team as Assistant Curator of Arms and Armour. Since joining, he has been involved in several ongoing museum projects, such as organising the Weapons in Society conference in September 2019 and June 2021 and co-curating the Tudor Power and Glory exhibition to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Field of Cloth of Gold in 2020. In February 2021, Scot was invited to join the Arms and Armour Society council, holding the post of Digital Engagement Manager until 2023. From 2023 Scot has been heavily involved providing training to delegates from the CPS, NPCC and various Police forces on the subject of knife crime and the Offensive Weapons Act. Scot has also contributed to Government consultations on the subject of knife crime and amendments to the OWA and continues to assist CPS and Police colleagues in the identification of edged weapons.
Scot’s main areas of interest focus on medieval daggers and knives, having spent the last few years researching a significant group within the Royal Armouries collection. In November 2021, he delivered a paper on Thames River daggers at the ICOMAM conference in Toledo and in July 2024 delivered a paper on a rare Swiss baselard at the Leeds International Medieval Congress. Other areas of research include 20th and 21st century body armours.
Print Publications
- S. Hurst, ‘Entering the (Gift) Lists,’ The Field (November, 2024)
- S. Hurst, ‘A baselard by any other name? A Swiss short sword in the Royal Armouries’ collection,’ Arms & Armour, Vol 21. No.2 (September, 2024)
- S. Hurst, ‘The Heart of the Highlander,’ The Field (August, 2024)
- S. Hurst, ‘An 18th Century Bayonet from the Arsenal of Tipu Sultan,’ The Field (April, 2022)
- S. Hurst, ‘An 18th Century Painted Toradar,’ The Field (March, 2022)
- S. Hurst (contributor) In Impey, E. (ed), Treasures of the Royal Armouries: A Panoply of Arms (Royal Armouries, 2022) available to buy from our online shop.
- K. Dowen and S. Hurst, Tudor Power and Glory: Henry VIII and the Field of Cloth of Gold (Royal Armouries, 2020) available to buy from our online shop.
- S. Hurst, ‘A Hounslow Hunting Hanger,’ The Field (March, 2019)
- S. Hurst, ‘An Indian Sporting Plug Bayonet,’ The Field, (January, 2019)
- S. Hurst, ‘The Prince of Wales’ Shakespear Knife,’ The Field (July, 2018)
- S. Hurst, ‘How to Read European Armor by Donald J. LaRocca,’ Arms & Armour, Vol 15. No.2 (November 2018) available here.