The analogy between the medieval and corporate world has been a theme in Jeff de Boer’s work, drawing a comparison between a suit of armour and a business suit, a briefcase and a sword. De Boer writes: “…there was no difference between something like a great historical battle, such as the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and a modern corporate take-over. The players are the same and the emotions are the same. There was no difference between an office tower and a keep; they served the same function. A little research into the history of the business suit revealed that it had its origin in the arming doublets that were worn under armour or even as armour. The cut and line of a modern suit would still work as padding for the tassels that hung from a breast plate. And what of the handshake, and words like freelance or blackmail? Yes, all the traditions that we mindlessly take for granted have their origins in the world and code of the warrior class.”
