British naval weapons have better introductions than naval armour

Where should a reader start on British naval weapons and armour?

Start with Norman Friedman, John Lambert, and Ian Ballantyne, but expect no single definitive book on British naval armour.

Norman Friedman's work on British naval weapons is the recommended starting point. John Lambert's studies and Ian Ballantyne's work on Warspite can add class- and ship-level detail. There is no equally convenient definitive book devoted to British naval armour. The reading list therefore identifies useful entry points as well as a gap that complicates further research.