Fighting Techniques Of The Medieval World: Equipment, combat skills and tactics - Hardcover

M. Bennett; J. Bradbury; K. DeVries; I. Dickie; P. Jestice

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1906626626 ISBN 13: 9781906626624

Publisher: Amber Books Ltd, 2009

Synopsis

Describes the fighting methods of soldiers in Europe and the Near East in an age before the widespread use of gunpowder This informative book describes the fighting techniques of soldiers in what has been characterised as the 'age of chivalry' and it shows in detail the methods by which armies gained and lost ascendancy on the battlefield. Examined firstly are the individual components of the medieval army, the foot soldier and the mounted soldier and the equipment they wore and used and how they fought together as a unit. Certain types of unit are described - like Welsh longbowmen and Italian mercenaries - and why they were more effective than others, such as the French armoured knights at Agincourt. The third section discusses how these units were used together on the battlefield and the importance of a general correctly disposing his troops before the battle began - key battles such as Lincoln, Bannockburn and Crecy are examined - and also the contrasting tactics of both sides during crusades and the various shortcomings of the crusaders and their leaders. The fourth part looks at the specialist techniques and equipment developed for siege warfare - a common event in this era of fortification. The last section covers naval warfare, from the ships in which the men fought to the weapons they carried and the major battles of the period including the battle of Meloria in the Mediterranean. Using specially commissioned artwork to illustrate the battles, equipment, and tactics of the era, Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World shows in detail the ways in which armies prevailed over their foes. It is an essential book for any reader interested in the realities and means of medieval warfare.

About this title

Product Description

Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World describes the fighting techniques of soldiers in what has been characterised as the 'age of chivalry' and it shows in detail the methods by which armies gained and lost ascendancy on the battlefield. Examined firstly are the individual components of the medieval army, the foot soldier and the mounted soldier and the equipment they wore and used and how they fought together as a unit. Certain types of unit are described - like Welsh longbowmen and Italian mercenaries - and why they were more effective than others, such as the French armoured knights at Agincourt. The third section discusses how these units were used together on the battlefield and the importance of a general correctly disposing his troops before the battle began - key battles such as Lincoln, Bannockburn and Crecy are examined - and also the contrasting tactics of both sides during crusades and the various shortcomings of the crusaders and their leaders. The fourth part looks at the specialist techniques and equipment developed for siege warfare - a common event in this era of fortification. The last section covers naval warfare, from the ships in which the men fought to the weapons they carried and the major battles of the period including the battle of Meloria in the Mediterranean. Using specially commissioned artwork to illustrate the battles, equipment, and tactics of the era, Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World shows in detail the ways in which armies prevailed over their foes. It is an essential book for any reader interested in the realities and means of medieval warfare.

About the Author

Matthew Bennett MA, FSA, FRHistS, has been a senior lecturer at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since 1984. He is the co-author of the Cambridge Atlas of Warfare: The Middle Ages 768-1487. He has also published many academic articles on chivalric and crusader warfare. Kelly DeVries is Professor, Department of History, Loyola College in Maryland. He is the author of many books on the period including Infantry Warfare in the Early Fourteenth Century: Discipline, Tactics, and Technology, Joan of Arc: A Military Leader, Medieval Military Technology and The Norwegian Invasion of England in 1066. Iain Dickie is the editor of Miniature Wargames, a UK professional magazine. He has a particular interest in the medieval period and has written and contributed to a number of articles and wargames rules. Jim Bradbury is the author of several books on medieval history including the Medieval Siege, The Routledge Companion to Medieval Warfare and The Medieval Archer. He also lectures on the subject of siege warfare. Phyllis Jestice is Associate Professor at the University of Southern Mississippi specialising in medieval/early modern Europe and Church history. She contributed the naval chapter to Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World: 3000BC to 500AD.

About this edition

• Publisher: Amber Books Ltd
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1906626626
• ISBN 13: 9781906626624
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 256