Battles of the Medieval World introduces twenty key battles from Europe and the Near East in an age when traditional chivalric codes gave way to increased professionalism in armies. Beginning in 1066 with the battle of Hastings, where William of Normandy's cavalry successfully defeated Harold's Saxon forces, and finishing with the siege and capture of Constantinople in 1453 by Sultan Mehmed II's Turkish army, examples of every type of Medieval warfare are featured.
The battles include massed cavalry encounters, such as Bouvines in 1214 and Leignitz in 1241, the employment of the devastatingly effective longbow at Crécy in 1346 and Agincourt in1415, the successful Venetian-Crusader amphibious assault in 1204 on Constantinople, and sea battles at Malta (1283) and Sluys (1340). Colourful accounts of lesser-known encounters are also included, such as Saladin's destruction of a Crusader army at Hattin (1187), the siege of Chateau Gaillard (1203-4), and the victory of the lowly Hussites over their overlords at Vitkov, near Prague (1420), where both wagons and gunpowder were employed to great effect.
Each battle includes an introduction to the background, a concise description of the action, and an analysis of the aftermath. A specially commissioned colour map illustrating the dispositions and movement of forces brings the subject to life and helps the reader to grasp the development of the battle at a glance. Included are more than 200 colour and black and white maps, and artworks and photographs illustrating the battles, leading players, and tactics of the era, making Battles of the Medieval World a useful and accessible introduction to some key battles of the time. Designed for both the general reader and enthusiast, the book is an essential companion for anyone interested in the battles and tactics of the Medieval age.
Muu info
Illustrated history of 20 key battles with detailed battle maps
Introduction by Kelly DeVries
Hastings, 1066
Legnano, 1176
Hattin, 1187
Arsuf, 1191
Chateau Gaillard, 1204
Constantinople, 1203
Bouvines, 1214
Leignitz, 1241
Lake Peipus, 1242
Malta, 1283
Bannockburn, 1314
Sluys, 1340
Crecy, 1346
Najera, 1367
Nicopolis, 1396
Tannenberg, 1410
Agincourt, 1415
Vitkov, 1420
Constantinople, 1453
Brunkeberg, 1471
Bibliography
Index
Kelly DeVries is professor of history at Loyola University Maryland. He is the author of several books, including Medieval Military Technology, Infantry Warfare in the Early Fourteenth Century, Joan of Arc: A Military Leader and Guns and Men in Medieval Europe. Martin J. Dougherty is the author of Ireland: The Emerald Isle, Greek Myths and Celts, among many other titles. A former defence consultant, he has written numerous books on history and military history, including Vikings: A History of the Norse People, The Wars of the Roses, King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, and Kings & Queens of the Medieval World. Iain Dickie's interest in military matters was first inspired by pictures of Roman artillery at the age of 12. He has been a committee member of the Society of Ancients, the editor of Army & Navy Modelworld, Military Hobbies and Miniature Wargames magazine, and has contributed to Battles of the Ancient World and Battles of the Medieval World. Phyllis G. Jestice is professor of medieval European history at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. A devoted teacher, Jestice enjoys writing for both academic and popular audiences. She is the author of Queens, Pharaohs and The Medieval Knight, while her most recent monograph is Imperial Ladies of the Ottonian Dynasty: Women and Rule in Tenth-century Germany. Christer Jorgensen has a Ph.D from University College, London. An expert on military history, Jorgensen has published various books on the history of European warfare. Based in London, he has also contributed to Battles That Changed Warfare and Battles of the Crusades.
