Throughout the 17th century, large parts of Europe were depopulated during wide-ranging and savage wars of religion and dynasty involving all of the major powers. These included the Dutch-Spanish wars of independence, The Thirty Years' War and the English Civil Wars. This was the key period in the development of 'modern' infantry tactics, incorporating the use of pole-arms and muskets together, hence the popular expression 'pike and shot'. Although cavalry participated in such conflicts, it was the infantry that was the decisive arm. Such infantry tactics involved different national schools on thought and practice, tested bloodily in great battles.
Keith Roberts is a respected expert in this field, who draws on extensive knowledge of original manuals of tactics to create a revealing study of the period. This volume will be both attractive to wargamers and worthy of serious academic attention.
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A careful examination of the development of infantry tactics from the late sixteenth to middle seventeenth century.
| Introduction |
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4 | (3) |
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The Contemporary General's Perspective |
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7 | (19) |
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Campaign preparations and rehearsal |
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The decisive battle-Dutch caution and Swedish aggressiveness |
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The German doctrine-multiple battle lines-field artillery-terrain |
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The infantry confrontation -command and control-broken-Country fighting |
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26 | (6) |
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Cavalry: Spanish and German-French Huguenot developments |
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32 | (11) |
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The Dutch battalion-the distinction between administrative and tactical organization-the Dutch company |
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Battle plans-the Dutch brigade |
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43 | (3) |
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Dissemination of Prince Maurice's reforms to belligerents, by veterans, instructors and translations |
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46 | (10) |
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The army of Gustavus Adolphus: unit organization-firing systems-cavalry and artillery |
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Swedish brigade deployment |
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The Swedish army in battle: Breitenfeld, 1631 |
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56 | (8) |
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Dutch, Swedish and German influences |
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Monk, Barriffe, Elton and Watts |
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Prince Rupert at Edgehill, 1642 |
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Marston Moor, Donnington and Naseby, 1644-45 |
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| Index |
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64 | |
Keith Roberts was born in 1955 and was educated at Highgate School. He graduated in History from Leicester University in 1977 and is currently employed by one of the major clearing banks. He is a military analyst and lecturer on the theory and practice of war in Europe and England between 1590 and 1660 and has published widely in this field.
Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and the history of fortification. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.
