The art of warfare in Western Europe during the Middle Ages
Subtitle: from the eighth century to 1340
By: J.F. Verbruggen ; translated by Sumner Willard and Mrs. R.W. Southern.
Edition: 2nd ed., rev. and enl.
Series: Warfare in history,
Publisher: Boydell Press
Published: 1997
Place of publication: Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK; Rochester, NY, USA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 388
Subjects: Military art and science -- History -- Medieval, 500-1500.; Military history, Medieval.; Europe -- History, Military.
Description: "Warfare is a major feature of the history of the middle ages, but its study has often been the province of amateurs; only recently have the technical details of warfare and its organisation been subject to proper scholarly investigation. Professor Verbruggen's major work, outstanding in its field, applies rigorous standards in analysing often very obscure surviving evidence, and reaches conclusions very different from earlier generations of military historians." "He begins by analysing the sources for our knowledge of the military history of the period, assessing their reliability: some chroniclers exaggerate, others are careful observers or have access to official records. There follows an examination of the constituent parts of the medieval army, knights and footsoldiers, equipment and terms of service, behaviour on the field, and psychology, before the problematic question of medieval tactics is addressed through analysis of accounts of a series of major battles. Strategy is discussed in the context of these battles: whether to seek battle, fight a defensive war, or attempt a war of conquest."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [351]-368) and index.
Rev. and enl. English translated ed. of: De krijgskunst in West-Europa in de Middeleeuwen, IXe tot begin XIVe eeuw published in 1954.