Medieval warfare
Subtitle: triumph and domination in the wars of the middle ages
By: Peter Reid.
Edition: 1st Carroll & Graf ed.
Publisher: Carroll & Graf Publishers
Published: 2007
Place of publication: New York
Language: eng
Number of pages: 564
ISBN-13: 9780786718597
Subjects: Military art and science -- Great Britain -- History -- Medieval, 500-1500; Hundred Years' War, 1339-1453; Great Britain -- History, Military -- 1066-1485; Great Britain -- History -- Wars of the Roses, 1455-1485
Description: Examines the wars between England, Scotland, and France between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, focusing on the successes of the English army and discussing important campaigns and prominent figures. Great Britain's story is punctuated by the glorious battles at Bannockburn, Crecy and Agincourt, and Shakespearean heroes like Edward III, Henry V, and Hotspur. History remembers this as an age of chivalry interwoven with mythic feats of bravery. Yet this is a period of war when three nations struggled against each other over 200 years bringing England to the brink of Civil War. Many historians have tackled the questions of why the wars between England, Scotland and France between the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries occurred; few have had the expertise to explain how England came to dominate medieval warfare. Here the author, formerly the Major General of logistics for the British Army, uses his experience to recast how the small English forces were able to face down their enemies on so many fronts. Within the 116 years of conflict only a handful of battles were actually fought; instead the British army conducted a policy of raiding and sieges. Additionally, when two armies met, the famous English archers created havoc on the field, and battles were won or lost by hand to hand fighting. This work is revelatory about the role of war in creating Great Britain.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 533-549) and index.
Table of contents: title: Pt. 1. Background. The nation; title: Preparing for war; title: The army at war; title: The war at sea, the ships and their crews; title: pt. 2. The war in the north. The Bannockburn and Weardale campaigns; title: The Battle of Halidon Hill; title: The Battle of Neville's Cross and the capture of a king; title: pt. 3. The Hundred Years' War. The Crécy campaign; title: The Siege of Calais; title: The Battle of Poitiers and a king ransomed; title: The Rheims campaign and the prince in Spain; title: The tyrant and the usurper; title: The Agincourt campaign; title: The Conquest of Normandy; title: The rise of Bedford and Talbot; title: The two kings of France; title: The loss of Normandy and Aquitaine; title: pt. 4. The Wars of the Roses. Favouritism and patronage; title: The Battle of Towton; title: Edward flees and returns; title: The Battle of Bosworth Field; title: Postscript; title: Appendix: Short biographies of prominent names.