Medieval France at War: A Military History of the French Monarchy, 8851305 (War and Conflict in Premodern Societies)

The purpose of this book is to provide an overarching analysis of the French military in the medieval period. Inevitably this will involve some definition of 'French', which has meant different things at different times. The focus will be on the armies of the French monarchy and the lands close around them, extending from the Low Countries to Provence. Central themes will be recruitment and 'pay' (in the widest sense), military organisation, leadership, strategy and tactics, and weapons and arms. This will embrace chivalry and military culture and the rise of military professionalism. The result will be a comprehensive analysis of the French military in the medieval period. Medieval France 10.1515_9781802700664 CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PREFACE INTRODUCTION Chapter 1 TECHNOLOGY AND WARFARE Chapter 2 THE EMERGENCE OF FRANCE Chapter 3 FRENCH MONARCHICAL POWER IN CONTEXT Chapter 4 WARFARE IN FRANCE TO 1066 Chapter 5 A CLASH OF DYNASTIES 1066– 1180 Chapter 6 PHILIP II AND THE RISE OF FRANCE Chapter 7 THE EXPANSION OF FRANCE Chapter 8 LOUIS IX AND THE APOGEE OF FRENCH POWER Chapter 9 THE PROBLEMS OF POWER Chapter 10 PERSPECTIVES ON THE ARMY OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE BIBLIOGRAPHY Appendix A NOTE ON SOURCES INDEX This book provides an overarching, comprehensive analysis of the French military in the medieval period. The focus is on the armies of the French monarchy and the lands close around them, extending from the Low Countries to Provence. Central themes include recruitment and payment; military organisation; leadership, strategy, and tactics; weapons and arms; chivalry, military culture, and the rise of military professionalism. An overarching, comprehensive analysis of the French military in the medieval period, focusing on the armies of the French monarchy and the lands close around them, and extending from the Low Countries to Provence