Medieval Warfare : Theory and Practice of War in Europe, 300-1500

Warfare in medieval times was never static or predictable - although there were ideals and conventions to follow, in the field commanders had to use their initiative and adapt to the needs of the moment. In this concise, wide-ranging study, Helen Nicholson provides the essential introductory guide to a fascinating subject. Medieval Warfare - surveys and summarises current debates and modern research into warfare throughout the whole of the medieval period across Europe - sets medieval warfare theory and practice firmly into context as a continuation and adaptation of practice under the Roman Empire, tracing its change and development across more than a millennium - considers military personnel, buildings and equipment, as well as the practice of warfare by land and sea

Helen Nicholson offers a masterly synthesis and summary of the present state of knowledge and debates on various aspects of warfare in medieval Catholic Europe between AD 300 and 1500. Nicholson provides a general overview of the subject, with greater detail on topics of particular interest. Individual chapters consider the theory of warfare, military personnel, buildings and equipment, as well as the practice of warfare by land and sea.

"Warfare in medieval times was never static or predictable - although there were ideals and conventions to follow, in the field commanders had to use their initiative and adapt to the needs of the moment. In this concise, wide-ranging study, Helen Nicholson provides the essential introductory guide to a fascinating subject."--BOOK JACKET for much of their knowledge of that period. Preachers and scholarly churchmen quoted from Vegetius and it is tempting to conclude from this that Vegetius's work was well known and used by the warrior nobility also, but this need not have been the case. Preface -- Chronolgy of main events -- Introduction Theory of warfare -- Military personnel -- Military buildings -- Military equipment -- Practice of land warfare -- Naval warfare ---- Conclusion, Notes, Further reading, Index. Helen Nicholson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.