Medieval Scandinavian Armies (1)

David Nicolle worked in the BBC Arabic service for a number of years, before gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a doctorate from Edinburgh University. He later taught world and Islamic art and architectural history at Yarmuk University, Jordan. He has written many books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare and has written many Osprey titles. David lives and works in Leicestershire, UK. Angus McBride is one of the world's most respected historical illustrators, and has contributed to more than 70 Osprey titles in the past three decades. Born in 1931 of Highland parents but orphaned as a child, he was educated at Canterbury Cathedral Choir School. He worked in advertising agencies from 1947, and after national service, emigrated to South Africa. He now lives and works in Cape Town.

• Introduction - Chronology of major events - The passing of the Viking age - Denmark: German influence - the feudal system - the nobility, and heavy cavalry - Norway: trading centre but military backwater - Sweden: armies of the early Baltic campaigns - relations between the classes - Armour, weapons and tactics: the importance of the crossbow - Finland: a tribal frontier