European Medieval Tactics (2)

David Nicolle, born in 1944, worked in the BBC's 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 has written numerous books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare, and has been a prolific author of Osprey titles for many years.Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and the history of fortification. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.

• IntroductionBackground – the experience gained from defeats at the hands of the 13th-century Mongol invasions, and of Muslim armies in the Middle EastDevelopment of infantry weapons and tactics as result of meeting these basically light cavalry enemies. (e.g. Tagliacozzo, 1268; Falkirk, 1298; Courtrai, 1302)The decline of lance and the rise of close-quarter cavalry weapons – confusion of tactics (e.g. Najera, 1367; Aljubarotte, 1385; Castagnaro, 1387)Crossbow and longbow – reasons for divergence between mainland European and English armies – how each type worked alongside cavalry and dismounted men-at-arms (e.g. Crecy, 1346; Agincourt, 1415)‘Blip’ in rise of infantry dominance as heavier cavalry armour becomes arrow-proof (e.g. San Romano, 1432)Decline of archery in favour of combined-arms infantry armies – bows subsidiary to massed pikes and halberds (e.g. Grandson, 1476)Increasing importance of field artillery (e.g. Castillon, 1453) and hand-held firearms (e.g. Cerignola, 1503)Plate commentary Bibliography Index