Overview

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.

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9781802704471

Table of Contents

Reviews

As with so much of his work, France is keen to demonstrate how closely the armies of this era reflect – in their composition, competence, objectives, etc. – the societies from which they were raised. He also comments on the impact of crusading upon French monarchical warfare, observing strikingly that it had very little effect. Overall, this is a fascinating and very readable book which demonstrates a very strong command of the primary sources for this era. -- Nicholas Morton * Medium Ævum 93, no. 1 (2024): 197-98 *

Author Information

John France works on the history of warfare and crusading. His work has been funded by the British Academy, the Leverhulme Trust, and the Lawrence of Arabia Trust. He has undertaken field work in Italy, France, Syria, Jordan, Israel, and Lebanon. He is author of numerous books including Perilous Glory: The Rise of Western Military Power (2011); The Crusades and the Expansion of Catholic Christendom 1000–1714 (2005); Western Warfare in the Age of the Crusades 1000–1300 (1999); Victory in the East: A Military History of the First Crusade (1994).

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