Download or read book Medieval Handgonnes written by Sean McLachlan and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2011-01-01 with total page 171 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the early 14th century, a new weapon entered the arsenals of European armies. This first generation of black powder weapons put fear into the heart of the enemy and in 1453 Ottoman cannon succeeded in pummelling the once-impregnable walls of Constantinople. But cannons, which are both slow and cumbersome, were difficult to use and often proved inaccurate. The first handgonnes were the answer. Easily dismissed by later historians as nothing more than crude tubes that shot wildly inaccurate lead balls, more recent research has revealed the true accuracy of the medieval handgonne together with its penetrative power. This volume, complete with detailed illustrations and colour photographs of reconstructed handgonnes, reveals the true history of what could easily have been the most revolutionary weapon in history.This book will be a must for medieval enthusiasts and re-enactors.

Download or read book The Cambridge History of War Volume 2 War and the Medieval World written by David A. Graff and published by Cambridge University Press. This book was released on 2020-10-01 with total page 865 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volume II of The Cambridge History of War covers what in Europe is commonly called 'the Middle Ages'. It includes all of the well-known themes of European warfare, from the migrations of the Germanic peoples and the Vikings through the Reconquista, the Crusades and the age of chivalry, to the development of state-controlled gunpowder-wielding armies and the urban militias of the later middle ages; yet its scope is world-wide, ranging across Eurasia and the Americas to trace the interregional connections formed by the great Arab conquests and the expansion of Islam, the migrations of horse nomads such as the Avars and the Turks, the formation of the vast Mongol Empire, and the spread of new technologies – including gunpowder and the earliest firearms – by land and sea.

Download or read book Bosworth 1485 written by Glenn Foard and published by Oxbow Books. This book was released on 2013-08-22 with total page 240 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Bosworth stands alongside Naseby and Hastings as one of the three most iconic battles ever fought on English soil. The action on 22 August 1485 brought to an end the dynastic struggle known as the Wars of the Roses and heralded the dawn of the Tudor dynasty. However, Bosworth was also the most famous lost battlefield in England. Between 2005 and 2010, the techniques of battlefield archaeology were used in a major research programme to locate the site. Bosworth 1485: a battlefield rediscovered is the result. Using data from historical documents, landscape archaeology, metal detecting survey, ballistics and scientific analysis, the volume explores each aspect of the investigation – from the size of the armies, their weaponry, and the battlefield terrain to exciting new evidence of the early use of artillery – in order to identify where and how the fighting took place. Bosworth 1485 provides a fascinating and intricately researched new perspective on the event which, perhaps more than any other, marked the transition between medieval and early modern England.

Download or read book Reading the Middle Ages written by Barbara H. Rosenwein and published by University of Toronto Press. This book was released on 2018-01-01 with total page 560 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Reading the Middle Ages is well-known for providing thematic and geographical diversity, clear and informative introductions, and close integration with A Short History of the Middle Ages.

Download or read book Reading the Middle Ages Volume II written by Barbara H. Rosenwein and published by University of Toronto Press. This book was released on 2018-05-03 with total page 385 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The third edition of Reading the Middle Ages retains the strengths of previous editions—thematic and geographical diversity, clear and informative introductions, and close integration with A Short History of the Middle Ages—and adds significant new materials, especially on the Byzantine and Islamic worlds and the Mediterranean region. This volume spans the period c.900 to c.1500. The stunning "Reading through Looking" color insert, which showcases medieval artifacts, has been expanded to include essays on weapons and warfare by medievalist Riccardo Cristiani. New maps, timelines, and genealogies aid readers in following knotty but revealing sources. On the History Matters website (www.utphistorymatters.com), students have access to hundreds of Questions for Reflection.

Download or read book Reading the Middle Ages Volume I written by Barbara H. Rosenwein and published by University of Toronto Press. This book was released on 2018-05-03 with total page 341 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The third edition of Reading the Middle Ages retains the strengths of previous editions—thematic and geographical diversity, clear and informative introductions, and close integration with A Short History of the Middle Ages—and adds significant new materials, especially on the Byzantine and Islamic worlds and the Mediterranean region. This volume spans the period c.300 to c.1150. The stunning "Reading through Looking" color insert, which showcases medieval artifacts, has been expanded to include essays on weapons and warfare by medievalist Riccardo Cristiani. New maps, timelines, and genealogies aid readers in following knotty but revealing sources. On the History Matters website (www.utphistorymatters.com), students have access to hundreds of Questions for Reflection.

Download or read book Ghost Galleon written by Edward Von der Porten and published by Texas A&M University Press. This book was released on 2019-10-03 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Ghost Galleon tells the story of archaeologists’ twenty-year search on a desolate beach in Baja California for the enigmatic remains of a Spanish galleon that disappeared without a trace more than four centuries ago. Carrying a cargo of Asian riches to the New World, Manila galleons forged the final link in the unification of the world through commerce by their annual voyages across the Pacific Ocean. Here, author Edward Von der Porten relates how a chance viewing of Chinese porcelain sherds in a museum catalog led him, his wife Saryl, and a team of researchers to the beachcombers who discovered the sherds. To Von der Porten, these sherds represented the possibility of something much more significant: one of the earliest known Manila galleon shipwrecks on the West Coast. In collaboration with the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico (INAH), Von der Porten and his colleagues undertook the first of many archaeological expeditions to investigate the site in 1999. Over twenty years, a team of American and Mexican archaeologists recovered thousands of artifacts and concluded that they had located the remains of the cargo from a Spanish galleon—most likely the San Juanillo of 1578. This copiously illustrated, highly accessible work offers an inside view of how archaeologists carefully assemble the evidence that allows scientific reconstruction of past events. Despite the grudging resistance of time, Von der Porten and his colleagues have resurrected the tale of the ill-fated San Juanillo to enrich our understanding and appreciation of the past.

Download or read book Eagle and Empire written by Alan Smale and published by Del Rey. This book was released on 2017-05-16 with total page 601 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The award-winning author of Clash of Eagles and Eagle in Exile concludes his masterly alternate-history saga of the Roman invasion of North America in this stunning novel. Roman Praetor Gaius Marcellinus came to North America as a conqueror, but after meeting with defeat at the hands of the city-state of Cahokia, he has had to forge a new destiny in this strange land. In the decade since his arrival, he has managed to broker an unstable peace between the invading Romans and a loose affiliation of Native American tribes known as the League. But invaders from the west will shatter that peace and plunge the continent into war: The Mongol Horde has arrived and they are taking no prisoners. As the Mongol cavalry advances across the Great Plains leaving destruction in its path, Marcellinus and his Cahokian friends must summon allies both great and small in preparation for a final showdown. Alliances will shift, foes will rise, and friends will fall as Alan Smale brings us ever closer to the dramatic final battle for the future of the North American continent. Praise for Eagle and Empire “Smale delivers in spades . . . the best of the trilogy. Highly recommended.”—Historical Novels Review “The pace . . . is breathless and the action relentless. . . . A satisfying culmination to the adventures of a Roman warrior in the New World.”—Kirkus Reviews “The final volume of Smale’s Clash of Eagles trilogy is relentless, with characters and readers hardly getting a breath before the next threat comes crashing down. . . . Smale’s hard-hitting and satisfying conclusion will be a must for his readers, as the trilogy will be for any fan of alternate history.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “[Eagle and Empire] had awesome worldbuilding, worthy and interesting characters, and a great plot. . . . Altogether, a very satisfying journey.”—The Nameless Zine

Download or read book Forces of the Hanseatic League written by David Nicolle and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2014-04-20 with total page 51 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Hanseatic League was a commercial and defensive federation of merchant guilds based in harbour towns along the North Sea and Baltic coasts of what are now Germany and her neighbours, which eventually dominated maritime trade in Northern Europe and spread its influence much further afield. The League was formed to protect the economic and political interests of member cities throughout a vast and complex trading network. The League continued to operate well into the 17th century, but its golden age was between c.1200 and c.1500; thereafter it failed to take full advantage of the wave of maritime exploration to the west, south and east of Europe. During its 300 years of dominance the League's large ships – called 'cogs' – were at the forefront of maritime technology, were early users of cannon, and were manned by strong fighting crews to defend them from pirates in both open-sea and river warfare. The home cities raised their own armies for mutual defence, and their riches both allowed them, and required them, to invest in fortifications and gunpowder weapons, since as very attractive targets they were subjected to sieges at various times.

Download or read book Richard III in the North written by M. J. Trow and published by Pen and Sword History. This book was released on 2020-12-28 with total page 298 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This enlightening biography examines the life and short reign of England’s most controversial king and his relationship to the region he loved. Was Richard III the world’s most wicked uncle, or is he merely the victim of historical slander? Forever associated with the murder of his nephews, he was the last king to die in battle, in 1485. His life was as spectacular as the discovery of his bones under a Leicester car park five centuries later—an event that revived age-old debates. This detailed look at Richard’s life focuses on the area that he loved and made his own. As Lord of the North, he had castles at Middleham and Sheriff Hutton, Penrith, and Sandal. He fought the Scots along the northern border and on their own territory. His son was born at Middleham and was invested as Prince of Wales at York Minster, where Richard planned to set up a college of 100 priests. His white boar device can be found in obscure corners of churches and castles; his laws gave rights to his loyal subjects north of the Trent. And when he felt threatened during the Wars of the Roses, it was to the men of the North that he turned for support and advice. M.J. Trow’s biography demonstrates that the North is the key to understanding this fascinating and complex king.

Download or read book Bosworth 1485 written by Christopher Gravett and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2021-02-18 with total page 97 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The battle of Bosworth was the culmination of the War of the Roses, the dynastic struggle between the houses of York and Lancaster that dominated England in the second half of the 15th century. Edward IV had secured the throne for the house of York, but his early death in 1483, followed by the death of his sons and the taking of the throne by his brother, Richard of York, saw a renewed outbreak of fighting. His reign began with a major rebellion and was dogged by rumours of his involvement in murder, with Richard facing threats not only from the lords he alienated but also the Lancastrian faction waiting in the wings. Henry Tudor eventually decided to take the huge risk of attempting to seize the throne and Richard's army marched to meet him, finally clashing near Market Bosworth. Guiding the reader from the campaign's origins to its aftermath, and covering the commanders and forces of King Richard III and Henry Tudor, this is a complete treatment of one of the most important events in English history. The story of Bosworth has been transformed in the 20th century as an extensive survey between 2005 and 2009 by the Battlefields Trust has pinpointed the location of the battlefield, for many years a source of debate and controversy, and this new history is based on that interpretation. It will also highlight the incredible discovery of Richard III's remains in Leicester, the study of the bones and relate this to what was previously thought to have happened to him at the end of the battle.

Download or read book The Battle of Moh cs 1526 written by and published by BRILL. This book was released on 2024-10-31 with total page 551 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The story of the battle of Mohács and of King Louis II’s dramatic escape, only to meet his end by falling from his horse and drowning in the stream of Csele, is well-known. These traumatic events have been seen as symbolizing the fall of the independent Hungarian Kingdom and the dawn of an age of oppression. This volume presents new research on these events and their interpretation, focusing on topics such as battlefield reconstruction, troop involvement, firearm use, and later political use and abuse of the memory of the battle. Contributors are Pál Fodor, Péter Gyenizse, Erika Hancz, Máté Kitanics, Sándor Konkoly, Dénes Lóczy, Tamás Morva, Norbert Pap, Júlia Papp, Gábor Szalai, and Gábor Varga.

Download or read book From Musket to Metallic Cartridge written by Oyvind Flatnes and published by Crowood. This book was released on 2013-11-30 with total page 803 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From Musket to Metallic Cartridge is an historical introduction to the use of black powder firearms, from the primitive smooth-bore musket to breech-loading cartridge guns, as well as a primer on their practical use for today's black powder shooters. Drawing on his experience of countless hours on the shooting range, backed up by meticulous research, Oyvind Flatnes relates over 500 years of development and covers the huge range of different ignition systems, models and patents. He describes the use of antique firearms and replicas, discussing their historical and safe modern use. The book is profusely illustrated throughout, with both photographs and diagrams, showing a range of guns and their ammunition, with some live firing shots showing them in action. Aimed at shooters, collectors and general gun and weapons enthusiasts, this book will inspire the reader to learn more about how firearms work, and to take them onto the range too. Superbly illustrated with 265 colour photographs and diagrams.

Download or read book 1453 a Tale of Two Battles written by Julian Reynolds and published by Xlibris Corporation. This book was released on 2021-10-13 with total page 378 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is the author’s second published by Xlibris, the first being Defending Rome: The Masters of the Soldiers, published in 2011. It explores the consequences of two battles fought in 1453 – the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in May and the French victory over the English two months later at Castillon in the last battle of the Hundred Years War. The book considers the impact of these events on a diverse range of topics, including military outcomes, strategic consequences, economic developments, and cultural and religious implications. It concludes by assessing the significance of these two battles in influencing the transition of Europe from the medieval to the modern age.

Download or read book Weapons of the Samurai written by Stephen Turnbull and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2021-06-24 with total page 81 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This fully illustrated new book describes and analyses the weapons and equipment traditionally associated with the samurai, Japan's superlative warriors. It examines the range of weapons used by them at different times and in different situations. Beginning with the rise of the samurai during the 10th century, this lively study traces the introduction of edged weapons (cutting and piercing) and missile weapons (bows and guns) over the next 500 years. The book shows clearly how they were employed by individual samurai using many previously untranslated primary texts, and explains how their use spread more widely among low-class troops, pirates and rebels. It also shows how schools of martial arts took over and changed the weapons and their uses during the peaceful Edo Period (1615–1868).

Download or read book The First Second Italian Wars 1494 1504 written by Julian Romane and published by Pen and Sword Military. This book was released on 2020-08-30 with total page 371 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A historical analysis of the course of military operations and political machinations in Italy at the turn of the sixteenth century. The First and Second Italian Wars begins with the French conquest of much of Italy. But the French hold collapsed. The second French invasion gained Northern Italy. This time, the French allied with the Pope’s son, Cesare Borgia. Cesare managed to double deal too many people; his efforts ended in disaster. The French agreement with the Spanish allowed them to retake Naples only to be defeated at the Garigliano by the famous general, Gonzalo de Cordoba. These wars were not just another series of medieval fights. These battles were different from what had gone before: the French utilized a new method of artillery transport; the Spanish commander formulated a new system of military unit organization, and Cesare Borgia sought different systems of raising troops and forming states. And all the powers managed to spend vast amounts of money the likes of which no one had imagined before. This was the emergence of the so-called Military Revolution. Praise for The First and Second Italian Wars 1494–1504 “An amazing account of medieval warfare between two of Europe’s principle nations.” —Books Monthly (UK) “This is a fascinating, detailed look at these crucial wars, placing the military campaigns in their political context—the world that inspired the writings of Machiavelli, and you can see where he got his inspiration from!” —History of War

Download or read book A History of War written by Chris McNab and published by Arcturus Publishing. This book was released on 2022-08-01 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A History of War explains the dark but compelling story of warfare, from its emergence in prehistoric tribal disputes, through great imperial and global wars, to present-day counterinsurgency and 'hybrid' conflicts. Two factors sit at the heart of this story: technology - including weapons, vehicle systems, vehicles and tactics. A History of War charts the rise of the army, explaining how primitive tribal war parties evolved through seasonal levies and feudal armies to professional standing armies and mass conscription forces, with formal organisational structures. The narrative of A History of War is sewn together by the conflicts that have periodically reshaped history and created the roots of current conflict, from the crusades and two world wars to Cold War and the conflicts in the Middle East. The book provides summaries and insights into these disputes while recognising the human drama of conflict, with first-hand insight into the experience of combat.