Download or read book The Swiss at War 1300 1500 written by Douglas Miller and published by . This book was released on 1987 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The Swiss at War 1300 1500 written by Douglas Miller and published by Osprey Publishing. This book was released on 1979-11-08 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: During the 14th and 15th centuries military tactics in Europe underwent a period of sustained transformation of which the outcome was the rejuvenation of the footsoldier as the major tactical unit. One nation alone stands principally responsible for this development – the Swiss Confederation. For centuries the mounted knights had 'ridden roughshod over the populations of Europe'. It was in the Swiss halberdier and later the pikeman that the mounted men-at-arms were to meet their match. This absorbing text by Douglas Miller provides an account of rise of the Swiss army to its tactical zenith, beginning with the classic encounter at Morgarten.

Download or read book Armies of Medieval Burgundy 1364 1477 written by Nicholas Michael and published by Osprey Publishing. This book was released on 1983-11-24 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: King John the Good of France was captured by the English at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356; his 14-year-old son Philip fought valiantly by his side until the bitter end, and as soon as he was in a position to do so, King John rewarded his son's courage and devotion by designating him Duke of Burgundy, a title that by chance had just become extinct. Philip was the first of the Valois Dukes of Burgundy and this fascinating text by Nicholas Michael examines the functioning and organization of the Burgundian armies from the beginning of his reign until the time of the last of the Valois Dukes: Charles the Bold.

Download or read book The Reisl ufer written by Charles River and published by . This book was released on 2020-11-23 with total page 54 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: *Includes pictures *Includes a bibliography for further reading The Middle Ages witnessed almost constant warfare in Europe, so mercenaries were a constant on the battlefield, but the 15th century also saw the rise of mercenary usage by the increasingly wealthy aristocracy. At the time, England and France existed in smaller versions than in the modern age, while the Spanish had unified into a few large kingdoms and were slowly pushing the Moors off the Iberian Peninsula. Norway and Hungary were larger than they are now, but otherwise, most of Europe was a patchwork quilt of small, constantly warring states. This was especially true in Germany and Italy, where innumerable city-states and little fiefdoms struggled to gain more territory and defend themselves against their neighbors.Switzerland, ringed by the Alps, was divided into numerous small statelets called cantons, with some in the valleys and some further up in the mountains. There was a great deal of local infighting like elsewhere in Europe, but by the Late Middle Ages, unification seemed possible for a few reasons. Most notably, the Swiss felt threatened by larger outside states such as the Holy Roman Empire, France, and Milan, which were poised to take advantage of Swiss division and relative weakness to invade. The Holy Roman Empire was an especially great threat because it had some political claim over the Swiss cantons, although the Swiss had always enjoyed a great deal of independence from Hapsburg rule. Furthermore, some important trade routes ran through the region, and all the cantons would benefit if these routes were kept open and secure. In 1291, three cantons around Lake Lucerne-Schwyz, Uri, and Unterwalden-formed the so-called "Everlasting League" to counter outside aggression. This became the nucleus of what would develop into the Swiss Confederacy, and eventually the nation of Switzerland. Gradually, more and more cantons would join, ending their constant, low-level infighting and making the land more secure for trade. By the beginning of the 16th century, the Swiss Confederacy was comprised of 13 cantons, and this voluntary unification, without threats or conquest, was remarkable for the time. It was helped by the fact that the Swiss had a roughly similar culture, and that the region, with its ring of protective mountains, made the advantages of unification against a hostile outer world obvious to all. Few powers dared try to enter Swiss territory, and they generally met with disaster when they did, but ironically, this led to a new problem. The Swiss villages had always been prone to fighting and raiding one another, maintaining a constant low-level warfare that made the Swiss good fighters, and hotheaded young men wanted a chance to fight. At the same time, other areas, especially Italy, saw a growing need for mercenaries. Constantly trying to take land from their neighbors, Italian city-states were hampered by the fact that most of their men were busy tilling fields, engaging in trade and crafts, or building the cities and monuments that would become the wonders of the Renaissance. Moreover, the cutthroat politics of the city-states were such that rulers could not trust their own officers, who might murder them and take over their positions, something that happened on numerous occasions. The obvious solution was to hire mercenary armies, units of foreign men who had no connections or loyalty to any of the local factions and who would fight for money. The Swiss were perfectly poised to fill this need, given that they were geographically close and many already spoke Italian. They were also well trained thanks to a well-organized system of local and canton militias. With mercenary units being organized on the canton level, it was often possible to hire an entire, ready-made army with a single contract, and not only did these armies come already armed and trained, but they came from the same local area.

Download or read book European War and Diplomacy 1337 1815 written by William Young and published by iUniverse. This book was released on 2003 with total page 309 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The history of international relations and warfare of early modern Europe has gained popularity in recent years. This bibliography provides a valuable listing of books, dissertations, and journal articles in the English language for scholars and general readers interested in diplomatic relations and warfare from the Hundred Years' War to the Napoleonic Wars.

Download or read book Mercenaries A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies written by Alan Axelrod and published by CQ Press. This book was released on 2013-12-27 with total page 735 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mercenaries have been active in battle from the beginning of military history and, as private armies and military support firms, they are a major component of warfare today. Security, military advice, training, logistics support, policing, technological expertise, intelligence, transportation—all are outsourced to a greater or lesser degree in the U.S. military. However, privatization is not a uniquely American phenomenon. Countries as diverse as Saudi Arabia and Australia rely on privatization in one form or another. Historically, heads of state, politicians, and other administrators have justified use of mercenaries on the basis of their effectiveness, and cost-savings. These reasons and others continue to serve as rationales for use of private military companies in military strategy. Mercenaries: A Guide to Private Armies and Private Military Companies provides a comprehensive survey and guide to mercenary forces, entrepreneurs, and corporations active on the international military scene today, including a concise history of mercenaries and private armies on land, sea, and in the air. Narrative chapters are amply supplemented by sidebars including biographies of major figures, key statistics, historical and current documents, contracts, and legislation on private armies and outsourced military services. Each chapter includes a bibliography of books, journal articles, and web sites, and a general bibliography concludes the entire work.

Download or read book The Swiss Reformation written by Bruce Gordon and published by Manchester University Press. This book was released on 2002 with total page 396 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In this comprehensive study of the Swiss Reformation, Gordon examines the event in the context of the history of the Swiss Federation. The Reformation is presented as a narrative of events followed by an examination of various key themes surrounding the event.

Download or read book One Million Mercernaries written by John McCormack and published by Pen and Sword. This book was released on 1993-09-01 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: An account of the Swiss soldiers of fortune who plied their trade in the foreign regiments of European militaries and even the American Civil War. The white mercenaries who attracted the world’s attention in the Congo during the early 1960s were never more than a few hundred in number. In contrast, no fewer than a million Swiss troops served as mercenaries in the armies of Europe during the preceding 500 years. Swiss mercenaries form a significant strand in the rope of European military history, and this book draws on many French and German-language sources to describe how the Swiss emerged from the isolated valleys of the Alps with a new method of warfare. Their massed columns of pike-carrying infantry were the first foot-soldiers since Roman times who could hold their own against the cavalry. For a brief period at the end of the fifteenth century the Swiss army appeared unbeatable, and after Swiss independence had been ensured they were hired out as mercenaries throughout Europe. Kings and generals competed to hire these elite combat troops. Nearly half of the million served with the French, their centuries of loyal service culminating with the massacre of the Swiss Guards during the French Revolution. Marlborough, Frederick the Great and Napoleon all hired large numbers of Swiss troops, and three Swiss regiments served in the British Army.

Download or read book Battle of Flodden 1513 written by John Sadler and published by The History Press. This book was released on 2011-11-30 with total page 350 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Battle of Flodden in 1513 was the largest battle ever to take place between England and Scotland. James IV himself led an army of 30,000 men over the border into England, ostensibly in revenge for the murder of a Scotsman, but in reality to assist their ally the French by diverting the forces of Henry VIII.Yet the Scots were hampered by old-fashioned weapons and tactics, whereas the English deployed more accurate artillery and their vaunted longbowmen. When King James IV was killed while leading a charge, and many of their officers died, the Scots were left in disarray and the English victory was decisive.As the first new history of the battle in a decade, this authoritative and eye-opening account marks the 500th anniversary and brings our knowledge of the conflict up to date. Expert knowledge and detailed maps look at the key events, the 1135 campaign and the minor battles of Millfield and Norham, and a full profile of the respective forces and deployments, and convey the battle’s course concisely and clearly. A key read for those interested in military history or the period in general.

Download or read book Landsknecht Soldier 1486 1560 written by John Richards and published by Osprey Publishing. This book was released on 2002-05-25 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Landsknecht (meaning 'servant of the country') flourished during a key period for military organisation and practice. In the late 15th century, the Holy Roman Emperor, Maximilian I, recruited thousands of mercenaries from Central and Northern Europe, with the aim of creating a reliable source of men for his armies – and the Landsknecht were born. This book reveals the true-life experiences of the Landsknecht soldier during conflicts such as those of the Italian Wars (1494-1559), using numerous first-hand accounts. It takes a close look at the recruitment, training, daily life and and careers of these formidable soldiers, and examines in detail their clothing, equipment and weaponry. Many fine, contemporary illustrations, some drawn by Landsknecht themselves, accompany the text.

Download or read book Renaissance Armies in Italy 1450 1550 written by Gabriele Esposito and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2020-11-26 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Italian Renaissance marked a period of political and military turmoil. Many regional wars were fought between the states ruled by Milan, Venice, Genoa, Florence, the Papacy, Siena and Naples. For more than 50 years starting in 1494, major foreign powers also exploited these divisions to invade Italy; both France and Spain made temporary alliances with city states to further their ambitions, and early in the 16th century the Emperor Charles V sent armies from his German realms to support the Spanish. These wars coincided with the growth of disciplined infantry – carrying not only polearms and crossbows but also handguns – which proved capable of challenging the previously dominant armoured knights. The widespread use of mercenaries ushered in the early development of the 'pike and shot' era that succeeded the 'High Middle Ages'. During this period costumes, armour and weapons varied greatly due to their national origins and to the evolution of tactics and technology. This masterfully illustrated study offers a fascinating insight into the many armies which fought in Italy during this turbulent period, explaining not only their arms and equipment, but also their structure and successes and failures on the battlefield.

Download or read book War on Land written by Britannica Educational Publishing and published by Britannica Educational Publishing. This book was released on 2011-11-01 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Long before they took to the sea and air, warring factions engaged in land-based conflicts that involved close-range combat with rudimentary defenses and weapons. As civilizations have advanced, so too have their military strategies, tactics, and weaponry. Eventually this led to the development of sophisticated land fortifications, arms, artillery, and missile systems in use today by ground troops. This insightful volume examines the evolution of warfare on land around the world, as well as the impact of new technologies on the nature of war.

Download or read book Renaissance Armies in Italy 1450 1550 written by Gabriele Esposito and published by Bloomsbury Publishing. This book was released on 2020-11-26 with total page 50 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Italian Renaissance marked a period of political and military turmoil. Many regional wars were fought between the states ruled by Milan, Venice, Genoa, Florence, the Papacy, Siena and Naples. For more than 50 years starting in 1494, major foreign powers also exploited these divisions to invade Italy; both France and Spain made temporary alliances with city states to further their ambitions, and early in the 16th century the Emperor Charles V sent armies from his German realms to support the Spanish. These wars coincided with the growth of disciplined infantry – carrying not only polearms and crossbows but also handguns – which proved capable of challenging the previously dominant armoured knights. The widespread use of mercenaries ushered in the early development of the 'pike and shot' era that succeeded the 'High Middle Ages'. During this period costumes, armour and weapons varied greatly due to their national origins and to the evolution of tactics and technology. This masterfully illustrated study offers a fascinating insight into the many armies which fought in Italy during this turbulent period, explaining not only their arms and equipment, but also their structure and successes and failures on the battlefield.

Download or read book Battle Of Courtrai July 11 1302 written by André Geraque Kiffer and published by Clube de Autores. This book was released on 2020-01-02 with total page 93 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: As an outline of the tactical maneuver that will be tested in the simulated battle game of chapter 3, we present the Staunton chess Opening as a model, where we will consider a hypothesis (compared to chess) that employs the battle order 12, Yarmuk s or the reinforced oblique on the attacking flank, which has its best use in an attack which a smaller force (Note: in this case the inferiority is more for the relative advantage of the Flemish defense device than the French attack s, than for the effective) against an bigger one, reserving from the initial shock the weakened flank.

Download or read book The Military Revolution in Early Modern Europe written by Frank Jacob and published by Springer. This book was released on 2016-06-25 with total page 106 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book challenges the premise that a ‘military revolution’ prompted the major European powers to enter into an era of global hegemony during the early modern period, and suggests that this theory is not supported if we closely examine contemporary historical events. The conquests of Mexico and Peru, arguably the two most important colonial acquisitions by a European power during that era, were accomplished without the technology or tactics that are usually associated with the ‘military revolution’. On the other hand, Japan, Korea, some Indian states and the Ottoman Empire implemented military reforms, both tactical and technological, that are commonly associated with what was considered an exclusively Western approach to warfare. By comparing case studies of the Western and the non-Western world, Frank Jacob and Gilmar Visoni-Alonzo show that the concept of such a ‘military revolution’ is a myth perpetuated by a Eurocentric perspective on history.

Download or read book The Citizen Soldier in War and Peace written by James Biser Whisker and published by Universal-Publishers. This book was released on 2021-09-15 with total page 246 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Citizen Soldier in War and Peace is a is a short historical look at the use of firearms in America and throughout the world this book appeals to anybody who believes in the Second Amendment or who is interested in the historical use of firearms. It begins with the use of guns for hunting and self-protection ad well as personal property and of course national defense early in our country‘s early history . It also analyzes the philosophical standpoint of the idea of the armed citizen and its relationship to freedom. A freeman with a gun, an armed citizenry means a free country The book also does a thorough job of examining other countries and other philosophical aspects of arming the citizenry. This book clearly defines the Militias in other countries. It touches on China and the Soviet Union and their philosophy as well. The book is extremely readable and would be advised reading for anyone from high school to grad school. Those interested in history political science or current events will find this book a must for their personal library.

Download or read book Twenty Battles That Shaped Medieval Europe written by George Theotokis and published by The Crowood Press. This book was released on 2019-06-06 with total page 299 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book is a history of the strategy, military equipment and battle-tactics of European armies in the Middle Ages. It gives a detailed analysis of twenty decisive battles, from the Battle of Frigidus in AD394 to the Battle of Varna in 1444, taking in such key battles as Hastings in 1066 and Bouvines in 1214.