History Of Warfare: The Renaissance At War

Part of the Cassell 'History Of Warfare' series, a multi-volume history of war and warfare from ancient to modern times.

Towards the end of the fifteenth century modern artillery and portable firearms became the signature weapons of the European West. These new weapons appeared at a time when the European elite was engaged in the wholesale redefinition of the system in which they lived: the Renaissance. This combination of new technology and political and social change had revolutionary effects.

By the end of the sixteenth century medieval knights had become officers, armies were no longer led by heroes but directed by generals, and infantry had formed in highly drilled ranks reminiscent of ancient Rome. The immense power of the new gunpowder weapons required not only a new design of fortification, but also massive changes in strategy and tactics in all areas from siegecraft to the infantry unit.

In this book Thomas Arnold embarks on a fascinating journey through the warfare of the Renaissance. He starts with an analytical introduction of the so-called military revolution, then looks at the changes in weapons and architecture, the impact of these on strategy and tactics, and the resulting need for the army, particularly the officer class, to attain a higher level of literacy and numeracy. In the second half of the work the author provides a narrative history of European war in the sixteenth century. He examines the Christian crusades, the perpetually duelling monarchs of Europe and the often potent struggle between rulers and their rebellious subjects.

In this comprehensive and beautifully illustrated volume Thomas Arnold makes use of crucial technical information and rich anecdotal detail. In doing so he demonstrates the far-reaching changes in Renaissance warfare; changes which were to alter profoundly the nature of warfare.