The Mamluks 1250–1517

Osprey Men at Arms #259

by David Nicolle, David Nicolle

In Europe the Mamluks of Egypt are remembered as so-called 'Slave Kings' who drove out the Crusaders from the Holy Land; but they were far more than that. Though its frontiers barely changed, the Mamluk Sultanate remained a 'great power' for two and a half centuries. Its armies were the culmination of a military tradition stretching back to the 8th century, and provided a model for the early Ottoman Empire, whose own armies reached the gates of Vienna only twelve years after the Mamluks were overthrown. This absorbing text by David Nicolle explores the organisation and tactics of these fascinating people.

Genres: History, Military History, Medieval, Egypt

48 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 1993

About the author

David C. Nicolle is a British historian specialising in the military history of the Middle Ages, with a particular interest in the Middle East.

Reviews

[Anibal · Rating 4 out of 5]

The legendary slave kings existed!!! Although at the end of their training period they were released, but the basis for the european legend was true. The Mamluks overthrew their Ayyubid rulers and began the Mamluk sultanate.

Professor Nicolle, an extraordinary scholar of this period and islamic history, gives the reader a worthy introduction to the history, daily life, weaponry and armor, hierarchy, etc. Both dinasties are covered (Bahri and Burji Mamluks), so the covered period is almost three centuries.

The Mamluks were divided in categories like the Sultan's own, the Amir's Mamluks, etc, with different pay and serving conditions. Other interesting aspects are the fact that Mamluk armies also had large numbers of free-born warriors (although lower ranked).

The siege warfare is covered including fortifications and the classification of siege engines.

The mamluk military manuals - furusiyah - provide precious information, but probably they're like all other military manuals giving optimum conditions and not always reflecting current practices. Some care must be taken while considering most evidences and claims.

As usual, the immense love of the author for Islamic history leads to some "conclusions" and ideas that are somewhat one-sided. For example multiple references on Christian piracy, forgetting that most were corsairs and Islamic pirates were also prolific in the Mediterranean; better treatment of slaves in the Islamic world, stating that religious rules forbade ill treatment of slaves; well Christians also had rulings forbidding ill treatment of "brothers", that didn't stop many things occurring; having a conviction doesn't mean that someone will obey all directives of said conviction (the slaves destined for war were very well treated, that's true...but the others? There were Islamic slave revolts in medieval Islam; it happened in ancient Europe but never in the medieval period; and the death rate of slaves was huge, that's why they needed so many). In another topic you will find a comment where the author refers that contrary to Christian Knights, the Mamluk didn't need help donning his armor; well knights also didn't need help with their armor when said armor was a mail hauberk for example (it's not particularly hard to don the popular jawshan/lamellar armor of the mamluks)...I would like to see a mamluk trying to get in early XVI cent. plate without help.

In a new edition the author should insert a chronology. The art from Angus McBride is very good and this work is well illustrated with photos of architecture and artifacts.

[Paul A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and beautifully illustrated with really good commentary on uniforms, tactics, and history of the Mamluks! Angus McBride is a phenomenal illustrator and David Nicolle is clearly very well informed. Unfortunately, the print quality is somewhat lacking, especially in the photographs of the reference objects. Often, captions will make reference to a detail of a piece of art which is not visible due to the low resolution of the printed photographs. Still, I enjoyed reading through this installment of Men-at-Arms and looking forward to collecting more!

[Miroku Nemeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Osprey in general and David Nicolle in particular do a period work, it good because of the former and invariably excellent because of the latter. Illustrations by Angus McBride bring the work to perfection. Worth having in your library.

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful visual guide to the military side of Mamluk life.