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Battles of the Medieval World, 1000 - 1500: From Hastings to Constantinople
Introduces 20 key battles from Europe and the Near East in an age when traditional codes of chivalry gave way to increasing professionalism. These battles include Hastings, Hattin, Leignitz, Lake Peipus, Bannockburn, Crecy, Agincourt, Constantinople, and many more. The book includes exciting, full-color tactical maps for each battle, showing the reader the dispositions and movements of the opposing armies at a glance.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Kelly DeVries
71 books12 followersKelly DeVries (born December 23, 1956) is an American historian specializing in the warfare of the Middle Ages. He is often featured as an expert commentator on television documentaries. He is professor of history at Loyola University Maryland and Honorary Historical Consultant at the Royal Armouries, UK.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 21, 2012
This is probably the coolest bargain-priced book I've ever picked up. Not only does it have a detailed explanation of each battle, it even diagrams the battle so you can see how everyone was set up. Totally, totally awesome.
May 6, 2013
This is a great book for just picking up when you're feeling morbid and want to know about some of the most talked-about battles of the middle ages (wherever people talk about that stuff...if anywhere.) It's easy on the eyes, with lots of great paintings and fun sidebars with the basic facts of the battles. Then there's a pretty concise textual overview of why everyone was so mad and the conditions and stuff of the battle itself, then a very 90s graphical overview of the maneuvers of the battle itself with lots of little red and blue guys running around, which despite the kind of dated look really does lay all of the complicated action out pretty clearly, which is what this book is all about: being concise and fun to look at, while also managing to include plenty of facts. I don't know if anyone cares, but apparently the book was put together by a group of smart people including professors and historians so I found that kinda interesting.
Some of the most famous and interesting battles of this period can be found here. Some of my favorites were Hastings, Hattin, Bannockburn, Crecy, and Agincourt. The books are full of fun facts to bring up to coworkers or family, like apparently King Robert the Bruce of the Scots hit some fancypants noble guy at Bannockburn so hard that his head split in half. While I have a chance, I want to digress a little: you have to feel bad for King Harold. After fighting off the invading Norwegians and killing their king, he has to deal with the invading Duke William like two weeks later and gets killed in turn. You couldn't write that kind of thing. That's exactly what this book offers, cheap historical thrills, but with just enough class to where you don't feel horrible while holding it in your hands.
Some of the most famous and interesting battles of this period can be found here. Some of my favorites were Hastings, Hattin, Bannockburn, Crecy, and Agincourt. The books are full of fun facts to bring up to coworkers or family, like apparently King Robert the Bruce of the Scots hit some fancypants noble guy at Bannockburn so hard that his head split in half. While I have a chance, I want to digress a little: you have to feel bad for King Harold. After fighting off the invading Norwegians and killing their king, he has to deal with the invading Duke William like two weeks later and gets killed in turn. You couldn't write that kind of thing. That's exactly what this book offers, cheap historical thrills, but with just enough class to where you don't feel horrible while holding it in your hands.
June 28, 2020
The wide scope of the book limits the thoroughness of the entries. However, it is still very well done with excellent illustrations.
After a second reading I am more impressed with this book than when I first read it. Coffee table books are designed for skimming rather than a leisurely, but careful, reading. I am impressed with the way the authors / editors maintained cohesiveness and organization throughout the book. The breakout boxes follow the same style in each entry. The content is marvelously organized for easy reference.
There are only about 20 battles covered, so there is a great deal of subjectivity regarding which battles to include. It is also just as subjective about starting a discussion of the Medieval World in 1066 with the Battle of Hastings. The team indicate this was done owing to better source material allowing them comparative content throughout each entry. In subsequent volumes the same team has focused on Biblical, Classical, and Crusader Battles, so that is not entirely accurate.
I am impressed that the team included some obscure battles such as Brunkeberg and Vitkov to go along with Crecy, Agincourt, and both Sieges of Constantinople. I definitely learned things from this book that I had not picked up studying Medieval Europe in graduate school. I am especially appreciative of the ability to compare the two sieges of Constantinople. I never knew that Mehmet the Conqueror was on the cusp of giving up the siege until someone carelessly left open a strategic door in the wall.....Nor did I recall how in 1203 the Venetians successfully captured the city with a marine assault from the sea.
Overall, this is one of the best coffee table books I have seen on the subject of Medieval Warfare. In fact, I can easily recommend it over more thorough volumes of the same topic.
After a second reading I am more impressed with this book than when I first read it. Coffee table books are designed for skimming rather than a leisurely, but careful, reading. I am impressed with the way the authors / editors maintained cohesiveness and organization throughout the book. The breakout boxes follow the same style in each entry. The content is marvelously organized for easy reference.
There are only about 20 battles covered, so there is a great deal of subjectivity regarding which battles to include. It is also just as subjective about starting a discussion of the Medieval World in 1066 with the Battle of Hastings. The team indicate this was done owing to better source material allowing them comparative content throughout each entry. In subsequent volumes the same team has focused on Biblical, Classical, and Crusader Battles, so that is not entirely accurate.
I am impressed that the team included some obscure battles such as Brunkeberg and Vitkov to go along with Crecy, Agincourt, and both Sieges of Constantinople. I definitely learned things from this book that I had not picked up studying Medieval Europe in graduate school. I am especially appreciative of the ability to compare the two sieges of Constantinople. I never knew that Mehmet the Conqueror was on the cusp of giving up the siege until someone carelessly left open a strategic door in the wall.....Nor did I recall how in 1203 the Venetians successfully captured the city with a marine assault from the sea.
Overall, this is one of the best coffee table books I have seen on the subject of Medieval Warfare. In fact, I can easily recommend it over more thorough volumes of the same topic.
June 25, 2018
This is a very specific book for people with interest in military history, strategies and tactics of medieval battles. If you want to pass your time and amuse yourself don't read it because it will be probably boring for non initiates. I enjoyed it very much. Good history work.
January 4, 2023
My favorite historical book growing up. Excellent images too.
January 3, 2026
Easily accessible overview of a great deal of history
March 1, 2013
With my interests lying mainly in the battles of the Ancient world, I started reading this book with a very limited understanding of how war was waged in Medieval times. The more I read this book and studied the strategies of the commanders, the better I was able to understand the mindset of most commanding officers of the time. I enjoyed it so much that I found myself devising strategies for how I would have handled the battles I was reading about if I were in command of one of the armies.
This book provided background information of the conflict, the strengths and weaknesses of the armies in the field, the dispositions of the commanders, detailed descriptions of the battles, and also maps identifying troop maneuvers and actions during the battle itself. This book is an excellent read for any history buff wanting to become more familiar with the most famous (though not always the most desicive) battles of the Medieval world.
This book provided background information of the conflict, the strengths and weaknesses of the armies in the field, the dispositions of the commanders, detailed descriptions of the battles, and also maps identifying troop maneuvers and actions during the battle itself. This book is an excellent read for any history buff wanting to become more familiar with the most famous (though not always the most desicive) battles of the Medieval world.
January 9, 2008
Outstanding detailed analysis of battles fought during the Medieval world. Battle maps, strategy, weapons, troops and tactics - a must for any fan of this period in history.
Currently Reading
July 30, 2008If brevity is the soul of wit then this is a witty book. I like it though. Light reading that can be interrupted constantly by band practices and binges.
January 8, 2013
This is an excellent overview. Lovely illustrations showing battle plans, artillery, soldiers' gear, and lots more.
June 5, 2021
Didático e bem escrito!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews