Medieval Mercenaries

by William L. Urban, Terry Jones (Foreword by)

The Middle Ages were a turbulent and violent time, when the fate of nations was most often decided on the battlefield, and strength of arms was key to acquiring and maintaining power. Feudal oaths and local militias were more often than not incapable of providing the skilled and disciplined warriors necessary to keep the enemy at bay. It was the mercenary who stepped in to fill the ranks. In this benchmark work, William Urban explores the vital importance of the mercenary to the medieval power-broker, from the Byzantine Varangian Guard to fifteenth-century soldiers of fortune in the Baltic. Through contemporary chronicles and the most up-to-date scholarship, he presents an in-depth portrait of the mercenary across the Middle Ages. A mercenary was a professional soldier who took employment with minimum concern for the morals, ethics or cause of the paymaster. But within these confines we discover a surprising array of fighting-men, from the lowest-born foot soldier to the wealthiest aristocrat – the occasional clergyman, even. What united them all was a willingness, and often the desire, to fight for their supper. Shocking, informative and hugely entertaining, Medieval Mercenaries is a compelling account of the business of war in the age of chivalry.

Genres: History, Military History, Medieval, Nonfiction, Medieval History, Military Fiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published November 27, 2006

Reviews

[Peter Kavanagh · Rating 2 out of 5]

This could have been a seriously interesting book. Instead it was shallow and frustrating. I have had fun plundering the bibliography.

[Simon Vickery · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book discusses use of mercenary forces through the medieval era,starting from the Varangian guard til the Battle of Pskov in 1501, as well as some perspectives from later literature. The result leans more to "popular" than academic history - as some old debunked assumptions about medieval history are catered to, and there are some factual errors (eg Charles VI wasn't at Agincourt and the French army was mainly dismounted). While easy to read, you should look elsewhere if you want a deep understanding of the topic

[Jenn Hartlove · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book; shaky editing

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone knows medieval wars were fought by chivalrous knights willing to sacrifice all for lord and land . . . right? In Medieval Mercenaries: The Business of War, historian William Urban reveals the importance of this overlooked group of for-hire warriors in almost every major conflict of the Middle Ages.
Urban's witty, conversational style draws readers in to his exploration of the professional soldier. His refreshing insights leave them with a real understanding of how mercenaries shaped medieval culture and society. He also delves into the works of Shakespeare, Sir Walter Scott, and other literary authors both classic and modern, showing that how we view history through entertainment is often as important as what really happened.
Unfortunately, Urban has a tendency to ramble. His historical tangents may leave readers wondering, "What does this obscure battle in this hard-to-pronounce place have to do with mercenaries at all?" The non-linear format of the book only adds to the confusion.
But, overall, Medieval Mercenaries is a fascinating read concerning a severely underappreciated area of history. I recommend it to medieval enthusiasts everywhere.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting study of a period of history that history students think they know, but really don't. Much of what is in popular literature and culture about mercenaries comes from just a tiny part of the whole picture, and this book helps to put that into proper perspective.
Mercenary warfare during the Hundred Years War isn't as patriotic and heroic as people would like to think that period was, but it was a necessary and practical aspect of military matters, in the time before the more "famous" Italian and Swiss mercenaries of later years.
A very interesting study, and quite readable. The sources for the book are outlined, but as popular history, you'll have to track down and read the sources yourself, as there is no real footnoting.