Armies of Plantagenet England, 1135–1337: The Scottish and Welsh Wars and Continental Campaigns

Description

The ascent of the Plantagenets to the English throne in 1154 led to the beginning of a new historical phase in the British Isles, which was marked by numerous wars that were fought between the Kingdom of England and the 'Celtic nations' of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. During the rule of the Norman kings, the English armies had not completed the conquest of Wales and had established only some footholds in Ireland; Scotland was still independent and was ready to contest the Plantagenets’ possession of northern England. As a result of this situation, the two centuries between the rise of the new dynasty and the beginning of the Hundred Years’ War were characterized by a series of wars that ravaged feudal England. Gabriele Esposito covers all these conflicts, following the campaigns of Richard the Lionheart as well as those of his younger brother who was defeated on the continent at the large Battle of Bouvines; the conquest of Wales is analyzed in detail, as well as the First Scottish War of Independence that saw William Wallace playing a prominent role. The organization and equipment of all the troop types taken into account is described in full detail and lavishly illustrated with color images of reenactors, bringing these forces to life. Cover Book Title Copyright Contents Acknowledgements Introduction Chapter 1 The Anarchy and the Rise of the Plantagenets Chapter 2 The Reign of Henry II Chapter 3 The Wars of Richard the Lionheart Chapter 4 King John and the First Barons’ War Chapter 5 The Long Reign of Henry III Chapter 6 The Wars of Edward I Chapter 7 The Reigns of Edward II and Edward III Chapter 8 Organization and Equipment of the Plantagenet Military Forces and of their Enemies Bibliography The Re-enactors who Contributed to this Book Index