Henry of Lancaster's Expedition to Aquitaine, 1345-1346: Military Service and Professionalism in the Hundred Years War

Description

In 1345 Henry of Lancaster, earl of Derby - the most prominent soldier, diplomat and statesman of his generation - led an English royal army to the duchy of Aquitaine and inflicted two devastating defeats on the French royal forces. These were the first decisive victories for either side, and swung the course of the Hundred Years' War dramatically in England's favour. The remarkable success of the expedition, however, has been overshadowed in history by Edward III's more celebrated victory at Crécy the following year. This reassessment of a neglected campaign draws on a wealth of original source material to furnish an examination of the campaign "in the round"; recruitment, preparations and financial administration, as well as its events and achievements, are examined closely. A detailed biographical study of the individuals who took up arms under Lancaster's command forms a main part of this work: theportrayal of hundreds of careers in arms allows us to glean a sense of what life was like for soldiers in this army and in the later Middle Ages in general. An investigation of the men's martial experience, motivations for service and personal military networks provides an understanding of how and, indeed, why the army was so effective in the field of war. It also reveals much about the emergence of professionalism in English medieval armies and offers areassessment of Lancaster's importance as a captain, administrator and diplomat, and above all, as a successful military commander. NICHOLAS A. GRIBIT gained his PhD from the University of Leeds. Frontcover Contents List of Illustrations Preface and Acknowledgements Abbreviations Note on Money and Names Introduction Part I. Henry of Lancaster and the English Army: Soldiers, Payment and Recruitment 1 Henry of Lancaster and the English Expedition to Aquitaine, 1345–46 2 English and Welsh Soldiers: Troop Types in Lancaster’s Army 3 Raising an Army: Recruitment and Composition 4 Paying an Army: Financial Administration Part II. The English Expedition to Aquitaine, 1345–46 5 The Twin Victories: The First Campaign, 1345 6 Siege and Conquest by Sword: The Second Campaign, 1346 Part III. Military Service and the Earl’s Retinue for War 7 Lancaster’s War Retinue in 1345: Formation and Structure 8 Lancaster’s War Retinue in 1345: Cohesion and Stability 9 An Era of Military Professionalism: Careers and Patterns of Service Conclusion Appendix A: Transcription and Translation of Lancaster’s Indenture Appendix B: Prosopographical Catalogue of Men in Lancaster’s War Retinue, 1345–46 Bibliography Index