Sieges of the Middle Ages

Description

In the Middle Ages the castle was an important military and administrative center, essentially utilitarian in its design and in the purposes it served. Because it played so central a role in medieval history, and because the wealth of material is so great, the author has concentrated on English seiges undertaken in the period from the Norman Conquest to the War of the Roses. This includes many dramatic actions fought on the continental dominions of the English Crown such as Chateau Gaillard and Rouen. Drawing from contemporary records and his own inspection of sites, Philip Warner's narrative explores the skills of the architect, the engineer and the miner, as well as the courage of troops and their commanders. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Contents Preface 1. Introduction 2. The Development of Siege Warfare Techniques 3. The Castle as an Instrument of Conquest: William I and William Rufus 4. The Castle as an Instrument of Government: Henry I 5. 'The Nineteen long winters when God and his saints slept': Stephen and Matilda 6. The Plantagenet Warriors: Henry II and Richard I 7. The Small Gains and Large Losses of John 8. The Long Reign of Henry III 9. The Great Era of Castle-Building: Edward I 10. Favourites and Foreign Wars: Edward II and Edward III 11. Lancaster replaces Plantagenet: Richard II and Henry IV 12. War in France: Henry V 13. The Wars of the Roses: Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V, and Richard III 14. Conclusion Glossary Notes on Sources and Authors Select Bibliography Index