Medieval WarfareBook Reviews

Geographical Regions

Reviews are grouped by category and come from various sources.

• indicates a book reviewed specifically for DeReMilitari. De Re Militari generously thanks the publishers who have generously provided us with copies of their books for review.
• indicates a book reviewed in the H-Net book review lists. The H-Net network has numerous subject-specific mailing lists and publishes hundreds of reviews each year.
• indicated reviews from The Medieval Review. Since 1993, The Medieval Review (TMR; formerly the Bryn Mawr Medieval Review) has been publishing reviews of current work in all areas of Medieval Studies, a field it interprets as broadly as possible.  Here are some of their reviews dealing with medieval military history.
• are reviews found through FindArticles.com

France and Low Countries

• Michael K. Jones, Agincourt 1415 - A Battlefield Guide (Pen and Sword, 2005), 192pp. -- Reviewed by Lee Ruddin.
• Robert Douglas Smith and Kelly DeVries, The Artillery of the Dukes of Burgundy 1363-1477 (Brill, 2005), 377pp. -- Reviewed by Pete Burkholder.
• Andrew Ayton and Philip Preston, et al., The Battle of Crecy, 1346, Warfare in History (Boydell, 2005), xii+390pp. -- Reviewed by Sergio Mantovani.
• Stephen W. Richey, Joan of Arc: The Warrior Saint (Praeger, 2003), x+175 pp. -- Reviewed by Sergio Mantovani
• Randall Fegley, The Golden Spurs of Kortrijk (McFarland, 2002), 242pp. -- Reviewed by Mark Charles Fissel.
• L.J. Andrew Villalon and Donald J. Kagay (eds.), The Hundred Years War: a wider focus, History of Warfare 25 (Brill, 2005), lv+520pp. -- Reviewed by Brian Ditcham.
• David Nicolle, Poitiers 1356, Campaign 138 (Osprey, 2004), 96pp. -- Reviewed by Brian Ditcham
• Anne Curry, The Battle of Agincourt. Sources and Interpretations (Boydell, 2000), 490pp. -- Reviewed by Cliff Rogers.
• Eric Jager, The Last Duel: A true story of crime, scandal, and trial by combat in medieval France (Broadway, 2004), 242pp. -- Reviewed by Brian Ditcham
• Denise Baker (ed.), Inscribing the Hundred Years' War in French and English Cultures (SUNY, 2000) -- Reviewed by Andrew J. Villalon
• From Crécy to Mohács: Warfare in the Late Middle Ages (1346-1526) ACTA, 22nd Congress of the International Commission for Military History (Vienna: Heersgeeschichte Museum, 1997), 408pp. [contributions in English, German, French, and Spanish] -- Reviewed by Brian D.H. Ditcham
• Jousts and Tournaments: Charny and the Rules for Chivalric Sport in Fourteenth-Century France , by Steven Muhlberger -- Reviewed by Andy King
• War and Combat 1150-1270: The Evidence from Old French Literature, by Catherine Hanley (Brewer, 2003) -- Reviewed by Steve Muhlberger
• The Battle of Agincourt: Sources and Interpretations, by Anne Curry -- Reviewed by Malcolm Vale (Albion)
• War, Government and Power in Late Medieval France, edited by Christopher Allmand -- Reviewed by Clifford Rogers
• Agincourt 1415: Henry V, Sir Thomas Erpingham and the triumph of the English archers, edited by Anne Curry -- Reviewed by David Grummitt  
• The Golden Spurs of Kortrijk: How the Knights of Flanders Fell to the Foot Soldiers of Flanders in 1302, by Randall Fegley -- Reviewed by Susan Rose
• Joan of Arc: A Military Leader, by Kelly DeVries -- Reviewed by Dawn Drumin (King's College - Women's History Resources Site)
• Joan of Arc: A Military Leader, by Kelly DeVries -- Reviewed by Margaret Sankey
• The "Carmen de Hastingae Proelio" of Guy Bishop of Amiens, ed. by Frank Barlow -- Reviewed by John Howe
• The Battle of the Golden Spurs: Courtrai, 11 July 1302, byJ.F.Verbruggen -- Reviewed by Susan Rose
• War Cruel and Sharp: English Strategy Under Edward III, 1327-1360, by Clifford Rogers -- Reviewed by Adrian Bell
• War Cruel and Sharp: English Strategy under Edward III, 1327-1360, by Clifford Rogers -- Reviewed by Stephen Morillo (Albion)
• War Cruel and Sharp: English Strategy under Edward III, 1327-1360, by Clifford Rogers -- Reviewed by Maurice Keen (English Historical Review)
• War Cruel and Sharp: English Strategy under Edward III, 1327-1360, by Clifford Rogers -- Reviewed by Michael Prestwich (Reviews in History)
• Infantry Warfare in the Early Fourteenth Century: Discipline, Tactics, and Technology, by Kelly DeVries -- Reviewed by Sean Mcglynn (English Historical Review)
• Lambert of Ardres: The History of the Counts of Guines and Lords of Ardres, translated by Leah Shopkow -- Reviewed by Jean Dunbabin (English Historical Review)
• The Hundred Years War: Volume Two, Trial by Fire, by Jonathan Sumption -- Reviewed by David Green
• The Battle of Agincourt: Sources and Interpretations, by Anne Curry -- Reviewed by Malcolm Vale (English Historical Review)
• "Strong of Body, Brave and Noble": Chivalry and Society in Medieval France, by Constance Brittain Bouchard -- Reviewed by Mary Alberi (The Historian)

British Isles and the North Sea

• Christopher Gravett, The Castles of Edward I in Wales 1277-1307, Fortress 64 (Osprey, 2007), 64pp. -- Reviewed by Victora Bandt.
• James Miller, Swords for Hire: The Scottish Mercenary (Birlinn, 2007), xxv+292pp. -- Reviewed by Brian Ditcham.
• Douglas Biggs, Three Armies in Britain: The Irish Campaign of Richard II and the Usurpation of Henry IV, 1397-99, History of Warfare 39 (Brill, 2006), xvi+300 pp -- Reviewed by Compton Reeves.
• Frank D. Reno, The Historic King Arthur: Authenticating the Celtic Hero of Post-Roman Britain (1996; McFarland 2003), 458pp -- Rreviewed by Ilana Krug.
• Benton Rain Patterson, Harold and William: The Battle for England, A.D. 1064-1066 (Cooper Square Publishers, 2001), 209pp. -- Reviewed by Cason Snow.
• Ian Howard, Swein Forkbeard's Invasions and the Danish Conquest of England, 991-1017 (Boydell, 2003), 203pp. -- Reviewed by Cason Snow.
• Chris Brown, Robert the Bruce: A Life Chronicled (Tempus, 2004), 416pp. -- reviewed by Elizabeth Schevtchuk-Armstrong.
• Andy King (ed. and trans.), Sir Thomas Gray Scalacronica 1272-1363, Surtees Society v. 209 (Brill, 2005), 288pp. -- Reviewed by Cliff Rogers.
• Chris Brown, William Wallace: The True Story of Braveheart (The Mill, Brimscombe Port, Stroud, 2005) 287 pp. -- Reviewed by Sergio Mantovani.
• Margaret L. Kekewich and Susan Rose, , France & the Empire 1350-1500 (Palgrave MacMillan, 2005), xxiii+308pp. -- Reviewed by Brian G.H. Ditcham
• J.O. Prestwich (ed. Michael Prestwich), The Place of War in English History, 1066-1214 (Boydell, 2004), xxiii+138pp. -- Reviewed by Donald Flemming
• Frances Stonor Saunders, Hawkwood: Diabolical Englishman (Faber & Faber, 2004), 366pp -- Reviewed by Sergio Montovani
• M.K. Lawson, The Battle of Hastings, 1066 (Tempus, 2002) -- Reviewed by Peter Konieczny
• Mark Charles Fissel,English Warfare, 1511-1642 (Routledge, 2001. 352 pp) (see also Fissel's home page for 3 more).
• David Worthington, Scots in Habsburg Service, 1618-48 (Brill) -- Reviewed by Mark Charles Fissel
• Towton 1461 (Osprey Campaign 120), by Christopher Gravett -- Reviewed by A. Compton Reeves
• The Second Scottish Wars of Independence, by Chris Brown -- Reviewed by Clifford Rogers
• The Wars of the Roses 1455-1485, by Michael Hicks -- Reviewed by David Grummitt
• The Scottish Civil War: The Bruces & the Balliols & the War for Control of Scotland , by Michael Penman -- Reviewed by R. Andrew McDonald
• Armies and Warfare in the Middle Ages: The English Experience, by Michael Prestwich -- Reviewed by Andrew Ayton (English Historical Review)
• Warfare Under the Anglo-Norman Kings, 1066-1135; Nobles, Knights and Men-at-Arms in the Middle Ages; and Arms, Armies and Fortifications in the Hundred Years War - combined review by Sean McGlynn (History Today)
• War and Society in Medieval and Early Modern Britain, edited by Diana Dunn -- Reviewed by A. Compton Reeves  
• Agincourt 1415: Henry V, Sir Thomas Erpingham and the triumph of the English archers, edited by Anne Curry -- Reviewed by David Grummitt  
• The War of the Roses, by A.J. Pollard -- Reviewed by Sean Cunningham (English Historical Review)
• Bosworth 1485: Psychology of a Battle, by Michael K. Jones -- Reviewed by David Grummitt  
• The Knights Templar in Britain, by Evelyn Lord  - reviewed by Steven Isaac
• Early Medieval Ireland, 400-1200, by Daibhi O Croinin -- Reviewed by Dorothy C. Africa
• English Warfare, 1511-1642, by Mark Charles Fissel- reviewed by Barbara Donagan
• Surviving the Tudors: The 'Wizard' Earl of Kildare and English Rule in Ireland, 1537-1586, by Vincent P. Carey -- Reviewed by Carole Levin
• The Reign of Richard Lionheart: Ruler of the Angevin Empire, 1189-1199, by Ralph V. Turner and Richard H. Heiser -- Reviewed by James Bothwell
• Warriors of God: Richard the Lionheart and Saladin in the Third Crusade, by James Reston, Jr. -- Reviewed by Michael Pedrotty
• England's Colonial Wars 1550-1688: Conflicts, Empire and National Identity, by Bruce Lenman -- Reviewed by Pádraig Lenihan
• The Anglo-Scots Wars, 1513-1550: A Military History, by Gervase Phillips -- Reviewed by Barrett L. Beer
• War Cruel and Sharp: English Strategy Under Edward III, 1327-1360, by Clifford Rogers -- Reviewed by Adrian Bell
• The Wars of Edward III: Sources and Interpretations, edited by Clifford Rogers -- Reviewed by Sean Mcglynn (History Today)
• The Wars of Edward III: Sources and Interpretations, edited by Clifford Rogers -- Reviewed by Benjamin Thompson (English Historical Review)
• War and Chivalry. The Conduct and Perception of War in England and Normandy, 1066-1217, by Matthew Strickland -- Reviewed by Sean Mcglynn (English Historical Review)
• The Anglo-Scots Wars 1513-1550: A Military History, by Gervase Phillips -- Reviewed by Barrett L. Beer
• Kings in the North: the House of Percy in British History, by Alexander Rose -reviewed by Jonathan Sumption ( The Guardian)
• English Warfare: 1511-1642, by Mark Charles Fissel -- Reviewed by C.S.L. Davies (English Historical Review)
• The Household Knights of King John, by S.D. Church -- Reviewed by Heather Tanner
• The Black Douglases. War and Lordship in Late Medieval Scotland, 1300-1455, by Michael Brown -- Reviewed by Jenny Wormald (English Historical Review)

Germany / North Sea / Scandianvia

• David Lindholm and David Nicolle, The Scandinavian Baltic Crusades 1100-1500, illustrated by Angus McBride (Osprey, 2007), 48pp -- Reviewed by Dana Cushing.
• Vickie L. Ziegler, Trial By Fire and Battle in Medieval German Literature (Camden House, 2004), 234pp. -- Reviewed by John France
• Ships and Men in the Late Viking Age: The Vocabulary of Runic Inscriptions and Skaldic Verse, by Judith Jesch -- Reviewed by Susan Rose
• Ships and Men in the Late Viking Age: The Vocabulary of Runic Inscriptions and Skaldic Verse, by Judith Jesch -- Reviewed by Margaret Clunies Ross
• Ships and Men in the Late Viking Age: The Vocabulary of Runic Inscription and Skaldic Verse, by Judith Jesch -- Reviewed by Eric Christiansen (English Historical Review)
• The Norsemen in the Viking Age, by Eric Christiansen -- Reviewed by Margaret Clunies Ross
• Ágrip af Nóregskonungasögum: A Twelfth-Century Synoptic History of the Kings of Norway, edited by Matthew James Driscoll -- Reviewed by Kari Ellen Gade (Alvíssmál)
• Bloodtaking and Peacemaking: Feud, Law, and Society in Saga Iceland, by William Ian Miller -- Reviewed by Gunnar Karlsson (Alvissmal)

Italy/Spain/Mediterranean

Italy

• Niccolò Machiavelli, Art of War, trans. Christopher Lynch (University of Chicago Press, 2003), 312pp. -- Reviewed by L.J. Andrew Villalon.
• Christine Shaw (ed.), Italy and the European Powers: The Impact of War, 1500-1530, History of Warfare 38 (Brill, 2006) -- Reviewed by Sergio Mantovani.
• Francesco Ambrogiani, Vita di Costanzo Sforza (1447-1483) Pesaro città e contà, Link 3 (Pesaro: Società pesarese di studi storici, 2003). 277pp. -- Reviewed by Sergio Montovani.
• Enrica Guerra, Soggetti a “ribalda fortuna”. Gli uomini dello stato estense nelle guerre dell’Italia quattrocentesca, Temi di storia 74 (Milan: Franco Angeli, 2005) 347 pp. -- Reviewed by Sergio Mantovani.
• Gutierre Diaz de Gamez, The Unconquered Knight: A Chronicle of the Deeds of Don Pero Niño, Count of Buelna (1928; Boydell 2004), xv+232pp. -- Reviewed by L.J. Andrew Villalon.
• Sergio Mantovani, "Ad honore del signore vostro patre et satisfactione nostra". Ferrante d'Este condottiero di Venezia (Modena- Ferrara: Deputazione di Storia Patria per le Antiche Province Modenesi, 2005) 158pp -- Reviewed by Brian Ditcham.
• Luigi Guicciardini, The Sack of Rome, translated by James H. McGregor -- Reviewed by Sergio Mantovani
• Mercenary Companies and the Decline of Siena, by William Caferro -- Reviewed by Brian G. H. Ditcham  
• Mercenary Companies and the Decline of Siena, by William Caferro -- Reviewed by Bernard S. Bachrach (The Historian)
• Mercenary Companies and the Decline of Siena, by William Caferro -- Reviewed by Carla Sodini
• The Twilight of a Military Tradition: Italian Aristocrats and European Conflicts, 1560-1800, by Gregory Hanlon -- Reviewed by W. M. Reger IV

Spain

• Alberto Montaner Frutos and Alfonso Boix Jovaní, Guerra en Sarq Al'andalus: Las batallas cidianas de Morella (1084) y Cuarte (1094) (Zaragoza, 2005), 342pp. -- Reviewed by Don Kagay
• L.J. Andrew Villalon and Donald J. Kagay (eds.), The Hundred Years War: a wider focus, History of Warfare 25 (Brill, 2005), lv+520pp. -- Reviewed by Brian Ditcham.
• Three books for the military history of medieval Spain - reviewed by Jos é Manuel Rodríguez García
• Chronicle of Alfonso X, translated by Shelby Thacker and Jos é Escobar -- Reviewed by Donald Kagay
• 12 de Septiembre de 1213. El Jueves de Muret, by Martin Alvira Cabrer -- Reviewed by José Manuel Rodríguez García
• Guerra y relaciones políticas. Castilla-León y los musulmanes, ss. XI-XIII, by Francisco García Fitz -- Reviewed by Jose Manuel Rodriguez Garcia
• Lacruz y la espada, by Gonzalo Martínez Díez -- Reviewed by José Manuel Rodríguez García
• Castilla y León frente al Islam. Estrategias de expansión y tácticas militares (siglos XI-XIII), by Francisco Garcia Fitz -- Reviewed by José Manuel Rodríguez García

Mediterranean (see also Technology|Naval)

• Lawrence V. Mott, Sea Power in the Medieval Mediterranean: The Catalan-Aragonese Fleet in the War of the Sicilian Vespers, New Perspectives on Maritime History and Nautical Archaeology (University Press of Florida, 2003), 352pp. -- Reviewed by Don Kagay.
• War at Sea in the Middle Ages and Renaissance, edited by John B. Hattendorf and Richard W. Unger -- Reviewed by Susan Rose

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If you have books that you would like reviewed by De Re Militari, please contact the book review editor at:

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Program in Science, Technology, & Society
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We welcome books on all aspects of military history and science from late Roman to Early Modern (c.400-1648).

Unsolicited review copies are most welcome, but we cannot guarantee that all we receive will generate a review, although we certainly do try to review all books that come in. If you would like to send a list of books available for review, we will endeavor to find a reviewer who will then contact you to receive the book directly. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact the book review ediotr at <saw23@psu.edu>.