Medieval Sieges & Siegecraft

by Geoffrey Hindley

Overview

Here Geoffrey Hindley serves us the history of military sieges from every angle, tracing the development of fortifications and equipment (offensive and defensive), penning vivid portraits of the weapons involved, exploring the psychology of laying siege, and even describing the role played by women and camp followers in battle. He shows siege tactics in action through real-life case studies of famous sieges that changed the course of history in medieval Europe and the Holy Land. His stimulating and accessible study will be fascinating reading for medieval specialists and for anyone who is interested in the history of warfare.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626368668
Publisher:	Skyhorse
Publication date:	05/01/2009
Sold by:	SIMON & SCHUSTER
Format:	eBook
Pages:	240
Sales rank:	583,190
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Geoffrey Hindley is a distinguished medieval historian who has written widely on many aspects of the period. He has made a special study of medieval warfare and of sieges in particular.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vi

List of Plates vii

Introduction: Siegecraft: The Basis of Medieval Warfare 1

Chapter 1 Fortified Towns and Cities 13

Chapter 2 Strong Points in a Landscape 18

Chapter 3 Castles and Fortifications: Designers, Builders and Developments 29

Chapter 4 Machines of War 41

Chapter 5 Fire Hazard 52

Chapter 6 Artillery 60

Chapter 7 Attack and Defense 81

Chapter 8 Logistics 90

Chapter 9 War Games, Psychology and Morale 110

Chapter 10 Women at War 125

Chapter 11 Rules of Engagement 137

Chapter 12 The Horrors of Total War 150

Appendix: Vegelius, the Medieval Textbook of Warfare 162

Glossary of Technical Terms 166

Notes on the Sources 171

Bibliography 174

Index 177

Editorial Reviews

For those interested in a fuller understanding of medieval warfare, covering the years 500 to 1500 C.E., this book should be square one. The siege was the basis of battle then, and British historian Hindley covers the subject from the development of the castle as strongpoint to the evolution of fortified towns and cities; logistics and supply; the machinery and weapons of war; and the parts women and camp followers played in battles, some taking a very active role in combat. All of this discussion is anchored in the author's depictions of the famous sieges of the period, as well as of the First through the Fifth Crusades. Broken down into digestible sections (e.g., "Machines of War" is divided into "Crossbow" and "Catapult"), the extremely readable results are recommended.

Library Journal