War and Chivalry: The Conduct and Perception of War in England and Normandy, 1066-1217

by Matthew Strickland

Overview

This is the first detailed study of the behavior in war of the military aristocracy in England and Normandy from the Norman Conquest to the reign of King John (1066-1217). Though methods of warfare are integral to the book, the emphasis is on conduct in battle and siege rather than with tactics and strategy. It explores ideas of ransom and the treatment of prisoners, the extent to which there was a "brotherhood in arms" among noble opponents, and how the knights treated the peasantry and churchmen in wartime.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521443920
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	12/12/1996
Series:	Cambridge Studies in Medieval Life and Thought
Pages:	416
Product dimensions:	6.26(w) x 9.25(h) x 1.38(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; List of illustrations and maps; 1. Introduction: the conquest and chivalry; 2. A 'law of arms'?; 3. A Christian chivalry? War, piety and sacrilege; 4. Honour, shame and reputation; 5. Conduct in battle: a brotherhood in arms?; 6. The limits of chivalry and the realities of battle; 7. Ransom and the treatment of prisoners; 8. Respite, resistance and honourable surrender: conventions of siege warfare; 9. Rebellion, treason and the punishment of revolt; 10. War against the land: ravaging and attrition; 11. Total war? The Scots and the routiers; 12. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"[Strickland] treats all three of the primary elements of medieval warfare...with skill and insight....a book which does more to broaden and reinforce our understanding of the conduct of medieval warfare....The author writes clearly and the book is well organized....I highly recommend it as a purchase for libraries." Clifford J. Rogers, The Journal of Military History

"In this excellent book, Strickland agrees that 2th century chivalric ideal—bravery, skill at arms, honor, largesse—contributed to the bellicose character of Anglo-Norman society." C.L. Hamilton, Choice

"This is a thoroughly engaging and informative work." American Historical Review

"The book's clear prose makes it easy to read.... Strickland's book is thus the definitive statement of ideas that have transformed our knowledge of warfare in what were the chilvalric centuries par excellence . D.A. Carpenter, The International History Review

"Matthew Strickland has written a superb study of the culture of war as it existed in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries in England and Normandy." Stephen Morillo, Albion

From the Publisher