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 · 247 ratings  · 22 reviews

Starting time your review of The Art of State of war in the Eye Ages: A.D. 378-1515

Jul 04, 2012 John rated it information technology was astonishing

Proof that the rating system here is rubbish.

Check this out, this is Sir Oman's Full book, with the absolutely brilliant chapter on the Swiss, their pikemen and Clout etc., only this gets a 3.8 rating while the INCOMPLETE book without the assay of rapid calorie-free infantry pike and the tactics of Leo and the Strategicon of Maurice scores over a four.2

Sir Charles Oman writes some of the best English linguistic communication paragraphs to engagement, whatever date. Check this i out:

"The strength of the armies of Philip an

Proof that the rating organization here is rubbish.

Check this out, this is Sir Oman'south Total book, with the absolutely vivid chapter on the Swiss, their pikemen and Ascendancy etc., but this gets a 3.8 rating while the INCOMPLETE volume without the analysis of rapid light infantry thruway and the tactics of Leo and the Strategicon of Maurice scores over a 4.2

Sir Charles Sultanate of oman writes some of the all-time English linguistic communication paragraphs to appointment, whatsoever appointment. Cheque this one out:

"The strength of the armies of Philip and John of Valois was composed of a fiery and undisciplined aristocracy, which imagined itself to be the near efficient military force in the globe, merely was in reality little removed from an armed mob. A organisation which reproduced on the battlefield the distinctions of feudal society, was considered by the French noble to represent the ideal form of warlike system. He firmly believed that, since he was infinitely superior to whatever peasant in the social calibration, he must consequently excel, him to the same extent in armed services value. He was, therefore, prone not merely to despise all descriptions of infantry, just to regard their advent on the field against him equally a species of insult to his class-pride. The self-confidence of the French dignity -- shaken for the moment by the effect of Courtray -- had reasserted itself after the encarmine days of Mons-en-Puelle and Cassel. The fate which had on those occasions befallen the gallant simply ill-trained burghers of Flanders, was believed to be only typical of that which awaited any foot-soldier who dared to lucifer himself confronting the chivalry of the well-nigh warlike aristocracy in Christendom. Pride goes before a autumn, and the French noble was now to meet infantry of a quality such every bit he had never supposed to exist."

Whew, an astounding wordsmith, as informative as information technology is interesting.

This is the sort of war transmission I wish I had as a child, would have answered many of my silly armed services scenario questions.

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Though Oman gives it a good attempt. At that place simply may not be room to give someone used to modern armies any idea of how completely apprentice a mess antique and medieval ones were by comparison. He may indicate out how useless 10,000 burghers may be, except to form a wall of flesh, but he forgets to note that they are a positive burden the 2d they are out of sight from home because you have to come up up with nutrient for them. So this is not thick with the fictitious European "peasant levies" that never exi Though Oman gives it a good effort. There simply may not exist room to requite someone used to modern armies whatsoever thought of how completely apprentice a mess antique and medieval ones were by comparison. He may signal out how useless 10,000 burghers may be, except to form a wall of flesh, but he forgets to note that they are a positive brunt the 2d they are out of sight from home considering y'all have to come up up with food for them. So this is not thick with the fictitious European "peasant levies" that never existed, except as a fossil of law that created a means to tax peasants to support a war when legal systems of taxation barely existed.

On the whole, a goodish introduction to the subject field, after which you can get hold of Hans Delbrueck on the subject. Most modern writers, being stuffed total of legalisms with no existent idea of the logistics of a pre-mechanized army or navy, are non as good. Every bit well, his writing is clear, not out to impress yous but inform you lot, with an appreciation for the grim sense of humour of some situations.

"Goose egg could evidence the archaic state of the military art better than the fact that generals solemnly sent and accepted challenges to come across in boxing at a given place and on a given twenty-four hours. Without such precautions there was apparently a danger lest the armies should lose sight of each other, and stray abroad in dissimilar directions. When maps were non-existent, and geographical knowledge both scanty and inaccurate, this was no inconceivable event. Even when two forces were actually in presence, it sometimes required more than skill than the commanders endemic to bring on a boxing."

If you don't want to look for the "read on-line" page to load, here's the TOC:

Chapter I. THE TRANSITION FROM ROMAN TO MEDIAEVAL FORMS IN WAR (A.D. 378-582).
Disappearance of the Legion. Constantine'due south reorganization. The German tribes. Boxing of Adrianople. Theodosius accepts its didactics. Vegetius and the army at the end of the fourth century. The Goths and the Huns. Regular army of the Eastern Empire. Cavalry all-important . . . 3-14

Chapter 2. THE Early Middle AGES (A.D. 476-1066).
Paucity of Data for the menstruation. The Franks in the sixth century. Battle of Tours. Armies of Charles the Cracking. The Franks become horsemen. The Northman and the Magyar. Ascension of Feudalism. The Anglo-Saxons and their wars. The Danes and the Fyrd. Military importance of the Thegnhood. The Business firm- Carles. Battle of Hastings. Battle of Durazzo xv-27

Chapter Iii. THE BYZANTINES AND THEIR ENEMIES (A.D. 582-1071).
one. Grapheme of Byzantine Strategy.
Excellence of the Byzantine Ground forces. Scientific study of the art of war. Leo'south ' Tactica.' Wars with the Frank. With the Turk. With the Slav. With the Saracen. Border warfare of Christendom and Islam. Defence force of the Anatolic Themes. Cavalry as a defensive forcefulness. Professional and unchivalrous character of Byzantine officers . . 28-38
two. Artillery, Arrangement, and Tactics of the Byzantines.
Reorganization of the Regular army of the Eastern Empire By Maurice. Its composition. Armament of the Horseman, A.D. 600-l000. Armament of the Infantry. Military Train and Engineers. The Officers. Cavalry tactics. Leo's ideal line of battle. Armed forces Machines and their importance . . 38-48

CHAPTER IV.THE SUPREMACY OF FEUDAL CAVALRY (A.D. 1066-1346).
Unscientific nature of feudal warfare. Consequences of caput-long charges. Tactical arrangements. Their primitive nature. Not-existence of strategy. Weakness of Infantry. Attempts to introduce subject field. Rise of Mercenaries. Supreme importance of fortified places. Ascendency of the defensive. The Mediaeval siege. Comeback of the Arts of Attack and Defence of fortified places. General graphic symbol. The Crusades ... . 49-61

Chapter V. THE SWISS (A.D. 1315-1515).
i. Their Grapheme, Arms, and Organization.
The Swiss and the Ancient Romans. Excellence of system more important than excellence of generals. The column of pikemen. The halberdier. Rapidity of the movements of the Swiss. Defensive armour. Character of Swiss armies 62-69
2. Tactics and Strategy.
The 'Captains' of the Confederates. The Echelon of iii columns. The 'Wedge' and the 'Hedgehog' formations 70-73
3. Development of Swiss Armed services Supremacy.
Battle of Morgarten. Battle of Laupen. Boxing of Sempach. Boxing of Arbedo. Moral ascendency of the Swiss. Battle of Granson. Battle of Morat. Wars of the last years of the fifteenth century 73-87
four. Causes of the Decline of Swiss Ascendency.
The tactics of the Swiss go stereotyped. The Landsknechts and their rivalry with the Swiss. The Castilian Infantry and the short sword. Battle of Ravenna. Fortified Positions. Battle of Bicocca. Increased employ of Artillery. Boxing of Marignano. Disuse of subject in the Swiss Armies and its consequences 87-95

Chapter VI. THE English language AND THEIR ENEMIES (A.D. 1272-1485).
The Long-bow and its origin, Welsh rather than Norman. Its rivalry with the Cross-bow. Edward I and the Battle of Falkirk. The bow and the motorway. Battle of Bannockburn and its lessons. The_French Knighthood and the English language Archery. Boxing of Cressy Battle of Poictiers. Du Guesclin and the English language reverses. Battle of Agincourt. The French wars, 1415-1453. Battle of Formigny. Wars of the Roses. King Edward Four and his generalship. Barnet and Tewkesbury. Towton and Ferrybridge . 96-123

Chapter Seven. Conclusion.
Zisca and the Hussites. The Waggon-fortress and the tactics depending on it. Ascendency and decline of the Hussites. Battle of Lipan. The Ottomans. Organization and equipment of the Janissaries. The Timariot cavalry. The other nations of Europe. Concluding remarks . . 124-134

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Jan 26, 2016 Carl Phillips rated it it was amazing

Ane of, if not the best, book on medieval military history ever written. The destruction of the widely accepted idea that Europe'south knights being just rich kids on horseback is worth the price of the book. The cracking assay of the downfall of the mounted knight and the ascent of the longbow and the Swiss pike a glorious bonus.

Buy and read information technology immediately if you consider yourself even vaguely interested in medieval military history (or medieval armed services fantasy).

One of, if non the best, book on medieval military history e'er written. The destruction of the widely accepted thought that Europe'due south knights being just rich kids on horseback is worth the price of the book. The bully analysis of the downfall of the mounted knight and the rise of the longbow and the Swiss pike a glorious bonus.

Buy and read it immediately if you consider yourself even vaguely interested in medieval military history (or medieval military fantasy).

...more

May 31, 2012 Coyle rated it actually liked it

Nosotros all know the what war was like in the Eye Ages, right? A agglomeration of rich guys become on horses and meet each other with lances, swords, and axes until one of them tin't whatever more than. And... that's pretty much spot on. But! How did the earth (or at to the lowest degree the West, just come on, that'due south the of import function of the world, right?) come to that state of affairs? How did we get from the Roman regular army -one of the most well-trained, well-equipped, and efficient killing machines always- to an "army" consisting o We all know the what war was like in the Middle Ages, right? A bunch of rich guys get on horses and see each other with lances, swords, and axes until ane of them can't whatever more than. And... that's pretty much spot on. But! How did the world (or at least the West, merely come on, that's the important role of the world, right?) come to that state of affairs? How did we become from the Roman army -1 of the nigh well-trained, well-equipped, and efficient killing machines ever- to an "army" consisting of a few hundred individuals trying to run over each other with horses? The answer to that question is the subject area of C.W.C. Oman's classic The Art of War in the Heart Ages.

And it is deservedly a archetype. Despite only beingness 165 pages long, Oman packs in both a relatively fast-paced narrative (he does embrace almost 1200 years, afterwards all) and lots of interesting details. Also impressive: he wrote what has go the definitive text while an undergrad at Oxford in 1885. [Sigh] I've wasted my life...

As mentioned, the volume covers a 1200-year stretch, ranging from devastation of the last "real" Roman army past heavy cavalry at the Battle of Adrianople (378 A.D.) to the last major victory of heavy cavalry at the battle of Marignano (1515 A.D.). The stretch of time between these two battles saw the rise, dominance, decline, and plummet of armored horsemen on the battleground. Through these centuries developed not only a style of warfare, but an unabridged way of life entirely focused around the idea that cavalry was supreme in the art of state of war.

How did this happen? It began with the size of the Roman Empire and the serial of Ceremonious Wars that plagued the Empire at the end of the Third and outset of the Fourth centuries A.D. For nigh 600 years, the Roman legion (infantry) had been the dominant military machine force in the world. A series of ceremonious wars (which Oman does not discuss) depleted the Roman legions, forcing each successive Emperor (and their challengers) to rely increasingly on barbarian mercenaries (usually cavalry) to fill out the shrinking ranks. This meant that money and training were flowing at a steady pace from Rome to tribes outside its own borders. When the Ceremonious Wars came to a (temporary) end with the accretion of Constantine (303 A.D.), there was so picayune left of the old legions that Constantine only reshaped the army effectually cavalry. This had the dual benefit of utilizing forces already employed by the Empire (though not native Romans) and giving the new army sufficient speed that it could reply to barbaric incursions anywhere in Europe much faster than the quondam infantry-based legions. On the other hand, it meant that 1) Roman citizens no longer filled the ranks of the military, and the loyalty of the army was now only the loyalty of paid mercenaries; 2) even as the barbarian cavalry became increasingly of import and the remaining Roman legions increasingly ignored, ill-trained, and ill-equipped, tactics did non change. Then when the Emperor Valens led the remnants of the Roman regular army (~25,000 men) confronting the Gothic cavalry, he did it as if he were leading the same trim and well-fed legions that Caesar had led confronting the almost naked barbaric horsemen of iv hundred years earlier. The result was the utter destruction of the Roman Army, the opening of the way for the barbarians into the heart of the Western Empire, and the institution of cavalry as the force to be reckoned with on the battleground for over a millennium.

Oman gives three quick surveys of the evolution of warfare. In the first, he talks most the rising of the armed services class (knights, chivalry, and all that) and the concluding devastation of the infantry holdouts in the West (generally in England and Viking nations, all of whom eventually "converted" to cavalry). Ii of the common assumptions of this time are that one) state of war is a thing of hard work and courage, not of any kind of tactics or skill. That is, a single knight with enough boldness tin can only exist stopped by another knight with equal or greater boldness. No foot soldier will ever stand up against a charging armored horseman; 2) those who meet the weather condition of 1) are better (both morally and socially) than those who do not, especially than those who do non fifty-fifty try. So we see in warfare a microcosm of the principles of feudalism (or perhaps vice-versa).

In the 2d survey he discusses the development of war in the Byzantine Empire (on which he has a whole book). Only in this remnant of the Eastern Roman Empire does state of war survive every bit an "art", where it is studied, practiced, and engaged in past professional generals and professional armies. Withal, even here the transition to cavalry is made, though in a more limited and mixed fashion (the Byzantines go along the old Roman artillery, for example, and even expand on it with the invention of Greek fire...).

In the third survey, Oman explores the centuries of the authority of heavy cavalry (roughly 1066-1346). In this time in the West, tactics, organization, and cohesion of big armies are near unknown. "Battle" consists of two armies of heavily armored nobles (and their feudal hangers-on) swell into each other until one side quits and goes home. Endurance and courage become the virtues necessary to win battles. Which means that one) any use of even the most rudimentary tactics usually defeats these Medieval "armies"; 2) if there is whatever chance that sheer difficult fighting will win the 24-hour interval, these Medieval "armies" volition ordinarily overcome. The Crusades -aberrations in Medieval warfare though they are- are remarkable examples of both of these points. Whenever the Muslims had qualified leadership, they won. Whenever it came downwards to who could fight harder or longer, the Crusaders won.

In the final chapters, Oman discusses how the dominance of cavalry in the Middle Ages came to an end. Namely, through the render of infantry. In Switzerland and England two styles of combat arose which utterly defeated the usefulness of the heavily armoured horse on the battleground (Bohemia and the Ottoman armies are briefly discussed as well). The use of the pike and halberd in Switzerland and the apply of the longbow in England (and the war wagon in Bohemia and gunpowder in the Ottoman army) unhorsed the cavalrymen so severely that he has never made a improvement. Oman then discusses how these innovations were themselves made obsolete by the rise of combined artillery and new technologies at the beginning of the Early Modern Era.

Really, this volume was just a please to read. While it may not be for those who aren't interested in military history or the Medieval globe, I found information technology fascinating and worth a second await (the first existence in undergrad, where I may take only skimmed it...). In fact, it'southward good enough that I'm going to keep my eyes open for his longer and more mature 2 volume edition.

In addition to recommending this to Medievalists and military historians, I'd recommend this to anyone who wants to write history. Oman's way is brusk, full, and readable. He conveys a lot of information in a few words without being boring. If more than history books were written like this, we'd have more people interested in history.

Highly recommended.

...more

An excellent introduction to medieval military machine history despite its age. I'thousand providing a breakdown of Oman's work on the subject, since there are books with similar titles:

The Art of War in the Middle Ages - Oman'south starting time book is much shorter than the after ane (effectually 200 pages vs 700). It covers some of the aforementioned fabric as the later version, merely it has sections on the Swiss and the Hussite wars that the later on version lacks.

A History of the Fine art of War in the Eye Ages - I read the first editi

An fantabulous introduction to medieval war machine history despite its age. I'thou providing a breakdown of Sultanate of oman's piece of work on the subject area, since there are books with similar titles:

The Art of War in the Centre Ages - Sultanate of oman's first book is much shorter than the later one (around 200 pages vs 700). Information technology covers some of the same material as the later version, but it has sections on the Swiss and the Hussite wars that the later version lacks.

A History of the Art of War in the Middle Ages - I read the showtime edition of this book which covers the 3rd century to the 14th. There are afterwards editions that were revised past Oman in the 1920s and other scholars in the 50s and 70s. These include a lot more content about the belatedly middle ages such as coverage for Eastern Europe, the Ottomans, gunpowder weapons, and the Wars of the Roses, etc.

...more

Jul eighteen, 2020 Dwain rated it liked it

An incredible work, especially considering that the author was and undergrad when he wrote it. Sultanate of oman'south work shows the prejudices of his fourth dimension, and the book'south abiding refrain of the ineptitude of medieval knights is the virtually prominent example. (They were frequently inept but this is far from universal.)

Despite this, information technology is an enjoyable read and a worthwhile one, despite the time that has lapsed since its publishing.

Classic work on the weapons, tactics, and strategy (or lack thereof) of the Middle Ages in Europe. The narrative runs from the battle of Adrianople in 378 A.D. to the battles of the early 16th Century. Transitions from the infantry of the Roman world to feudal cavalry to Swiss phalanx to longbows to gunpowder & fortifications.
Linguistic communication takes some getting used to and Google is handy for Latin and French translations.

A quick primer on warfare in Europe from 350 Ad to 1400 AD. covering all the major changes in Europe from Castilian infantry and gunners to the Swiss pike men and the English long bow. Likewise a brief section on the Ottoman Turks And the Czech'south. All in all a interesting read, but not extraordinarily special. A quick primer on warfare in Europe from 350 AD to 1400 AD. roofing all the major changes in Europe from Spanish infantry and gunners to the Swiss throughway men and the English long bow. Likewise a brief section on the Ottoman Turks And the Czech's. All in all a interesting read, but non extraordinarily special. ...more

Factual. Answered every question I had.

I could Feel the author sighing in frustration at what accented fuckups equanimous and so many medieval militaries, which was hilarious and interesting

For the corporeality of data, boxing review, sheer information, this book deserve 5 stars, no doubt. Sir Oman covered many middle age battles in a quite short book, in itself quite an accomplishment. There are also a few battle'southward analogy, something missing from many armed forces books even today.

But I gave it but iii stars because I felt throughout it that the writer tried not to expose his noesis on the affair merely to prove his points, namely that the French suck, that cavalry was the main force th

For the amount of information, boxing review, sheer information, this book deserve 5 stars, no uncertainty. Sir Sultanate of oman covered many eye historic period battles in a quite brusk book, in itself quite an accomplishment. At that place are besides a few boxing's analogy, something missing from many armed forces books fifty-fifty today.

But I gave information technology only iii stars because I felt throughout it that the author tried not to betrayal his cognition on the matter simply to prove his points, namely that the French suck, that cavalry was the main force that decided battles, that the Romans were not as corking as the English (really!) and that the people living in Britain during Middle Ages take made more contribution to the art of war than everyone else in Europe. It is a very opinionated book. It is still very interesting for the clear descriptions of many battles and the illustrations in it. Simply be prepared to exist repeated at each chapter how much the French were bad, not only militarily, and that some of his theories have been disproved.

...more

Interessante resoconto sulle strategie di guerra del medioevo. Purtroppo però si parla troppo di strategia e tattica, tralasciando completamente gli effetti della guerra sulla popolazione e sulle città. inoltre fifty'autore sembra eccessivamente ancorato advertizing idee che, a mio modestissimo parere, sembrano un pò azzardate (i cavalieri medievali ed i loro comandanti erano tutti degli imbecille che caricavano sempre in modo insensato, per dire).
Un buon testo per farsi un'idea sui passaggi fondamentali de Interessante resoconto sulle strategie di guerra del medioevo. Purtroppo però si parla troppo di strategia e tattica, tralasciando completamente gli effetti della guerra sulla popolazione e sulle città. inoltre 50'autore sembra eccessivamente ancorato advertizement idee che, a mio modestissimo parere, sembrano united nations pò azzardate (i cavalieri medievali ed i loro comandanti erano tutti degli imbecille che caricavano sempre in modo insensato, per dire).
Un buon testo per farsi un'idea sui passaggi fondamentali delle tattiche di guerra durante fifty'Età Media. ...more than

Written 130 years ago, this volume is a great handbook for agreement the wars and battles of medieval history equally you read nigh them in other books. The author covers strategy and tactics, weapons and weapon systems, the raising and equipping of armies and the employ of mercenaries such as the famed and feared Swiss pikemen. Changing technology results in changing strategy and tactics, with the appearance of firearms the nearly significant of all.

Jan 26, 2008 Brent Lambell rated it it was amazing

This is the book that got me into armed services history. Its a fun and easy read that gives a expert survey of military disharmonize throughout Europe from the night ages to the renaissance. Its far from the perfect historical certificate and has been challenged in some circles simply all the aforementioned, its a fine work worth the read.

Notation: Added to my to-read shelf not considering this is a recommended history, but because it'south not. Obviously he permit his pet theories go in the fashion of the historical tape. I'one thousand still interested because he'southward a source for some science fiction writers who wrote a lot of alternate history. Notation: Added to my to-read shelf not considering this is a recommended history, but because it'south not. Apparently he let his pet theories become in the way of the historical record. I'one thousand yet interested because he's a source for some scientific discipline fiction writers who wrote a lot of alternating history. ...more than

A pleasant and important piece of work in the history of military history; if you're interested in loftier politics, macro events, wars, and material history, this is an essential volume.

Bluntly though, I don't care nigh information technology whatever more. It says almost nothing well-nigh the social world.

A pleasant and of import work in the history of war machine history; if y'all're interested in high politics, macro events, wars, and material history, this is an essential book.

Frankly though, I don't care about it any more than. It says almost nothing most the social earth.

...more

Jul 28, 2011 Andrei rated it liked information technology

The short version, however very interesting view on late Romans and the question on the infantry in late Heart Ages, and surprisingly big-headed towards the French. Worth to take it combined with Hans Delbruck.

May 17, 2012 Chris rated it it was ok

An excellent book, I gave information technology a depression ranking because it is dated.

Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman was a British military historian of the early 20th century. His reconstructions of medieval battles from the fragmentary and distorted accounts left by chroniclers were pioneering. His manner is an invigorating mixture of historical accuracy and emotional highlights, and it makes his narratives, though founded on deep enquiry, ofttimes read as smoothly as fiction, es Sir Charles William Chadwick Oman was a British military historian of the early 20th century. His reconstructions of medieval battles from the bitty and distorted accounts left by chroniclers were pioneering. His way is an invigorating mixture of historical accuracy and emotional highlights, and information technology makes his narratives, though founded on deep research, often read as smoothly as fiction, especially in his History of the Peninsular War. Occasionally, his interpretations take been challenged, especially his widely copied thesis that British troops defeated their Napoleonic opponents by firepower alone. Paddy Griffith, among modern historians, claims the British infantry's subject and willingness to attack were equally of import.

He was built-in in Bharat, the son of a British planter, and was educated at Oxford University, where he studied under William Stubbs. In 1881 he was elected to a Prize Fellowship at All Souls College, where he would remain for the rest of his career.

He was elected the Chichele Professor of modern history at Oxford in 1905, in succession to Montagu Burrows. He was too elected to the FBA that year, serving every bit President of the Majestic Historical and Numismatic societies, and of the Royal Archaeological Institute.

His academic career was interrupted by the Outset World War, during which he was employed by the regime Printing Bureau and Foreign Office.

Sultanate of oman was a Conservative member of Parliament for the University of Oxford constituency from 1919 to 1935, and was knighted in 1920.

He became an honorary fellow of New College in 1936 and received the honorary degrees of DCL (Oxford, 1926) and LL.D (Edinburgh, 1911 and Cambridge, 1927). He died at Oxford.

2 of his children became authors. Son Charles wrote several volumes on British silverware and similar housewares. Girl Carola was notable for her biographies, especially that of Nelson.

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