European Medieval Tactics 1: The Fall and Rise of Cavalry 450–1260

Osprey Elite #185

by David Nicolle, Adam Hook (Illustrator)

Osprey's elite title on the rise and fall of European medieval cavalry during an 800 year period. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire there was a decline in professional cavalry forces, and infantry dominated in the Germanic successor barbarian kingdoms. In the Carolingian and Norman periods from the 9th to the 11th centuries, under the impact of Viking, Saracen and Magyar advances, the cavalry arm gradually expanded from the small remaining aristocratic elite. Even so, the supposedly complete dominance of the knight in the 12th and 13th centuries is grossly exaggerated, as integrated cavalry and infantry tactics were nearly always the key to success.

This is the first in a two-part treatment of medieval tactics, covering developments in both cavalry and infantry tactics. Throughout the period there was a steady evolution of training in both individual and unit skills, of armor and weapons, and thus of tactics on the battlefield. This book covers key moments in this story of evolution from Hastings in 1066 to Legnano in 1176. It also details the later development of cavalry versus cavalry tactics and the two key set piece battles of Bouvines in 1214 and Pelagonia in 1259, the former an example of abject failure of cavalry tactics and the latter a stunning success.

Genres: History, Medieval, Military History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Medieval History, Historical

64 pages, Paperback

First published June 21, 2011

About the author

David C. Nicolle is a British historian specialising in the military history of the Middle Ages, with a particular interest in the Middle East.

Reviews

[Rindis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick guide to early Middle Ages tactics; as such, there are pieces I knew already, and pieces that echo other books I've read. However, it's all put together here very well. David Nicolle is one of my favorite Osprey authors, and he does not disappoint here.

This is technically part of the Elite line, and follows the general format. However, instead of the usual eight full-color plates of various soldiers of the period, they are all bird's eye views of various battles in progress, that illustrate things very well indeed (part of one of these is on the front cover), accompanied with a decent 1/3rd page description of the action. Also, there are another seven battles given a traditional black-and-white schematic illustrative treatment. In part thanks to the period, while I'm already familiar with some of the battles, many I don't know, or don't even know as much as the little given in the book tells me.

In all, it really brings together its subject well (especially the earlier parts) and brings things into better focus. I will have to get more of the books in the Battle Tactics line that Osprey has been publishing lately.

[Jur · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt this one was unfocussed, covering too long a period and too large an area and therefor not satisfying in depth. I still keep wondering how these battles were actually fought and how command and control were exercised.

The maps and battle scenes are interesting, as always, but not always connected to the text.

Disappointed.

[Steven Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This slender Osprey volume shows an author with great awareness and knowledge4 of military tactics from 450 to 1260. The title emphasizes cavalry, but the book also considers other units, including infantry and archers, for example. The geographic scope is expansive--from England and Scotland and Ireland and Wales to the Scandinavian realm to western, central and eastern Europe to the Middle East and so on.

One theme is the alleged centrality of cavalry and the varying tactics across the geographic range. The author also raises questions about overemphasis on cavalry. One strength of the book is diagrams of battles illustrating tactics in combat. The depictions provide a way of giving the reader a good sense of the dynamics of battle (e.g., battles at Catraeth [600], Lech [955], Hastings [1066], Bremule [1119], and so on).

While the author is extraordinarily well versed (as far as I can tell), the actual narrative is wearying. Fact after fact, description after description, short snippets from varying regions,. makes this a sometimes challenging read.

Still and all, in the end I learned a great deal from this work, a part of Osprey's "Elite" series. And that is a real contribution.

[Stephen Ede-Borrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

An incredibly disappointing book - at least so far as its relevance to the title. There is actually VERY little here about tactics - yes, there is some but not much. The book is mainly a BRIEF outline overview of the development of armies with a lot about strategy and grand strategy. There are some highly contentious statements made with a certainty that they do not deserve - cavalry 'rode shoulder to shoulder' and moved into contact at the walk and not even at the trot'. Such statements needed covering with a caveat although I would suggest 'shoulder to shoulder' with a lance and shield is physically impossible! If the book had been called 'European Medieval Warfare' it would be a good book - but a book about tactics it is certainly NOT.

[Okan Demir · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the illustrations and such, this book offers a lot and is an easy quick read. Tells you what kind of weapons or tactics were used at a specific point in time. Also, this book is very objective and does not force any agenda upon the reader.

[Matthew Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Osprey book, if a bit hobbled by its self-imposed desire to "fight the myth" of medieval warfare being simplistic by ... pointing out all the limiting factors that meant even a military genius had, ultimately, to remember that combat in this era was ultimately simplistic, no matter how exciting your overall strategic trickery (feints, selection of advantageous ground, the standard set-menu) was.

[Michael Shea · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book assumes you know what a cataphracti is. There is no attempt at summarizing or recapping except on the dust jacket. The drawings are great. The battle maps, could use some modernizing.