The Normans

Osprey Elite #9

by David Nicolle, David Nicolle

Osprey's study of the Normans during the Middle Ages. Despite the small geographic extent of Normandy its people played a crucial role in the history of the medieval world. Ferocity, boundless energy, cunning and a capacity for leadership were their heritage, to which modern scholars would add supreme adaptability and a simple piety. Their amazing military successes resulted from careful planning, speed of movement, decisiveness, daring and sheer ruthlessness. Added to this was a strong business sense and an appreciation of the value of money. Veteran Osprey author David Nicolle describes the history, arms and armour of the remarkable Normans in this fascinating volume.

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

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 1987

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

[Marcus · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slightly different Osprey Elite volume, as the majority of its content is dedicated to 'geographical' history of Normans - Nicolle starts with the humble beginnings of Normans in Normandy region and proceeds in chronological order with rudimentary walk-through of different areas where Normans and their culture made significant impact. Precious little space is dedicated to the usual topics - equipment, organisation, tactics - although the color plates (excellent as usual) and their descriptions balance things out a little.

All in all, a peculiar little volume and perhaps not what potential readers will expect.

[Dimitri · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relative brevity of the Norman period, ca. 1000-1300, allows for a study in weaponry and tactics that encapsules the larger evolution of Western medieval warfare. It also highlights the varied but incomplete nature of the Norman conquest of the British Isles beyong England proper and the participation of the Sicilo-Normans in the Crusades.

[Anibal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was truly very good when it was published in 1987! In just over 60 pages you would get more information than the one you’ve received regarding the Normans in a general History course (at least in Portugal). In all movies they were the villains and all mentions were related to Britain. Even English historians till the eighties demonstrated animosity toward Normans!

And then David Nicolle published this eye opening book which I’ve read with enthusiasm! The full importance of the Normans came quickly to light with their influence not only in the France-English affair, but also in Italy, Sicily, the principality of Antioch and their relations with other super-powers such as the Byzantine Empire. It was an entire new world!

Obviously this book is dated, and many of the issues that Nicolle debated are now solved and much investigation developed since that time. But this is still a quite useful introduction to the Normans, their political system, the strategic expansionism, their values, their equipment, tactics and fortifications. Even considering some mistakes or debatable interpretations.

There are also images of manuscripts, carvings, line drawings of weapons and fortifications, photographs and other visual sources which are extremely valuable and important for illustrating the author's words regarding influences and the mix heritage of late Italo-Norman armies.

The color plates by Angus McBride are truly astonishing and each figure has references regarding the used sources making them valuable visual resources. They include: A scene inside a castle in early 11th century Normandy (with a Norman Bishop accompanied by a monk addressing a Norman Miles and a Flemish Serjeant; a dramatic double page scene from the battle of Hastings, 1066, where William removes his helmet to prove he is alive and well (this image was the cover of the boxed wargame "War Law", the battle system version of Rolemaster RPG); an inside castle view where an Anglo-Norman Woman is being courted by a squire when an angry Norman knight arrives; the Fall of Normandy showing a Norman knight, a Breton serjeant and a Welsh auxiliary (all late 12th cent.); an Anglo- Norman knight fighting a Gaelic Irish warrior and a Hebridean warrior; an anfibean disembark operation in mid XII th Cent. with a Siculo- Norman knight charging covered by a Sicilian infantry archer and a Neapolitan infantryman; an Italo-Norman nobleman, an extremely protective Siculo- Norman guardsman and a scilian levy staff slinger, all from late XII th cent.;The Normans in the East, where Oshin the Hethoumian, flanked by a Norman ex-Byzantine mercenary, receives an Italo- Norman Crusader; Fighting men from the Principality of Antioch, including a Knight (1268), Norman-French Crusader (c. 1250-60) and a Turcopole (c. 1270); Several forts and fortifications, including Mirville, Abinger and Hedingham; Several Norman Ships, including a mediterranean transport, a Norman-French warship, a Siculo-Norman wargalley, the "Mora" (Duque William's flagship) and profiles of several ships for comparison purposes.

Highly recommended as an introduction to the Norman influence in medieval Europe…and a great artistic display of one of the best military illustrators ever.

[Wai Zin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The quality of Osprey books, which are normally of good quality, depend on the availability of source material.
This book have quite a decent amount of that and thus make it more comprehensive read.

4 stars.

[Michael Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the ninth in Osprey’s “Elite” series, which gives slightly fuller treatment to fighting units and other aspects of military history than the long-established “Men-at-Arms” series -- sixty-four pages instead of forty. I know something about Norman history, so I was curious to see what a volume this size could impart, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Nicolle is an authority in various medieval subjects, and he does a good job summarizing the essential Norman character, exploring their attitudes toward religion, and describing the function of feudalism. The section on the Norman ability to adapt to new conditions and cultures is especially well-written and concise. Most of the volume, of course, deals with the Normans’ preferences in weapons, armor, and tactics, from the simple conical nasal-fitted helmet of the early days in northwestern France to the far more elaborate Byzantine-influenced garments and weapons of the Norman kingdoms in Sicily and Antioch. This also includes Norman innovations in fortifications and conversion, when the necessity arose, to Mediterranean sailors. A better than average work.