Henry II : a medieval soldier at war, 1147-1189

Author(s)

    • Hosler, John D.

Bibliographic Information

Henry II : a medieval soldier at war, 1147-1189

by John D. Hosler

(History of warfare, v. 44)

Brill, 2007

Available at  / 4 libraries

Search this Book/Journal

Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. [245]-262) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

There are no book-length studies in any language on the military career of King Henry II of England (1154-1189). Historians have generally regarded his warfare as cautious and limited, and the king himself, while noted for his considerable political and legal accomplishments, is not considered one of the great commanders of the Middle Ages. This book reexamines the medieval evidence and situates Henry II within the context of practiced warfare of the twelfth century. It sketches a narrative of his military activities from boyhood to death and examines his use of fortifications, manpower, strategy, tactics, and weaponry in the prosecution of war. The result is a revision of the king's military legacy: far from a passive or disinterested general, Henry II sought to vanquish his foes and expand his empire by way of direct military confrontation and was, in reality, a proficient commander of men.

Table of Contents

List of Maps .. vii Preface .. ix List of Abbreviations .. xi Introduction .. 1 Chapter One Historiography .. 9 Nature of the Military Evidence .. 11 Chronicle Sources .. 14 Record Sources .. 31 Literary Sources .. 33 Chapter Two Henry's Political and Military Career .. 37 Scotland and Wales .. 51 The Continent .. 56 The Conquest of Ireland .. 66 The End of Louis VII .. 76 The Death of Henry the Younger .. 82 The Wars against Philip Augustus .. 88 The End of the Reign .. 98 Chapter Three Military Organization .. 103 The Question of Obligation .. 104 The Matter of the Fyrd .. 113 Mercenaries .. 119 Chapter Four Strategy Tactics, Logistics .. 125 High Medieval Strategy and Henry II .. 125 Battle as Strategy .. 130 Vegetian-Style Campaigns .. 148 Transport and Logistics .. 157 Chapter Five Castles and Siege Warfare .. 171 Fortress Construction .. 171 Castle Strategies .. 176 Siege Warfare .. 182 Castles and Henry II: the 1160s .. 188 Chapter Six The Great Revolt, 1173-1174 .. 195 Main Rebel Attacks .. 199 Henry II's Responses .. 206 The Second Year .. 211 Endgame: the Great Revolt Fails .. 215 Chapter Seven Conclusion: Henry the Soldier .. 221 Appendix 1: Henry Plantagenet's Military Campaigns .. 233 Appendix 2: Laudabiliter .. 237 Maps .. 240 Bibliography .. 245 Index .. 263

by "Nielsen BookData"

Related Books: 1-1 of 1

Details

Page Top