Description
Book SynopsisGuy Halsall relates warfare to many aspects of medieval life, economy, society and politics.This book recovers its distinctiveness, looking at warfare in a rounded context in the British Isles and Western Europe between the end of the Roman Empire and the break-up of the Carolingian Empire.
Examining the raising and organization of early medieval armies and looks at the conduct of campaigns, the survey also includes a study of the equipment of warriors and the horrific experience of battle as well as an analysis of medieval fortifications and siege warfare.
Warfare and Society in the Barbarian West uses historical and archaeological evidence in a rigorous and sophisticated fashion. It stresses regional variations but also places Anglo-Saxon England in the mainstream of the military developments in this era, and in the process, provides an outstanding resource for students of all levels.
Trade Review'The book succeeds in showing the place of warfare in early medieval societies. It is a definitive statement on the subject, which will not quickly be superceded.' - History - The Journal of the Historical Association
Table of ContentsList of illustrations, Acknowledgements, Maps, 1 Warfare and violence in the early Middle Ages, 2 Warfare and society, 3 Raising an army (1): post-Roman Europe, 4 Raising an army (2): the Carolingian world, 5 Raising an army (3): allies, mercenaries and training the troops, 6 Raising an army (4): the size of armies, 7 Campaigning, 8 Weaponry and equipment, 9 Battle, 10 Fortification and siege warfare, Epilogue, Appendix: Military activity in the Frankish realms, 581–90, Notes, Select bibliography, Index
