War at Sea in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance - (Warfare in History) by John B Hattendorf & Richard W Unger (Hardcover)

About the Book

The role and characteristics of armed force at sea in western Europe and the Mediterranean prior to 1650.

Book Synopsis

The role and characteristics of armed force at sea in western Europe and the Mediterranean prior to 1650.

This volume is both a restatement of current interpretations of sea power in the middle ages and the Renaissance and a general introduction to naval and maritime history over four and a half centuries. The book offers broad conclusions on the role and characteristics of armed force at sea before 1650, conclusions that exploit the best current understanding of the medieval period. The examination of naval militias in the Baltic, permanent galley fleets in the Mediterranean, contract fleets and the use of reprisal for political ends all illustrate the variety and complexity of naval power and domination of the sea in theyears from 1000 to 1650.
The detailed and closely coordinated studies by scholars from Europe, North America, and Australia show patterns in war at sea and discuss the influence of the development of ships, guns, and the language of public policy on maritime conflict. The essays show theimportance and unique character of violence at sea in the period.

Contributors: JOHN B. HATTENDORF, NIELS LUND, JAN BILL, TIMOTHY J. RUNYAN, IAN FRIEL, JOHN H. PRYOR, LAWRENCE V. MOTT, JOHN DOTSON, MICHEL BALARD, BERNARD DOUMERC, MARCO GEMIGNANI, FRANCISCO CONTENT DOMINGUES, LOUIS SICKING, JAN GLETE, N.A.M. RODGER, RICHARD W. UNGER.

Review Quotes

An absorbing and important volume.-- "ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW"

Old records and modern technology have been brought to bear with notable effect... revisionist and inspirational, it will certainly add a great deal to current knowledge and do much to direct investigations in this field for a long time to come.-- "BIBLIOTHEQUE D'HUMANISME ET RENAISSANCE"

The individual essays without exception are admirable pieces of scholarship.-- "INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MARITIME HISTORY"

The Introduction by Hattendorf is a must-read for all naval historians.... But the real value of this work is in the overall picture created by the component parts: that of a period in which many different forms of war at sea existed outside the traditional historical interpretation of 'naval war'.-- "HISTORY"

Worthy of a place on the bookshelves of any serious naval or maritime historian.-- "DE RE MILITARI"