The Medieval Soldier

A comprehensive overview of barbarian invaders, feudal armies, Knights Templar, and other warriors of the medieval world.

In this detailed history with illustrations included, Vesey Norman outlines the development of the undisciplined barbarian war bands of the Dark Ages into the feudal armies of the early Middle Ages. It deals with the arms and equipment of the soldier, not only from surviving specimens but also from descriptions in contemporary medieval documents. Norman covers the slow development of tactics and the transition of the warrior from a personal follower of a war leader to the knight who served his feudal overlord as a heavily armored cavalryman in return for land.

He details the attitude of the Church to warfare, the rise of chivalry, and the development of the knights of the military orders, the Templars, the Hospitallers, and the Teutonic Knights. He answers such questions as what classes of men made up the army, who commanded them, and how they were equipped, paid and organized. In addition, since armies frequently had to be transported by water, a brief description of contemporary ships is included.