Fighting Techniques of the Medieval World: Equipment, Combat Skills and Tactics [Hardcover]

Despite a misleading title and some dubious choices of artwork, this is a pretty sound book. Like the earlier "Fighting Techniques of the Ancient World" there really isn't any discussion of actual fighting techniques. About as close as the authors get is a brief discussion of the adoption of the couched lance. Rather than a book about the techniques used in medieval fighting this is a solid but unremarkable book about medieval warfare.

The text of the book is excellent, with large chapters on infantry, mounted warfare, command and control, siege warfare and naval warfare. Rather than trying too officiously to isolate these elements, the chapters are woven around accounts of battles and campaigns that illustrate important points. This works rather well.

Descriptions of individual battles are accompanied by simple but well drawn colour maps. These, and a few medieval pictures are the high point of the illustrations. The majority of the illustrations are modern line drawings. These are OK, but are not great. For example, the illustration of the huscarl on page 18 has a shield without any arm straps, a hauberk significantly shorter than those shown on the Bayeux tapestry and a helmet nasal inside the brow band, which is a good way to get a broken nose.

The modern drawing are, however, vastly better than the significant number of 19th century paintings of medieval warfare (including the cover picture). It mystifies me as to why authors continue to use such pictures. While they may tell us a great deal about attitudes in the 19th century, they are a source of serious misinformation about the medieval period. I would far rather see a blank page than a picture that makes Hollywood's portrayal of the middle ages look accurate.

This brings me to one last picture, which truly boggles the mind. It is the line drawing of a "Viking" on page 221. He is wearing the obligatory Hollywood fur shawl, something that looks like Snoopy's flying helmet, has one long sleeve and one short sleeve on his tunic, a belt without a buckle and is holding a shield (that would snap his arm if it was struck) by putting his arm through two cupboard handles! I am pretty sure that this is a modified version of a picture that I first saw over thirty years ago in a Boys Own Paper style of history book. In any case it is completely unacceptable in a serious historical work, even a popular one. Most of the authors are academics. Honestly guys, if one of your undergraduates presented something so amateurish, you would tear strips off them. Why did you think it was acceptable for you to do it? It is a real blot on an otherwise solid book.

If you want a sound introductory book on medieval warfare, then this fits the bill. However, take the illustrations with a grain of salt, and certainly don't expect any actual fighting techniques to be described.

Stephen Hand

Author, English Swordsmanship, Medieval Sword and Shield

Editor, Spada, SpadaII

I honestly found this book to be a disappointment. I expected a more thorough examination of "combat skills, and tactics." Unfortunately it is more a discussion of the various arms of a medieval army, infantry (which includes archers & gunners), cavalry, sappers (siege engines), and ships. There were various discussions of select battles and how each of these arms were used to win or lose the battle. There was a good discussion of tactics, but almost none of skills. The modern artwork is excellent. The line drawings were incredibly clear and accurate and quite informative. The color paints of the battles were excellent. The 19th artwork was an embarrassment. It was well written and a decently enjoyable read. The authors are clearly informed on the subject that they wrote about. But, what they wrote about isn't "combat skills."

As a navy officer with a degree in history and with thorough knowledge of medieval naval warfare, especially naval warfare in northern waters, I was deeply disappointed with chapter 5 -"Naval Warfare". Amongst other incorrect statements it says that there are only two fleet actions known from the Viking Age (in 1044 and 1062). The reality is that almost every major battle in Norway during the Viking age was fought at sea. Famous ones include the Battle of Hafrsfjord in 872 (according to tradition; probably it took place somewhat nearer 890) where King Harald Finehair defeated a number of lesser earls and chieftains resulting in him becoming the first king of Norway. Another very famous battle is the Battle of Svolder in 999 or 1000. In this battle an enormous Swedish/Danish fleet won against the royal fleet of King Olav Tryggvason of Norway. In Norway fleet actions was the essential form of warfare throughout the Viking age and remained so at least until late in the 14th century. Examples from the High Medieval times include the battle of Fimreite in 1184 where the usurper king Sverre annihilated the fleet of king Magnus causing horrendous casualties.
That this book is severely erroneous or ill researched with regards to naval warfare leads me to think that most likely the rest of the book has the same level of accuracy (or rather lack of such).

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