By Sword and Fire - Cruelty And Atrocity In Medieval Warfare

A vivid and original account of warfare in the Middle Ages and the cruelty and atrocity that accompanied it. Sean McGlynn investigates the reality of medieval warfare. For all the talk of chivalry, medieval warfare routinely involved acts which we would consider war crimes. Lands laid waste, civilians slaughtered, prisoners massacred: this was standard fare justified by tradition and practical military necessity. It was unbelievably barbaric, but seldom uncontrolled. Such acts of atrocity were calculated, hideous cruelties inflicted in order to achieve a specific end. Sean McGlynn examines the battles of Acre and Agincourt, sieges like Beziers, Lincoln, Jerusalem and Limoges as well as the infamous chevauchees of the Hundred Years War that devastated great swathes of France. He reveals how these grisly affairs form the origin of accepted ''rules of war'', codes of conduct that are today being enforced in the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

About the author

Sean McGlynn is the author of THE INVASION OF ENGLAND 1216 and contributed to the CASSELL ATLAS OF THE MEDIEVAL WORLD. He is a regular contributor to HISTORY TODAY, HISTORY REVIEW, ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW and many academic journals.

Summary

For all the talk of chivalry, medieval warfare routinely involved acts that we would consider war crimes. Lands laid waste, civilians slaughtered, prisoners massacred: this was standard fare justified by tradition and military necessity. This popular history examines the battles of Acre and Agincourt; sieges like Béziers, Lincoln, Jerusalem, and Limoges; and the infamous chevauchées of the Hundred Years War that devastated great swathes of France. A vivid, all-encompassing portrait of war in the Middle Ages.

Product details

• Authors: Sean McGlynn, McGlynn Sean
• Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 20.08.2009
• EAN: 9780304366958
• ISBN: 978-0-304-36695-8
• No. of pages: 336
• Dimensions: 136 mm x 214 mm x 30 mm
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > 20th century (up to 1945); Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political science and political administration; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Security (National & International), First World War, HISTORY / Military / General, HISTORY / Europe / General, c 1914 to c 1918 (including WW1), c 1914 to c 1918 (World War One period), Other Warfare & Defence Issues, Other warfare and defence issues, HISTORY / Wars & Conflicts / World War I