English Civil War Fortifications 1642–51

The techniques of European warfare were transformed during the 15th and 16th centuries by the use of gunpowder and by substantial progress in the effectiveness and destructive power of artillery. The series of conflicts in the 1640s, known collectively as the English Civil War, was the first in the British Isles that reflected this new reality. Sieges that aimed at isolating and reducing fortified places became the dominant instrument for prosecuting the war and protective fortifications were vital, for both the besieged as well as the besieger. This title describes how both the Parliamentarians and the Royalists made use of new fortification techniques throughout the course of this conflict.

About the author

Peter Harrington, a native of Manchester, England, is currently the curator of the Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection at the John Hay Library of Brown University, Rhode Island, USA. He is an authority on artists and war and has written extensively on the subject, including British Artists and War: The Face of Battle in Paintings and Prints (1993), as well as organising a number of exhibitions on war art.

Summary

The techniques of European warfare were transformed during the 15th and 16th centuries by the use of gunpowder and by substantial progress in the effectiveness and destructive power of artillery. The series of conflicts in the 1640s, known collectively as the English Civil War, was the first in the British Isles that reflected this new reality. Sieges that aimed at isolating and reducing fortified places became the dominant instrument for prosecuting the war and protective fortifications were vital, for both the besieged as well as the besieger. This title describes how both the Parliamentarians and the Royalists made use of new fortification techniques throughout the course of this conflict.

Product details

• Authors: Peter Harrington, Harrington Peter
• Assisted by: Donato Spedaliere (Illustration), Sarah Sulemsohn Spedaliere (Illustration)
• Publisher: Bloomsbury
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 20.08.2003
• EAN: 9781841766041
• ISBN: 978-1-84176-604-1
• No. of pages: 64
• Dimensions: 184 mm x 248 mm x 7 mm
• Weight: 246 g
• Illustrations: 47 b/w; 11 col
• Series: Fortress; Fortress
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > General, dictionaries; POLITICAL SCIENCE / Security (National & International), Architecture, European History, HISTORY / Military / General, military history, HISTORY / Military / Strategy, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / Stuart Era (1603-1714), HISTORY / Reference, Warfare & defence, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, Military and defence strategy, 16th century, c 1500 to c 1599, Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare), Civil defence, HISTORY / Military / Early Modern Warfare (1500-1800)