Feudal Warfare & The Renaissance of the Military Art Major Rascon

SOURCES Jones, The Art of War in the Western World, pp. 102-122, 134-141 Preston and Wise, Men In Arms, pp. 65-97 Keegan, The Face of Battle, pp. 79-116

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Trace the development of the Franks and the Battle of Tours Know Charlemagne and the beginning of Feudalism Comprehend the Battle of Hastings Know the influence of religious and technological factors on the Crusades Trace the decline of mounted knights, calvary and crossbow and the emergence of the longbow, pike and gunpowder

The Franks Germanic group Moved into Roman Gaul around 460 a.d. after the victory Initially primitive but effective infantry force Weapons included javelins, swords, daggers and battle axes

FRANKISH DYNASTY The King continued his reign by only allowing his son to rule after him. This established a society of noblemen and commoners or peasants                                                                                  

Charles Martel Nicknamed “Hammer” Granted land in exchange for support Defeated Muslims at Tours, halting the Muslim advance.

BATTLE OF TOURS 732 Muslims moving West from Spain Hammer’s infantry and cavalry vs Muslim infantry Stalemate until Moslem emperor was killed. Defeat effectively ended the Moslem advance

King Charlemagne Hammer’s Grandson Crowned Holy Roman Emperor First Roman on the throne in 300 years Feudalism, Christ and Calvary

FEUDALISM Vassalage- a system where land is offered in return for protection or service. Charlemagne required newly conquered lands to provide soldiers to his army dependent on the size of the area of the townships. Similar to electoral votes, soldiers instead of senators.

Frankish Cavalry Calvary increased under Charlemagne Stirrup introduced in early 800s Began shift in focus that ended with cavalry as the primary arm by 900 Now the Knight rode an armored horse into battle

The Fall of Charlemagne After his death his empire fell, partly because of a civil war among the people Mostly due to a three direction raid by the Arabs, the Magyars, and The Vikings The Vikings (Normans) became the dominant power in the land

WILLIAM THE CONQUERER King of the Normans Crowned on his 18th birthday Worked a deal with his cousin, King Edward of England, to succeed him on the throne of England but the people chose Harold of Essex so…

BATTLE OF HASTINGS 1066 William the Conqueror Normans considered best horsemen 12 K Calvary 20 K infantry Harold of Essex Had a foothold and fortification 25 k infantry

BASICS OF HASTINGS Crossbow developed Penetrated knights armor Harold countermarches to meet William Normans under William destroyed the English due to calvary and archers shooting “plunging fire” Crossbow developed Penetrated knights armor Required transition from chain mail to armor

CRUSADES 1095-1274 TO RID THE “HOLY LANDS” OF THE CONTROL OF MOHAMMED AND THE MOSLEMS 8 CRUSADES IN TOTAL MUCH DEATH

Richard I “LIONHEART” Set out to recover Jerusalem Developed new defensive tactic to deal with horse archers Pikes in front Ranks of crossbowmen Offensive Combined-arms task organization Delayed action to train together Sea-based logistics Light-fighters Contingency plan

Demise of Feudalism Used long pikes to withstand the calvary charge Halberd- weapon designed to unseat the horsemen Longbow- twice as powerful as crossbow

GUNPOWDER Changed castle warfare forever Invention of the cannon Castle walls crumbled under cannonball fire Most castles reduced to ruble Video-8min (Feudal SOG)                                                           

Horsemen Undone Heavier armor to withstand the blow of a high powered arrow Too heavy- lost mobility if knocked off the horse Heavy Calvary horse carried 150 pounds plus rider and armor

SUMMARY FRANKS MARTEL/TOURS CHARLEMAGNE CRUSADES WILLIAM BATTLE OF HASTINGS KNIGHTS ARMOR WEAPONS

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