French Armies of the Hundred Years War : 1328-1429 (Men-At-Arms Series, 337) [Paperback]

David Nicolle (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Men-at-Arms | Publication Date: February 15, 2000

The fourteenth and fifteenth centuries were a time of great upheaval for medieval France. In 1328 the Capetian line came to an end. This was the trigger for the Hundred Years War (1337-1453) as successive English kings attempted to uphold their claim to the French throne. Catastrophic defeats at Crécy and Poitiers shook the French kingdom to its core. A period of respite followed under Bertrand du Guesclin, but an even more devastating assault was to follow, under the warrior-king par excellence Henry V, and the French disintegration continued until 1429. This book details how the French began a recovery, partly triggered by the young visionary Joan of Arc, that would end with them as the major European military power.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Packed with specially commissioned artwork, maps and diagrams, the Men-at-Arms series is an unrivalled illustrated reference on the history, organisation, uniforms and equipment of the world's military forces, past and present.

About the Author

David Nicolle was born in 1944 and was educated at Highgate School. For eight years he worked in the BBC Arabic Service. In 1971 he went 'back to school', gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies and a PhD from Edinburgh University. For some years he taught art and architectural history at Yarmuk University, Jordan. David has written many Osprey titles, including MAA 140 Armies of the Ottoman Turks, MAA 320 Armies of the Caliphates 862–1098, and Campaign 43 Fornovo 1495.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing; First Edition edition (February 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855327104
• ISBN-13: 978-1855327108
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.1 x 9.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,074,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lot of History Covered, April 19, 2003

By 

Dean M. Motoyama (Puyallup, WA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: French Armies of the Hundred Years War : 1328-1429 (Men-At-Arms Series, 337) (Paperback)

This book is a great overview of the period covered; however I think it was a bit over-industrious to sqeeze so much into one book (the normal Men-At-Arms size, that is). I think keeping it to the early period (up to Poitiers or Najera) and a separate one for the Agincourt/Joan of Arc period would've been better. McBride, master illustrator that he is, kind of disappointed me with his renditions of both du Guesclin and the Maid. Joan was shown in a dress! It still has good illustrations of the armor of the average man at arms and "lowly" infantry types, though.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book, July 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: French Armies of the Hundred Years War : 1328-1429 (Men-At-Arms Series, 337) (Paperback)

This lavishly illustrated and meticulously researched Osprey Men-At-Arms book is a concise, yet informative study of the composition and tactics of French armies of the Hundred Years War. My only complaint is that the author has not gone to the same extent as Nicholas Michael (Armies of Medieval Burgundy, 1364-1477) in covering the compagnies d'ordonnances. Aside from this fault, this book is a great introduction to a subject that has long been neglected by Osprey publishing.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glorious Angus McBride Plates, December 21, 2007

By 

K. Murphy "Fortune favors the Bold" (The thriving metropolis of Masury, OH) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: French Armies of the Hundred Years War : 1328-1429 (Men-At-Arms Series, 337) (Paperback)

The union of David Nicolle's knowledge of medieval military history and the late Angus McBride's great skill as an illustrator have produced a myriad of excellent Osprey titles, but for the plates alone I would claim this as one of my favorites.

The plates portray all facets of the French military of the time, the knights, common soldiers, artillery, and mercenaries. Several famous (or infamous) characters of the Hundred Year's War, among them Jeanne d'Arc, Bertrand du Guesclin, and Jean de Bethencourt, are marvellously illustrated as they put on their armor, command their troops, etc. Plate E's redition of a contemporary Basque warrior is also quite interesting.

The text of course, is detailed and greatly informative, although a tiny bit dull in a few places. The section on the changing French tactics over the course of the war is particularly useful. Overall, this is an essential source for a student of the Hundred Year's War, a conflict that has overall been well presented by Osprey Military Publishing.