The Mamluks 1250-1517 (Men-at-Arms) [Paperback]

David Nicolle (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Men-at-Arms | Publication Date: July 29, 1993

In Europe the Mamluks of Egypt are remembered as so-called 'Slave Kings' who drove out the Crusaders from the Holy Land; but they were far more than that. Though its frontiers barely changed, the Mamluk Sultanate remained a 'great power' for two and a half centuries. Its armies were the culmination of a military tradition stretching back to the 8th century, and provided a model for the early Ottoman Empire, whose own armies reached the gates of Vienna only twelve years after the Mamluks were overthrown. This absorbing text by David Nicolle explores the organisation and tactics of these fascinating people.

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, the son of the illustrator Pat Nicolle. He worked in the BBC Arabic service for a number of years, before going 'back to school', gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a doctorate from Edinburgh University. He later taught world and Islamic art and architectural history at Yarmuk University, Jordan. He has written many books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare, and has been a prolific author of Osprey titles for many years. David lives and works in Leicestershire, UK.

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (July 29, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1855323141
• ISBN-13: 978-1855323148
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #487,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > History > Middle East > Syria
  • #65 in Books > History > Military > Uniforms

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Mamluks, August 10, 2002

By 

ignorance is bliss "therazorsedge555" (Tempe, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mamluks 1250-1517 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

Perhaps because of the narrower scope of this title compared to others in the Osprey series, Dr. Nicolle went into greater depth in writing this title. A good overview of the Mamluk state.The Mamluks were slaves taken from pagan populations and trained to be soldiers for Muslim leaders. They ended up overthrowing their ruler in Egypt and establishing their own state there. Mamluks would square off against the Christian crusaders in Syria as well as the Mongols. Minuses: poor maps and the stereotyping mentioned by the other reviewer. Pluses: Artwork and bibliography. One day Osprey will learn to devote at least one or two pages to decent maps!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The legendary slave kings really existed, September 8, 2011

By 

Anibal Madeira (Lisboa Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mamluks 1250-1517 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

Although at the end of their training period they were released, but the basis for the european legend was true. The Mamluks overthrew their Ayyubid rulers and began the Mamluk sultanate.

Professor Nicolle, an extraordinary scholar of this period and islamic history, gives the reader a worthy introduction to the history, daily life, weaponry and armor, hierarchy, etc. Both dinasties are covered (Bahri and Burji Mamluks), so the covered period is almost three centuries.

The Mamluks were divided in categories like the Sultan's own, the Amir's Mamluks, etc, with different pay and serving conditions. Other interesting aspects are the fact that Mamluk armies also had large numbers of free-born warriors (although lower ranked).

The siege warfare is covered including fortifications and the classification of siege engines.

The mamluk military manuals - furusiyah - provide precious information, but probably they're like all other military manuals giving optimum conditions and not always reflecting current practices. Some care must be taken while considering most evidences and claims.

As usual, the immense love of the author for Islamic history leads to some "conclusions" and ideas that are somewhat one-sided. For example multiple references on Christian piracy, forgetting that most were corsairs and Islamic pirates were also prolific in the Mediterranean; better treatment of slaves in the Islamic world, stating that religious rules forbade ill treatment of slaves; well Christians also had rulings forbidding ill treatment of "brothers", that didn't stop many things occurring; having a conviction doesn't mean that someone will obey all directives of said conviction (the slaves destined for war were very well treated, that's true...but the others? There were Islamic slave revolts in medieval Islam; it happened in ancient Europe but never in the medieval period; and the death rate of slaves was huge, that's why they needed so many). In another topic you will find a comment where the author refers that contrary to Christian Knights, the Mamluk didn't need help donning his armor; well knights also didn't need help with their armor when said armor was a mail hauberk for example (it's not particularly hard to don the popular jawshan/lamellar armor of the mamluks)...I would like to see a mamluk trying to get in early XVI cent plate without help.

In a new edition the author should insert a chronology. The art from Angus McBride is very good and this work is well illustrated with photos of architecture and artifacts.

Recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this subjects, September 12, 2009

By 

Luis G from Mexico "Lgea" (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Mamluks 1250-1517 (Men-at-Arms) (Paperback)

These books of the Osprey Series I find them quite informative, and that's good for me to polish my abilities, cause I like to draw exactly this kind of subjects. They present seriously researched reconstructions of the warriors of the period, all based in as much physical evidence (archeological & historical would be better to say) as possible, and as rigorously treated as possible, too. The only pitfall I find in this series is that once you have bought several books dealing around a common subject you will see quite a lot of repeating of the same information: same photographs, same reconstructions, etc. Anyway, as far as my web searches have indicated me, this is THE reference when historical reconstructions of warriors of the past is what you ar looking for. I hope I will polish my abilities as much as needed to be an illustrator of one of this books someday.

And now, specifically dealing with the mamluks, I regret I have to say goodbye to my beloved curved scimitar, because it is simply not sufficiently sustained by evidences. Weird for me to be forced to draw the arabs with straight swords! But the truth is the truth.Armies of the Muslim Conquest (Men-at-Arms)