Medieval Mercenaries, The Great Companies (Volume I) [Hardcover]

Kenneth Fowler (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0631158863 | ISBN-13: 978-0631158868 | Publication Date: February 16, 2001 | Edition: Volume I

This is the first book devoted exclusively to the history of 'The Great Companies', an assembly of mercenaries drawn from different European countries who came together to fight in the second half of the 14th century, sometimes in the employ of kings, the pope, princes or city republics, but frequently fighting on their own account.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This book will surely stand as the standard history of the companies for generations to come" American Historical Review

"Fowler provides a thoroughly researched ... examination of military politics." CHOICE

"If readers desire the details of a ten year period in which mercenary companies conducted a reign of terror west of the Rhine and north of the Alps, they will not do better than this account." Journal of Military History

"This book is solidly based on archival research. Fowler has consulted manuscript sources in depositories ranging from Perugia to Edinburgh ... This enables him to assemble, for the first time, a detailed and accurate picture of the movement of bodies of men whose military prowess played an important role in virtually every major sector of combat in this highly confused decade ... anyone working on this central phase of the Hundred Years War will have to consult this study ..." History

"This book draws upon several decades of work and utilizes the entire range of evidence available: modern scholarship, and printed and manuscript sources. This book will surely stand as the standard history of the companies for generations to come. Frequent, excellent, full-page maps help greatly." Book Review Digest

From the Back Cover

France, Spain and Italy were the scene of almost constant warfare during the second half of the fourteenth century. By that time the armies of the kings, princes and city republics were raised by contract and paid. With the cessation of hostilities between England and France in 1360, many captains maintained their retinues to serve other employers, failing which they combined together to make war on their own account.

This first volume deals with the activities, mainly in France and Spain, of a large number of the soldiers who were demobilized after the conclusion of peace, and who came together to form the 'Great Companies'. The author places their activities in the political and diplomatic framework of the times, highlighting their ambitions and those of the rulers who employed them.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; Volume I edition (February 16, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0631158863
• ISBN-13: 978-0631158868
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,589,991 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:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Companies by Fowler, April 18, 2007

By 

Evan C. Ellis (Lake Charles, LA.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Medieval Mercenaries, The Great Companies (Volume I) (Hardcover)

This book is by far the most detailed and thorough written piece on the history of the routier companies that ravage France in the 14th Century. The work of a scholar, Fowler has done his research. If you are a student of the 100 years war this is a must have for your collection.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great reading on a topic that gets little attention, May 1, 2001

By 

Seth D. Guy (Monroe, GA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medieval Mercenaries, The Great Companies (Volume I) (Hardcover)

This book does an excellent job of detailing the history of the great mercenary bands that roamed Europe selling their swords to the highest bidder. It covers such famous mercs as Sir John Hawkwood, who fought numerous wars in Italy under the nom de guerre Giovanni Acuto and who receives a name check in Machiavelli's the Prince. The author also examines the effects of these companies, and how the mercenaries' influence gradually lessened with the advent of nationalism and levee en masse.