Medieval Scandinavian Armies (2): 1300-1500 (Men-at-Arms) (v. 2) [Paperback]

David Lindholm (Author), Angus McBride (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Men-at-Arms | Publication Date: October 22, 2003

While Scandinavia's 'Viking Age' is one of the most studied aspects of early medieval history, much less has been published about the centuries which followed. Yet the armies of Sweden, Norway and Denmark offer fascinating differences from the rest of medieval Western Europe, both in their organisation and their war gear. This second of two books covers the period which saw both expansion in the Baltic, and long wars born of the attempt to bring Scandinavia under a single monarchy - the Union of Kalmar. In the North, as elsewhere, the perfection of plate armour could not prevent the steady decline in the importance of the 15th century mounted knight in favour of the well armed infantryman.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Wargamers, modellers and historians can all find something to appeal to their particular Interest.

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 48 pages
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (October 22, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841765066
• ISBN-13: 978-1841765068
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 0.2 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: #1,538,105 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction for a "forgotten" period of Scandinavian History, January 27, 2012

By 

Anibal Madeira (Lisboa Portugal) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Medieval Scandinavian Armies (2): 1300-1500 (Men-at-Arms) (v. 2) (Paperback)

Those armies fought the Baltic crusades, commercial wars related to trade routes and the Hanseatic League, unification wars and also expansion and colonial wars. It is a period where new nobility raised through service to the king diminish the power of the landed nobles, where propaganda is used for political and military purposes (using the Ting and churches for gathering support and vilifying the opponents). Yet, this period is almost unknown and unmentioned in History books, not having a single mention about it in most European and North American school manuals.

The tactics and military organization of the period developed into the armed militia constituting blocks in tight formation, favoring weapons like pole arms and crossbows. Although in primitive forms, artillery was being introduced and spread. Fortifications were still smaller then southern European ones (for example Queen Margaret of Denmark forbade the construction of strong defenses except if they belonged to the crown).

This is an extremely interesting period, and essential to understand the century following the scope of this book: The Scandinavian "revival" of the 17th century.

With a chronological chart, excellent pictures of artifacts (including the famous Visby skull still wearing a mail coif, the magnificent surviving Greenland textiles, and many other magnificent finds) and good color plates illustrated by Angus McBride, this is a fine introduction to a subject that has very few published books (considering that it was wrote in 2003).

List of Plates:
The early 14th century;
Last stand of the Gotland Militia - Visby 1361;
Iceland, late 14th century; Sweden, early 15th cent;
Swedish Finland, mid 15th cent;
The Battle of Brunkenberg, 1471;
Northern Sweden 15th cent, early 16th.

I recommend reading the "first part" (with the same title) relating to the period between 1100 and 1300 before taking on the present article. It will help giving the reader a smooth idea of how weapons, armor, organization and tactics evolved in medieval Scandinavia throughout the medieval period.

4.0 out of 5 stars gut mit Schwächen, September 10, 2010

By 

Konrad Stein "El viejo lobo." (Hettstedt) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Medieval Scandinavian Armies (2): 1300-1500 (Men-at-Arms) (v. 2) (Paperback)

Hier gilt im Gunde mein Urteil, was ich für Band 1 bereits anführte. Mit der Einschränkung, dass die Quellenlage für den vorgegebenen Abschnitt ergiebiger ist. Da das Heft insgesamt stimmig ist, gibt es vier statt drei Sterne.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Scandinavian Warriors, April 6, 2007

By 

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

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Medieval Scandinavian Armies (2): 1300-1500 (Men-at-Arms) (v. 2) (Paperback)

A fine introduction and an essential companion for the first volume and for the Baltic Crusades title; usual awesome plates.