English Armies in France During the Hundred Years’ War, 1337–1453 offers a detailed account of England’s military presence in France. Rather than concentrating solely on celebrated battles, Peter Hoskins examines how soldiers were recruited, how campaigns were sustained, what life was like in garrisons, and the practical experiences of men serving in the field.
The book effectively explains the systems used to assemble, provision, and support armies operating overseas. These discussions reveal the remarkably extensive organisation that underpinned England’s military achievements during the Hundred Years’ War.
Ten specially commissioned, full-page colour plates depict the range of troops found in the army, from commanders to the lowliest foot soldiers. These plates really ‘pop’, providing a superb visual guide to the army’s composition, and each is supported by its own commentary. Hidden towards the back of the book is another piece of original artwork: a French hand gunner lurking behind his pavise – what else? Finally, there are a couple of contemporary colour images taken from fifteenth-century scrolls, along with a dizzying number of black-and-white photographs of surviving and reproduction arms, armour, and weaponry. All this splendid imagery is underpinned by solid research, making the volume approachable for the general reader while retaining its value for dedicated students of medieval warfare.
I strongly recommend this book as a worthy contribution to the A Time of Knights series.
ISBN: 978-1-804519-97-4 157 Pages Paperback
