NVW3ACFT

This is in many ways a book that has to cover a long stretch of time, and a big area. Unfortunately, there's a lack of detailed sources, except for organization, and that very heavy on legislation, not practice, and a lack of surviving artifacts. A good deal of the artifacts were probably just reused in items we see in volumes dealing in later periods on their second or third use. Given the limitations, several points can be made 1) Carolingian cavalry was not equipped with a stirrup, that came in with the Ottonian reaction to the Viking raids. 2) The Carolingian army was equipped for expansion, and the Carolingian organization and equipment was heavily restructured for better use and more effective defence in the period 950 to 1000 CE. there are good plates, mostly describing the foreign foes of Charlemagne, and a very nice drawing of a fortification at Werla, in Germany. ( )

Nicolle discusses Carolingian armies and contemporary politics in 40 pages. Cavalry becomes somewhat more dominant, which leads to societal changes aimed at supporting the expensive equipment and warrior lifestyle. The realm faces viking, saracen and Magyar threats at the same as their centralized power is declining. Increasing local defences invests more political strength in the hands of local lords, and endless petty wars between the magnates and kings ensue.

Like all Osprey titles, the book contains a lot of illustrations and map. Angus McBrides colorful works are great. ( )