The evolution of warfare and weapons in England from the time of the Anglo-Saxon invasions to the founding of the first modern army is skillfully surveyed in this study, which features early two hundred authentically detailed, but clear and uncomplicated, line drawings.

Sword , crossbow, longbow, halberd, pike, and pistol; battering ram, catapult, and cannon-the variety of weapons in matched by descriptions and illustrations of the men who wielded them, and of castles, forts, and battle strategies. Both author and iillustrator are experts on arms and armour. In relaxed, easy fashion they share witht he reader their knowledge of military history and architecture, as well as their enthusiasm for medieval engineering, bold knights, and the common bowmen and pikemen who provided the real strength of England's armies.

Here is exact information on how castles-with and without moats-were built, attacked, and defended; and what it was really like to be poleaxed. Here one can find out how to use a brass-feathered 'gun-arrow' and why a fourteenth-centruy knight so often wore old-fashioned thirteenth-century armour.

Henry VIII, more generally known for his half-dozen wives, is seen here in his role of military innovator, restocking the royal armouries with light armour, handguns, and cannon, and starting a gun foundry in the tower. The 'floating gun-batteries' he farsightedly ordered became the base of England's permanent navy, which served his daughter Elizabeth well in the war with Spain. The modern standing army as it emerged in Cromwell's time-infantry, cavalry, and artillery--is also fully covered.

Important battles, tournaments, jousts, Renaisssance pageantry, even that 'mounted ballet' known as the carousel (lve ancestor of the modern merry-go-round), in which the chivalric era nostalgically expired, are vividly protrayed in word and picture.

A.V.B. Norman, a speciaist in arms and armour, is assistant to the Director of the Wallace Collection in London. He is also the author of Arms and Armour, and was formerly Assistant Curator in the Scottish United Services Museum.

Don Pottinger, the artist, is Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms to the Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms. He has collaborated on and illustrated four other historical works.

Contents

Preface
The invaders
Chivalry
The Twelfth century
The Thriteenth century
The Fourteenth century
The first half of the Sixteenth century
The second half of the Sixteenth century
The Seventeenth century up to 1660
Appendix The making of an armour
Index

"English Weapons and Warfare 449-1660" is another foray into the field of military history led by the productive author A.V.B. Norman. I have several of his books on the medieval soldier, his equipment, and tactics and have found them all entertaining and somewhat illustrative. This book is no different in quality from his previous works.
In this book, Mr. Norman takes an unusual approach in that he chose to cover the time period of the title in chapters that are sub-divided into 4 uniform areas. Starting in the Saxon period, and ending in the late 17th century, the content is labeled pertaining either to organization, arms and armor, tactics and strategy, and finally castles and cannons. Each section is labeled with an icon to let the reader know that he is crossing a definite boundary on his journey through that particular time period. It is a very useful tool.
This work is well illustrated and filled with Mr. Norman's considerable knowledge of the subject on hand. I had actually gleaned a couple of pieces of insight that I had previously not known (or had forgotten). All in all, a good book, probably a bit on the novice side of study, but useful nonetheless. ( )

Although serious dated, this survey of the weapons, armor, organization, and tactics of English Armies from the Norman Invasion to the English Civil War is still a sound read on the subject. Though it fails to give much notice to the pre-Norman period (it really begins with the period shortly before the invasion) and doesn't offer much better information than that to be found in Osprey books (and with less pretty color pictures), the book is still succint and to the point even if rather short. ( )