The Dutch Army and the Military Revolutions, 1588-1688, Volume 31A magisterial, landmark study of the dramatic reorganizations that transformed the Dutch Army into a disciplined force able to successfully withstand the mighty armies of both Philip II's Spain and Louis XIV's France. The Dutch army is central to all discussions about the tactical, strategic and organisational military revolution of the early modern period, but this is the first substantial work on the subject in English. This book addresses the changes that were effected in the tactics and organisation of the Dutch armed forces between 1588 and 1688. It shows how in the first decades of this period the Dutch army was transformed from an unreliable band of mercenaries into a disciplined force that could hold its own against the might of Spain. Under the leadership of Maurits of Nassau and his cousin Willem Lodewijk a tactical revolution was achieved that had a profound impact on battle. However, the Dutch army's organisational structure remained unchanged and the Dutch Republic continued to rely on mercenaries and military entrepreneurs. It was not until the latter half of the seventeenth century that the Dutch, under William III of Orange, Captain-General of the Union, introduced revolutionary changes in military organisation and established an efficient standing army. This army withstood attacks by Louis XIV and the Dutch reforms were copied bythe English. OLAF VAN NIMWEGEN has held a number of research posts in the Netherlands. He has an extensive publication record in Dutch and has published several articles on the Dutch army in English. In 2004 he was awarded the Schouwenburg Prize for an outstanding publication on Dutch military history for De Republiek der Verenigde Nederlanden als grote mogendheid [The Republic of the United Netherlands as a great power], about the roleand position of the Dutch Republic in the European system of states in the period 1713 to 1756. |
Contents
15881648 | 11 |
The Organisation and Remuneration of the Dutch Army 15881648 | 21 |
The raising of companies and regiments | 30 |
waardgelders Spanish mutineers and military | 37 |
the difference between paper and effective | 45 |
Company management | 51 |
Prisoners of war | 61 |
financing the Republics | 69 |
attempts to restore the Dutch armys fighting | 317 |
The disciplining of Dutch officers | 325 |
The birth of the Republics standing army | 352 |
The Conduct of War 16501688 | 361 |
Sutlers | 373 |
Siege warfare | 384 |
The New Netherlandish fortification system | 392 |
The Dutch | 405 |
The Dutch Army and the Revolution in Infantry Tactics 15921618 | 85 |
Dutch infantry tactics and drill | 100 |
Cavalry and artillery | 113 |
The campaign and the logistical organisation of the Dutch army | 123 |
Fortifications and siege warfare | 132 |
firetax contribution and plundering | 146 |
Ten successful years 15901600 | 154 |
The struggle of attrition for Ostend 16011604 | 171 |
Spinola on the offensive 16051606 | 189 |
Hostilities are suspended for twelve years 16071609 | 196 |
Spinola goes on the offensive again 16211625 | 207 |
sHertogenbosch and the SpanishImperial | 217 |
The Dutch offensive stalls 16331634 | 234 |
Warfare Hits a Strategic Ceiling 16351648 | 255 |
Francisco de Melo goes on the offensive 16421643 | 266 |
Concluding Remarks to Part I | 289 |
Part II | 298 |
The Dutch army under Johan de Witt 16531672 | 306 |
War with Münster and the Second AngloDutch War 16641667 | 415 |
Conclusion | 425 |
The buildup to the Guerre de Hollande 1669 to May 1672 | 433 |
Behind the Holland Water Line JuneSeptember 1672 | 442 |
The failed assault on Naarden and the battle of Woerden September | 448 |
Luxembourg threatens to cross the Holland Water Line November | 456 |
the peace treaties of Westminster | 467 |
The Republic is Still IllEquipped | 471 |
The siege of Grave Turennes winter campaign JulyDecember 1674 | 482 |
William IIIs unsuccessful attempt to recapture Maastricht July | 493 |
The allied counteroffensive founders JuneDecember 1677 | 503 |
Conclusion | 511 |
Appendices | 525 |
Five Dutch infantry regiments mustered on various dates | 532 |
559 | |
563 | |
571 | |
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The Dutch Army and the Military Revolutions, 1588-1688, Volume 31 Olaf van Nimwegen No preview available - 2010 |