Armies of the Medieval Italian Wars 1125–1325The great powers of medieval Europe fought continuously in the Italian peninsula between the 12th and 14th centuries as they sought to expand their territory. Invading armies from Germany – the Holy Roman Empire – saw the creation of the defensive Lombard League of northern Italian city-states. These struggles resulted in conflicts between rival confederacies, which in turn proved to be the catalysts for developments in organisation and tactics. Italian urban militias became better organised and equipped, the Imperial armies went from being mostly German to multi-national forces, and both sides became reliant on mercenary forces to prosecute their wars. After the 1260s, France, relying mainly on armoured cavalry, and Spain, with their innovative light infantry, vied for control of southern Italy. On the seas, the great naval powers of Genoa, Pisa and Venice became fierce rivals, as they created great trading empires, bringing the treasures of the east into feudal Europe. Using detailed colour plates, this beautifully illustrated book describes the myriad of armies and navies that fought for control of Italy in the Middle Ages. |
Contents
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| 3 | |
Chronology | 5 |
The Imperial Army of Frederick Barbarossa 11551190 | 8 |
12thCentury Communal Armies of The Northern Cities | 11 |
The Norman Army of The Kingdom Of Sicily | 15 |
The Army of Frederick II 12201250 | 17 |
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Common terms and phrases
13th century Almogavars Angevin Aragon Aragonese archers armour Author’s collection auxiliary battle of Meloria carroccio cavalry cervelliera Charles of Anjou Codex Manesse communal army communal knight companies comuni Confraternita del Leone contado courtesy of Confraternita crest crossbow crossbowmen defeated deployed Digital Library elected King elite Emperor Henry Empire employed Ezzelino feudal contingents fighting Florence Florentine Frederick Barbarossa Frederick II Frederick II's gambeson Genoa German Ghibelline Guelph hauberk heavy knights Heidelberg Universitätsbibliothek helm helmet Historia Viva II’s imperial army included infantry infantrymen Italian campaign Italian cities Italy Kingdom of Sicily Lega Lombarda Legnano Lombard League Lombard League army Lucera Manfred of Swabia Medieval mercenary knights mid-13th century Milan military organization milites stipendiarii militia militiamen ministeriales mobilization Montaperti noble non-noble knights Norman northern Papacy papal pedites Pisa Plate Pope protection quilted Reconstruction ringmail Roman Saracen shield Sicilian Siena southern Italy surcoat territories trapper Treviso urban venticinquine worn