Bøger af John France

This authoritative and concise work surveys the range of warfare in the high Middle Ages while reflecting on the society that produced these military struggles. The book brings together for the first time a wealth of information on such topics as knighthood, military organization, weaponry and fortifications, and warfare in the East. In 1095 with the launching of the First Crusade, Europeans established a great military endeavour to save the Holy Land, an undertaking that remained a central preoccupation until the end of the thirteenth century. While the expeditions that went forth to fight the Muslims involved armies of exceptional size, much of the warfare within western Europe itself was conducted by small armies on behalf of landowners who were often neighbours and kin. In his approach to his subject, John France considers political, social, and economic development in the age of the crusades. He emphasizes the significance of four factors in shaping medieval warfare: the dominance of land as a form of wealth, the limited competence of government, the state of technology that favoured defence over attack, and the geography and climate of western Europe. His coverage of the castle and the knight in armour depicts the role of landowners in producing these characteristic medieval instruments of war. In addition, France provides an extensive analysis of battles in which he reconstructs a series of encounters in superb detail.

In The Idea Hump, John France provides the start to the start up, for anyone with a great idea. John has been part of new ventures that have raised millions and made millions. He has more than a handful of patents and years of experience in starting new projects. The hardest part is getting started, taking those first steps. John shares what has helped him get started and through the ups and downs, the successes and struggles, that come with the beginning stages of an idea. John provides the how-to of doing something now with your new and great idea. The Idea Hump is a motivating ride over, around, and through the mountain-like obstacles that loom over your idea. What holds you back from moving forward with your idea? The idea hump. By way of simplicity and sincerity John shares what he has learned about The Idea Hump.

Highlights "the range and richness of scholarship on medieval warfare, military institutions, and cultures of conflict that characterize the field". History 95 (2010)

Mercenaries have always had a poor press. Theirs is one of the world's oldest professions, but the very word has profoundly negative connotations of infidelity and ruthlessness. But were they so different from soldiers? Why, in any case, were they so omnipresent in the warfare of the medieval and early modern period? What kind of men became mercenaries and where did they come from? These are some of the questions which the essays in this volume address. Contributors are: Richard Abels, Bernard Bachrach, David Bachrach, Adrian Bell,Charles Bowlus, David Crouch, Guido Dall'Oro, Kelly Devries, Sven Ekdahl, John Hosler, John Law, Alan Murray, Stephen Morillo, Laura Napran, Eljas Oksanen, Carlos Andrez Gonzalez Paz, Ciaran Og O'Reilly, Muriosa Prendergast, Nicolas Prouteau, John Pryor, Ifor Rowlands, Spencer Smith.

Latest volume in the leading forum for debate on aspects of medieval warfare.

From the author of "Victory in the East: A Military History of the First Crusade", this book offers a wide-ranging and innovative survey of crusading warfare, and is intended as a standard reference for students and professional historians alike.

This authoritative and concise work surveys the range of warfare in the high Middle Ages while reflecting on the society that produced these military struggles. The book brings together for the first time a wealth of information on such topics as...

Studies of warfare, armies, logistics and weapons throughout the Norman realms.

This survey includes illustrations, maps, timelines, further reading guides, and a detailed list of rulers across Europe, and for the first time, chronologically examines the medieval crusades and their impact on European expansion.