War at Sea in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance

The role and characteristics of armed force at sea in western Europe and the Mediterranean prior to 1650.

This volume is both a restatement of current interpretations of sea power in the middle ages and the Renaissance and a general introduction to naval and maritime history over four and a half centuries. The book offers broad conclusions on the role and characteristics of armed force at sea before 1650, conclusions that exploit the best current understanding of the medieval period. The examination of naval militias in the Baltic, permanent galley fleets in the Mediterranean, contract fleets and the use of reprisal for political ends all illustrate the variety and complexity of naval power and domination of the sea in theyears from 1000 to 1650.
The detailed and closely coordinated studies by scholars from Europe, North America, and Australia show patterns in war at sea and discuss the influence of the development of ships, guns, and the language of public policy on maritime conflict. The essays show theimportance and unique character of violence at sea in the period.

Contributors: JOHN B. HATTENDORF, NIELS LUND, JAN BILL, TIMOTHY J. RUNYAN, IAN FRIEL, JOHN H. PRYOR, LAWRENCE V. MOTT, JOHN DOTSON, MICHEL BALARD, BERNARD DOUMERC, MARCO GEMIGNANI, FRANCISCO CONTENT DOMINGUES, LOUIS SICKING, JAN GLETE, N.A.M. RODGER, RICHARD W. UNGER.

Dr. Ian Friel is a maritime historian with an international reputation and wide experience of historical and archaeological projects, such as research into Henry V’s great warship Grace Dieu and the 17th-century Swash Channel Wreck (which he successfully identified as the Fame of Hoorn). After a long career working in museums, including the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich and the Mary Rose Trust, he went freelance in 2007 as an independent historian, museum consultant and writer.

Ian is the author of The Good Ship, The British Museum Maritime History of Britain and Ireland and Henry V’s Navy, along with many papers, reports and other publications, and he has broadcast on TV and radio.