Books in the Century of the Soldier series

This book examines through historical and archaeological research the sieges of Bristol, Gloucester, Worcester, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury during the First Civil War (1642-1646).

Louis XIVs French soldiers and buccaneers fought and created a vast overseas domain in the West Indies and Latin America thanks to his discreet and effective support. This study presents hitherto unpublished data on the strategic impacts, actions, organization, weapons, uniforms, costumes and lifestyles of these extraordinary soldiers.

While the First, or 'Great', English Civil War of 1642-6 was largely contested at regional and county level, in often hard-fought and long-lasting local campaigns, historians often still continue to dwell on the well-known major battles such as Edgehill and Naseby. This book redresses this imbalance.

In this volume the Italian armies are introduced from the 'major powers' to the small states based on archive resources and unpublished iconography.

A comprehensive account of the military career of one of the great and tragic figures from the final death throes of the Swedish empire.

The second book ever made on this subject in the last century, and the first in English; both by the same author.

Study of the Polish army that in 1626-1629 fought against Swedes in Prussia; its command, organisation, equipment and tactics.

There has not been an account of the first attempt made in Scotland to restore the exiled Stuarts at the end of the seventeenth century for three decades; most accounts stop with the death of the movement¿s first leader, ¿Bonnie Dundee¿. This book is the first full length account of the military struggle between forces loyal to the newly established Scottish government and the Jacobite cause. It does this by first considering the political and religious situation in Scotland, and to a lesser extent its southern neighbour, from the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 to the revolution of 1688-1689, which was far more radical in Scotland than it was in England, and which produced a constituency with a grievance which a new restoration might solve.The book then turns to the initial campaigning by both armies, led by Dundee and for the government, General Hugh Mackay, a fellow Scot. With marches and counter marches being inconclusive, the possession of Blair Castle focussed attentions and led to confrontation. But before examining the ensuing battle, the book turns to the officers and men of each army, exploring who they were, their tactics, arms, equipment and organisation.The most substantial chapter is a blow by blow account of the battle of Killiecrankie, beginning with the march to conflict on the day itself, discussions over whether to fight, deployment and initial exchanges of fire. Then the crux of the battle is described, the rush of the Highlanders, the musketry of their opponents, melee and the flight and pursuit. Some of Mackay¿s army stood and repelled their enemy, but by the day¿s end were obliged to retreat. There is an examination of the numbers of men who fought and the casualties and other losses taken by both sides; including that of the Jacobite commander. A discussion of the battle¿s aftermath and its importance then occurs.The conflict was far from over, for the Jacobite army reached its numerical high point after Dundee¿s death. There was another battle to be fought that season, at Dunkeld, which was unusual for it was fought in a town. As with the previous battle, this chapter looks at the combatants involved as well as the fighting and its aftermath. The chapter also reviews the campaigning before and after the battle to take the reader until the end of the year.The penultimate chapter covers the final major military engagement of the conflict, at Cromdale, as well as numerous other lesser encounters, skirmishes and sieges, and other developments in the government¿s strategy to bring peace to the Highlands. Finally, there is a chapter covering the campaign¿s end; which ended with a peace treaty and then the tragedy of Glencoe, and a commentary about the ending of hostilities and the careers of a number of prominent men who fought in the campaign.The book is largely based on primary sources, both published and manuscript from record offices and libraries in London and Edinburgh. These include letters, memoirs, poems, army listings and contemporary newspapers. Recourse has also been made to studies of the battlefield archaeology and the author having walked the battlefields, one with a local expert. There is also a brief description of the battlefields as they are today.

This book outlines the plans for the English attack on the Spanish West Indies in 1655, their defeat on Hispaniola and occupation of Jamaica until the end of 1655.

Volume 1 deals with the Sun King's early years, from his birth in 1638, the resounding victory of Rocroi when he was five and a child king, the unstable years of the Fronde civil wars, his seizure of absolute power in 1661, the initial foreign military adventures culminating with the French army's blitzkriegs of 1667-1668.

The Scanian War was bloody and inconclusive, yet established the modern border between Denmark and Sweden and formed the foundation for comprehensive Swedish military reforms.

The Army of the House of Austria and its evolution during the wars against the Porte and France.

The Army of Louis XIV is frequently depicted as being the apogee of the early modern standing army. It was large, well organised and the product of the French Absolutist Monarchy. The result was the creation of an entirely original instrument of war unlike any other European armies.