Medieval Polish Armies 966–1500 (Men-at-Arms #445) (Paperback)

Description

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The history of Poland is a fascinating study of a people struggling to achieve nationhood in the face of internal and external enemies. Poland became a unified Christian state in AD 966 and by the 12th century a knightly class had emerged - a force that was integral to the defense of Poland against increasingly frequent foreign invasions. Intent on crushing rival Christian states, the Templars, Hospitallers and Teutonic Knights all mounted attacks but were beaten back by the Poles, as were invading Mongols and Turks. This book reveals the organization, equipment and battle histories of the medieval Polish armies as they developed and modernized to emerge as one of the dominant powers of Eastern Europe.

About the Author

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David Nicolle was born in 1944, the son of the illustrator Pat Nicolle. He worked in the BBC Arabic service for a number of years, before going "back to school," gaining an MA from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, and a doctorate from Edinburgh University. He later taught world and Islamic art and architectural history at Yarmuk University, Jordan. He has written many books and articles on medieval and Islamic warfare, and has been a prolific author of Osprey titles for many years.

Witold Sarnecki is a Polish museum curator who specialises in the medieval armies of Poland. The author lives in Leicestershire, UK.

Praise For…

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“This is a superb book for anyone interested in the medieval period, covering an often-neglected area. Western, particularly German, styles of arms and armour mixed with those of eastern areas to produce a fascinating variety, and they're all well-illustrated and described here. We also get a potted history of Poland and its fights against foreign invasion over the centuries... Very highly recommended.” —John Prigent, Internet Modeler (March 2008)

“Supplied with a wealth of illustration, Medieval Polish Armies pulls out all the stops; a clear and concise reference guide, it provides extensive detail regarding the source of its material, including tomb effigies, etchings, and contemporary art that often becomes the best source for determining what types of weaponry and armor were in use in a specific time and location...Far more than the historian's equivalent of Cliffs Notes, this book, like its companions, is an invaluable addition to any medieval library; its value to re-enactors, writers, modelers and scholars alike far outstrips the slim volume's weight in gold.” —Richard MacKenzie, Renaissance Magazine (January 2009)

“In all, Sarnecki and Nicolle's volume on this important part of history is not only the first done in English, but is a fascinating look into the events of the time. A book you'll be sure to find fascinating.” —Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (May 2008)