Aspects of War in the Late Middle Ages

This Variorum collection of articles explores that conflict in the late Middle Ages was not just about soldiers and fighting, but also about writers who glorified or condemned war. It examines the moral scale of the time and how war was seen as an opportunity for those who conquered it, leading to significant upheaval in Norman society. The final irony is that Frenchmen returning to claim their ancestral rights often found it difficult to unravel the legal and practical consequences of the war.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This Variorum collection of articles aims to demonstrate that conflict in the late Middle Ages was far more complex than merely involving soldiers and warfare. While soldiers and fighting played crucial roles, war was a subject that drew the attention of writers, including commentators, moralists, and social critics. These writers varied in their perspectives, with some glorifying war and others condemning it. For historians, the written word provides valuable evidence of how war and its participants were perceived by society at large. One pressing question was the social standing of those who engaged in society's wars. How was war viewed in terms of morality during that time?

The last two sections of the collection focus on a specific war, the 'occupation of northern France by the English between 1420 and 1450. The men who conquered the duchy and subsequently maintained English control over it were rewarded with lands, titles, administrative responsibilities, and even ecclesiastical benefices. For these individuals, war represented an opportunity that they were reluctant to relinquish. However, the final irony lies in the fact that Frenchmen who returned to reclaim their ancestral rights after the English were driven out often faced difficulties in unraveling the legal and practical consequences of a war that had caused significant upheaval in Norman society over a single generation.

In conclusion, this Variorum collection highlights the multifaceted nature of conflict in the late Middle Ages. It emphasizes the importance of considering not only the military aspects but also the broader social, cultural, and moral dimensions of war. By examining the written word and the experiences of individuals involved in various wars, historians can gain a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped medieval society.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367330675