Renaissance Armies in Italy 1450-1550

The Italian Renaissance was a period of political and military turmoil, with regional wars fought between Milan, Venice, Genoa, Florence, the Papacy, Siena, and Naples. Major foreign powers exploited these divisions to invade Italy, and the growth of disciplined infantry challenged the previously dominant armoured knights. Mercenaries also ushered in the early development of the pike and shot era, with costumes, armor, and weapons varying greatly due to national origins and the evolution of tactics and technology. This study offers a fascinating insight into the many armies which fought in Italy during this period.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 48 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The Italian Renaissance was a time of significant political and military upheaval, marked by numerous regional conflicts between powerful states such as Milan, Venice, Genoa, Florence, the Papacy, Siena, and Naples. These wars lasted for over 50 years, beginning in 1494, and were exploited by major foreign powers, including France and Spain, who formed temporary alliances with city-states to further their own ambitions. Additionally, in the early 16th century, Emperor Charles V dispatched armies from his German realms to support the Spanish. These wars coincided with the rise of disciplined infantry, equipped with a variety of weapons, including polearms, crossbows, and handguns, which challenged the dominance of armored knights. The widespread use of mercenaries also contributed to the early development of the pike and shot era, which followed the High Middle Ages. During this period, costumes, armor, and weapons varied greatly depending on national origins and the evolving tactics and technology of warfare. This captivating illustrated study provides a detailed insight into the various armies that engaged in combat in Italy during this turbulent period, exploring their armaments, equipment, organization, successes, and failures on the battlefield.

Weight: 172g
Dimension: 184 x 247 x 5 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472841995