Steel Lobsters: Crown, Commonwealth, and the Last Knights in England

Steel Lobsters is a dramatic history of the Steel Lobsters Regiment of Horse in the English Civil War, the last fully armoured knights in England. It explores the transition from formed musketeers and pistol-wielding cavalry to knights and men-at-arms, based on primary sources. The book covers the life and times of Sir Arthur Hesilrige and his Regiment of Horse, their arms, armour, tactics, and the human story of their defeat at Roundway Down in July 1643. It also delves into the 17th-century battlefield, the personalities, politics, and spiritual beliefs of the combatants, and why they ultimately lost.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

The 17th-century battlefield marked a significant shift in the nature of warfare, with the rise of formed musketeers and pistol-wielding cavalry gradually replacing the traditional knights and men-at-arms that had dominated the European battlefield. Based on a thorough examination of primary sources, Steel Lobsters: The Last Fully Armoured Knights in England tells the story of this transition through the history of the last fully armoured knights in England. Award-winning novelist, historian, and veteran Myke Cole delves into the life and times of Sir Arthur Hesilrige and his Regiment of Horse, known as "the Lobsters" due to their encased in plate armour. Steel Lobsters covers the complete history of England's last knights, from their creation in Hesilriges' experience as a young cavalry officer to their final defeat at Roundway Down in July 1643 and the decision to abandon their armour. It provides lavish detail on arms, armour, and tactics, as well as the human story of Sir Arthur Hesilrige, the men who served under him, and even those who opposed him. The story of this amazing unit is the story of the end of super-heavy cavalry, and this book delves into how wars were fought in the 17th century, the personalities, politics, and even spiritual beliefs of the combatants, how they fought, and why they ultimately lost.

Weight: 488g
Dimension: 161 x 242 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472863584