Christopher Gravett

In medieval Germany, violence was accepted far more than in other kingdoms. Kings were recognised as guardians of order, but this had its limitations. Lords expected to use force to secure their rights or win an argument when peaceful methods were not sufficient. German Medieval Armies 1000–1300 by Christopher Gravett does a fine job of examining the organisation and campaigns...

During the Middle Ages, siege warfare played a vital role in military strategy. Sieges were far more numerous than pitched battles, ranging from small-scale affairs against palisaded earthworks to full-scale assaults on vast strongholds. Needless to say, the art of siege warfare assumed a unique importance to both invader and defender alike. In Medieval Siege Warfare, Christopher Gravett explores the...

Throughout the 11th and 12th centuries, the Norman knight was possibly the most feared warrior in Western Europe. He was descended originally from the Vikings who had settled in Northern France under their leader Rollo in or around 911, at the behest of Charles the Simple. Throughout the following centuries, they remembered and built on their warlike reputation. Norman Knight...