Osprey Elite 9 : The Normans

Despite the small geographic extent of Normandy its people played a crucial role in the history of the medieval world. But who were the medieval Normans? Were they tamed Vikings or provincial Frenchmen? Ferocity, boundless energy, cunning and a capacity for leadership were their heritage, to which modern scholars would add supreme adaptability and a simple piety. In the early days similarities between the Normans and their Viking predecessors were clear enough. Amazing military successes resulted from careful planning, speed of movement, decisiveness, daring and sheer ruthlessness. Added to this was a strong business sense and an appreciation of the value of money. Yet it was the Normans' adaptability that set them apart from the Vikings. Both dominated their age militarily; but the Normans soon adopted Carolingian feudalism, cavalry warfare and castles to build archetypal feudal states in both Nomandy and England. David Nicolle describes the history, arms and armour of the remarkable Normans accompanied by 12 full page colour plates by Angus McBride.

Contents

• The Norman Legacy
• Arms, Armour and Tactics
• The Normans in Normandy
• The Normans in Britain and Ireland
• The Normans in Italy and Sicily
• The Normans in the East
• The Plates