Osprey Men-at-Arms 399 : Medieval Scandinavian Armies (2) 1300-1500

While Scandinavia's 'Viking Age' is one of the most studied aspects of early medieval history, much less has been published about the centuries that followed. The armies of Sweden, Norway and Denmark offer fascinating differences from the rest of medieval Western Europe, both in their organization and their war gear - due partly to their remoteness, climate and terrain, but partly to their long freedom from the feudal system of other kingdoms. This second book covers the period which saw both expansion in the Baltic, and long wars born of the attempt to bring Scandinavia under a single monarchy - the Union of Kalmar. In the North, as elsewhere, the perfection of plate armour could not prevent the steady decline in the importance of the 15th century mounted knight in favour of the well armed infantryman. Text by David Lindholm and David Nicolle with illustrations by Angus McBride.

Contents

• Chronology of Major Wars
• Scandinavian Army Organisation 1300-1500
• Influence of the Hanseatic German Cities
• Weapons
• Armour
  From Mail to Plate
  The Wisby Graves of 1361 Analysed
• Tactics
• Fortifications and Siege Warfare