Early Modern Warfare

Who begins the debate?

Michael Roberts

What does MR focus on, and when?

Sweden and Gustavus Adolphus, and Thirty Years War (1632)

What does M.R. choose as the timeline?

1560-1660

Who takes on M.R.? Where does the timeline go?

Geoffrey Parker, 1470-1560

What does M.R. observe as aspects of this revolution?

Higher training standards, battle tactics, scale of war.

Who claims the revolution was later than both the above? Where does it go?

Jeremy Black, 1660-1760

Why these dates for J.B.?

Lasting tactical firearm change

What prompted new bastions and sunken fortresses?

Artillery improvement in the 15th century

When does Parker believe the ‘fortress revolution’ was and where?

late 15th and early 16th century, Northern Italy

Where tended to be most fortified?

wealthy urban centres

Fortresses were membership…

for the international political club

What made fortresses redundant?

Firepower increase

Handguns provided two things…

Western tactical and firepower advantage, and spirit of adaptability

What develops explosive power?

milled gunpowder

The pistol came into play when?

1630s

By which date was only 20% of French soldiers armed with pikes?

1692

Heavy artillery improved in ….

late 15th century, with the cannon

Rise of what provokes change in fortresses

Iron cannonballs, which blast straight through medieval walls

In the early 16th century, what rudimentary entity comes to play?

Rudimentary artillery administrations

What declines within this period?

Mercenary power