10 Questions
What was the most important element of an army during medieval warfare?
Infantry
What was the standard text for military discourse in Western Europe during medieval warfare?
De re militari by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus
What defensive counter-measure was used during medieval warfare to protect against attackers?
Arrow slits
What was the most numerous part of a medieval field army?
Infantry
What was the typical weapon used by a Viking raider?
Axe
What was the aim of the Mongol invasion of Europe in 1241?
To defeat the Hungarian-Cuman alliance
What siege technologies were utilized by the Khilji dynasty?
Trebuchets, ballistas, and wooden parapets
What was the main weapon used by the Seljuks during their defeat of the Byzantine Empire?
Bows and arrows
What was the core of the Ottoman Turks' army made up of?
Heavy cavalry
What was the standard text for military discourse in Western Europe during medieval warfare?
De re militari by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus
Study Notes
- Medieval warfare saw a transformation in tactics, cavalry, and artillery.
- De re militari by Publius Flavius Vegetius Renatus was the standard text for military discourse in Western Europe.
- Infantry was considered the most important element of an army.
- The emergence of the castle in Europe provided refuge and protection for the local elites.
- Fortifications provided safety to the lord, his family, and his servants, and ensured that the elite could not be easily dislodged from their lands.
- Siege techniques included scaling ladders, battering rams, siege towers, and various types of catapults.
- Defensive counter-measures included arrow slits, concealed doors for sallies, and deep water wells.
- Large cities had city walls and more important cities had citadels, forts, or castles.
- The medieval knight was usually a mounted and armoured soldier, often connected with nobility or royalty.
- Infantry was the most numerous part of a medieval field army and many infantrymen were mercenaries.
- Feudal armies consisted of knights, household troops, mercenaries, and feudal levies.
- Towns and cities could also field militias.
- Central governments led to the return of citizen and mercenary armies.
- Best infantrymen came from younger sons of free land-owning yeomen.
- Mercenaries were effective soldiers but problematic during peacetime.
- Medieval weapons included artillery, siege engines, and hand-held objects.
- Carrying relics into battle was a feature of medieval warfare.
- Medieval warfare largely predated the use of supply trains.
- Naval warfare varied depending on the waters surrounding Europe.
- Guns were introduced in the 14th century but slowly changed ship-to-ship combat.
- Guns were initially designed to injure or stun the enemy before boarding.
- Heavy cannon capable of sinking ships were first mounted on galleys.
- Swiss pikemen and Welsh/English longbowmen were effective against mounted cavalry.
- Early artillery played a limited role in the Hundred Years' War.
- The Arab army mainly consisted of camel-mounted infantry.
- The Vikings refined seaborne raids to a science.
- Viking longships were swift and easily maneuvered.
- The Viking style of warfare relied heavily on the element of surprise.
- The fully armored Viking raider would wear an iron helmet and a mail hauberk.
- The typical Viking raider would be unarmored, carrying only a bow and arrow.
- Vikings were raiders who used weapons such as arrows, seax, shield and spear.
- European countries with weak governments were unable to respond to Viking raids effectively.
- Viking raids became more sophisticated with coordinated strikes and large armies.
- Scandinavia favoured heavy infantry, and the peasants formed a well-armed and well-armoured infantry.
- The Mongols invaded Europe in 1241, and their aim was to defeat the Hungarian-Cuman alliance.
- Golden Horde frequently clashed with Hungarians, Lithuanians, and Poles in the 13th century.
- The Seljuks were known for their cavalry archers, and they defeated the Byzantine Empire using mobility and timing.
- The Ottoman Turks hired mercenaries that used gunpowder weapons and obtained their instruction for the Janissaries.
- The Turks featured a core of heavy cavalry from the upper classes.
- The Khilji dynasty utilized several siege technologies such as trebuchets, ballistas, and wooden parapets.
Test your knowledge of medieval warfare with our quiz! From the tactics and weaponry used in battle to the role of castles and fortifications, this quiz covers various aspects of medieval warfare. Explore the emergence of the castle, the importance of infantry and cavalry, and the use of siege techniques and defensive counter-measures. Discover how naval warfare varied depending on the waters surrounding Europe and learn about the introduction of guns in ship-to-ship combat. Also, test your knowledge of specific military forces such as the
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