The Italian Wars of the 16th Century, 1494-1559

An erudite assessment of a pivotal period of military developmentThis book’s contents have been extracted from Oman’s very substantial work covering the principal conflicts fought during the turbulent 16th century. There can be little doubt that this author- in common with his contemporary academic, Sir John Fortescue- was one of the finest and most accessible historians Britain has produced. The Italian Wars (1494-1559) were prosecuted for the control of the Italian peninsula, then comprised of a number of smaller states, as part on an ongoing struggle for dominance in the region between France and Spain. This was a time of innovation in weaponry and tactics in the European theatre which would fundamentally modernise warfare. Gunpowder, firearms, and advanced fortifications were widely adopted. In typical style,Oman expertly and readably guides the reader through an overview of these complex geopolitical affairs and explains the principal engagements accompanied by clear diagrams of the respective battles. The various kinds of soldiers engaged are also described in some depth, including the application of weapons employed upon these Renaissance fields of conflict. This Leonaur edition includes further illustrations which were not present in the original edition. Recommended for all students of the period and those who have enjoyed the well- known and highly regarded autobiographical writings of Blaise de Monluc.Leonaur editions are newly typeset and are not facsimiles; each title is available in softcover and hardback with dustjacket.