Military

Four years after William I's conquest of England, writes J.J.N. McGurk, a Lincolnshire thegn named Hereward led a fierce resistance movement against Norman rule.

Judith Mason describes how, in February 1525, Francis I of France was defeated and taken prisoner at Pavia by an Imperial army, led by his rebellious subject the Constable of Bourbon, who later launched an attack upon the Holy City.

David Chandler describes a heroic episode during the War of the Spanish Succession.

C.A. Usher describes how, during the thirteenth century, the divided Principality of Wales succumbed to English Conquest.

Alan Rogers describes how the Welsh fortresses founded by the English King were ‘outlying strongholds thrust into the heart of enemy country.’

Geoffrey Powell describes how, while Napoleon occupied Holland, the British seized the Dutch bases in Ceylon.

Having climbed from partisan leader to king of armies, Brian Boru eventually established himself as the first monarch of a consolidated Ireland.

Although the Roman soldier might worship many gods, writes Colin Martin, the State religion was an integral part of every military establishment.

C.G. Cruickshank describes bows and fire-arms in the early sixteenth century.

Geoffrey Powell profiles the Praetorian Guard. This corps d'elite, first established on a permanent footing by Augustus, played a powerful part in the history of imperial Rome.