War Wagons: One of the Strangest Military Formations Ever Seen in Europe
One of the strangest military formations ever seen in Europe, Hussite war wagons struck fear into their opponents during the early 15th century. Fighting under…
The Rules Of Chivalry Were So Important In Medieval Society, But Breaking The Rules Was Almost As Important
In the Middle Ages, chivalry was more than just a name for polite behavior. It was a set of rules meant to limit the actions…
Steel, Gunpowder, And Careful Planning – The Conquistadors’ Defeat Of The Incas
Francisco Pizarro’s conquest of the Incan empire is one of the most extraordinary achievements in military history. In the space of a single day in…
How Napoleon’s Empire Empowered European Jewish Communities
The beating of war drums has seldom been a good sign for Europe’s Jewish communities. Dispersed by the endless conquests of their homeland, they were…
Jan Žižka: The Blind and Undefeated General of the Hussite Wars
Few generals throughout history can say that they were undefeated over their career, fewer still can be credited with doing so with a mob of…
Statues, Uniforms, And The Legion Of Honor – How Napoleon Celebrated Battlefield Courage
Napoleon Bonaparte was an inspiring figure. His greatest opponent, the Duke of Wellington, said that the French Emperor inspired such confidence that his presence at…
Grand Goals – Napoleon Aimed For High Achievements In Egypt
The Egyptian campaign Napoleon led in 1798 was one of the greatest disasters of his career. After his fleet was destroyed by Nelson at the…
The last battle of the Vikings On The West Coast Of Scotland
It was the age of the Great Mongol Khans. It was the age of Byzantium, of the Holy Roman Empire. The wars of the Reconquista…
The Flaws of the Brilliant Civil War General “Stonewall” Jackson
General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson is widely regarded as one of the greatest tactical commanders in American military history. While his solid determination to hold…
The Beginning Of The End For The Teutonic Knights, Grunwald 1410
For more than two hundred years the might of the Order of Teutonic Knights had been steadily growing. It was forged in 1190, in the…
The Element of Surprise – Totally Effective Surprise Attacks in Military History
Surprise attacks and ambushes can turn the tide of war. More often than not, the side that has the larger base of industry or manpower…
Seven Reasons Why Napoleon Should Have Lost in Italy
From 1792 to 1797, France fought a multi-fronted war against the First Coalition, the first of many attempts to bring the revolutionary nation to heel.…