Osprey - General Military - Knight - The Warrior and ... - Brego-weard

BATTLE
In comparison to sieges and campaigns battles were rare events. Amongst English
monarchs Hastings was the Conqueror's only setpiece battle and Henry II never took
part in one. Edward I experienced defeat at Lewes in 1258 and commanded to victory
at Evesham in 1264, but despite campaigning in the Holy Land, Wales, Flanders and
Scotland only lought a battle once afterwards, at Falkirk in 1298. Edward III, the
great war-leader, only fought battle on land twice, at Hallidon Hill in 1333 against the
Scots and against the French at Crecy in 1346, and at sea once, against the French fleet
at Sluys in 1340. They were, however, significant events. The majority of medieval
battles were decisive in their result, with a clear winner and loser on the field and,
even if they were not all as politically significant as Hastings, they very often brought
an end to the campaign of which they were a part. They were seen as such by
contemporaries, and commanders would seek to avoid them unless they considered the
odds to be in their favour.
They also had a cultural significance for the knightly class. We have already noted
that Geoffrey de Charny said that battle gave the knight the greatest opportunity to
show his abilities with the broadest range of weapons. It was in battle that he was able
to provide the ultimate proof of his prowess, and where the greatest renown was to be
found. Unsurprisingly, battles were often attended by ritualized actions. The battle ol
Lewes, fought between Hemy III and the rebel barons of the reform movement, led
by Simon de Montfort, was preceded by proclamations of diffidatio on both sides:
literally a withdrawal of faith, the annulling of the feudal contract
between lord and subject. The unfurling of banners was also
considered an essential precursor, not only indicating an intent to
fight but also proclaiming the identities of those taking the field and
their right to engage in war. Many ot Froissart's accounts of battle
begin with the armies lacing on their helmets and unfurling their
banners. He tells us that preparing to cross the river Lis at
Commines in 1382, prior to their victory over the Flemings at
Rosebecque, the French army 'tightened their arms, buckled their
helmets on their head in proper manner and, advancing through
the marshes which are contiguous to the river, marched in order of
battle, with banners and pennons displayed, as if they were
immediately to engage'. Similarly, before Bouvines Philippe
Augustus was told that the Imperial forces were advancing with
their horses covered, the banners unfurled, the sergeants and foot
soldiers up front', clear signs they intended battle. The English
knight Sir John Chandos waited until the battle ol Najera in April
CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE •*}*•
Men-at-arms fighting at
the 'barriers'. Froissart
often records that the
knights from each side
would ride out meeting
at the 'barriers' - the
temporary fortifications on
the outskirts of a town - to
perform pas d'armes.
(© British Library)
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