Warriors for a Living : the Experience of the Spanish Infantry in the Italian Wars, 1494-1559 / by Idan Sherer.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sherer, Idan, author.

Series:

History of warfare ; v. 114.

History of warfare ; volume 114

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Spain. Ejército. Infantería--History--16th century.

Spain.

Spain. Ejército. Infantería.

Soldiers--Spain--History--16th century.

Soldiers.

Atrocities--Italy--History--16th century.

Atrocities.

History, Military.

History.

Spain--History, Military--16th century.

Italy--History, Military--1268-1559.

Italy.

Italy--History--1492-1559.

Genre:

History.

Military history.

Physical Description:

viii, 289 pages : illustrations, maps ; 25 cm.

Other Title:

Experience of the Spanish infantry in the Italian wars, 1494-1559

Place of Publication:

Leiden : Brill, [2017]

Summary:

"In Warriors for a Living, Idan Sherer examines the experience of the Spanish infantry during the formative period of the Italian Wars. Decades of clashes between Spain and France transformed Italy into a crucible of military tactics and technology and brought about the emergence of the Spanish infantry tercios as Europe's finest military force for more than a century. From their recruitment, through the complexities of everyday life in the army and culminating in the potential brutality of soldiering, the book offers a fresh and much needed exploration, analysis and, at times, reconsideration of what it meant to be a professional soldier in early modern Europe."--Provided by publisher.

Contents:

1 The Infantry Soldiers of the Spanish Army 15

Who Were the Soldiers? 15

The Process of Recruitment 26

2 Conditions of Service: Everyday Life in the Spanish Army 38

Warriors for a Living 38

The Burden of Campaigns 48

Exposure to the Elements 49

Nutrition and Basic Supplies 52

Journey by Land 59

Journey by Sea 65

Disease 68

Friction with the Local Population 78

The Comforts of Soldiering 92

3 Mutiny 102

The Professional, Financial, and Disciplinary Context of the Mutinies 105

The General Characteristics of the Spanish Mutinies 112

The Commencing Stages 112

The Extent of the Mutinies 117

The Organization of the Mutiny 121

The Process of Negotiations 124

Violent Actions of the Mutineers 132

Retaliation, Punishment, and status quo 136

4 The Experience of the Sack 144

Preparing for the Sack 145

During and Immediately after the Assault 154

Organizing the Violence 160

Soldiers and Civilians-The Fate of the Prisoners 166

Leaving the City-The Effects of the Sacks 170

5 Combat 175

The Military Revolution and Combat in the Italian Wars 178

The "Military Revolution" of the Sixteenth Century 178

The Experience of the Military Revolution 192

Skirmishes and Special Operations 193

Siege warfare: besiegers and Besieged 201

Siege Warfare: The Assault 210

Battle 218

The Aftermath of Combat 230

A "Military Revolution"? 235

Motivation and Combat Effectiveness of the Spanish Infantry 236

A Warrior Society 239

Esprit de corps 244

On the Battlefield 250.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 263-280) and index.

Other Format:

Online version: Sharar, ʻIdan, author. Warriors for a living.

ISBN:

9789004337718

9004337717

OCLC:

962853089

Publisher Number:

40026882909