| ID | 188315 |
| Title Proper | Useless and dangerous’? Mercenaries in fourteenth century wars |
| Language | ENG |
| Author | Casiraghi, Matteo CM |
| Summary / Abstract (Note) | This article compares two military formats employed in late Medieval Europe. Italian cities contracted out entire military campaigns whereas European monarchies recruited mercenaries in their armies, led by national commanders. How effective were these private armies? When did mercenaries threaten their employers? The article investigates the enterprises of mercenary captains Castracani and Hawkwood in Italy, and mercenaries in France. Private armies were often effective on the battlefield, though public authorities were not always able to control them. Mercenaries’ military strength and governments’ ability to sanction them were decisive for the outcome of these embryonic forms of civil-military relations. |
| `In' analytical Note | Small Wars and Insurgencies Vol. 33, No.1-2; Jan-Mar 2022: p.71-91 |
| Journal Source | Small Wars and Insurgencies Vol: 33 No 1-2 |
| Key Words | Civil-military relations ; Military Effectiveness ; Mercenaries ; Military Format ; Fourteenth Century Wars |