Hungary and the fall of Eastern Europe 1000-1568 (Osprey Men-at-Arms Series 195)

by David Nicolle

Other authorsAngus McBride (Illustrator)

Paperback, 1988

Status

Available

Call number

943

Publication

Osprey Publishing (1988), Edition: First Edition, 48 pages

Description

Although not widely studied in the West, the medieval history of south-eastern Europe is both fascinating and complex. The Kingdom of Hungary was a vast realm, at least the size of France, that endured throughout the Middle Ages whilst the Byzantine Empire was even more extensive and enduring. The Serbians won themselves a brief but extensive local empire in the 14th century; while the Bulgarians established an effective and cultured state. Other players in the confusing Balkan scene included the Albanians; Wallachians; Moldavians; Transylvanians; Croatians and many others. How did they organise their armies and fight their wars; and why did they ultimately fail? This title answers these questions ably supported by numerous illustrations and eight colour plates.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member antiquary

This is one of the standard Osprey line of brief military histories intended chiefly as background information for war gamers. THis one is especially useful because they are relatively few works on the region in this period available in English (though see Fine's The Late Medieval Balkans). Besides

the KIngdom of Hungary, t contains information about the military forces of several other nations in the area at the time, including Serbia. Bosnia, Bulgaria, Wallachia and the remnant of the Byzantine Empire. As usual with Osprey it has full-color plates of recreations of soldiers from the period, as well as a large number of photos of sources for soldiers and equipment, including paints, carvings, etc.

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LibraryThing member DinadansFriend

As a byzantinist, this is a necessary book from a wargaming miniatures perspective. The Balkan peninsula is the focus here, and an obvious companion to a book on the Early Ottomans, who are not included. There is a rare illustration of an Anatolian Seljuk Cavalryman.

LibraryThing member Shrike58

David Nicolle has been one of Osprey's "go to" authors for a very long time, so there is actually nothing wrong with this booklet. It's more case that it's been overtaken by events and advances in scholarship, and it's justification at this stage of the game are the excellent color illustrations.

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