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Few historians have argued so forcefully or persuasively as Bernard S. Bachrach for the study of warfare as not only worthy of scholarly attention, but demanding of it. In his many publications Bachrach has established unequivocally the relevance of military institutions and activity for an understanding of medieval European societies, polities, and mentalities. In so doing, as much as any scholar of his generation, he has helped to define the status quaestionis for the field of medieval military history. The Medieval Way of War: Studies in Medieval Military History in Honor of Bernard S. Bachrach pays tribute to its honoree by gathering in a single volume seventeen original studies from an international roster of leading experts in the military history of medieval Europe. Ranging chronologically from Late Antiquity through the Later Middle Ages (ca. AD 300a "1500), and with a broad geographical scope stretching from the British Isles to the Middle East, these diverse studies address an array of critical themes and debates relevant to the conduct of war in medieval Europe. These themes include the formation and implementation of military grand strategies; the fiscal, material, and administrative resources that underpinned the conduct of war in medieval Europe; and religious, legal, and artistic responses to military violence. Collectively, these seventeen studies embrace the interdisciplinarity and topical diversity intrinsic to Bachracha (TM)s research. Additionally, they strongly echo his conviction that the study of armed conflict is indispensable for an accurate and comprehensive understanding of medieval European history.
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The Medieval Way of War Bernard S. Bacharach The Medieval Way of War Studies in Medieval Military History in Honor of Bernard S. Bachrach Edited by Gregory I. Halfond Framingham State University, USA © Gregory I. Halfond 2015 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Gregory I. Halfond has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as the editor of this work. Published by Ashgate Publishing Limited Ashgate Publishing Company 110 Cherry Street Wey Court East Union Road Suite 3-1 Farnham Burlington, VT 05401-3818 Surrey, GU9 7PT USA England www.ashgate.com British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library The Library of Congress has cataloged the printed edition as follows: The Medieval Way of War: Studies in Medieval Military History in Honor of Bernard S. Bachrach / edited by Gregory I. Halfond. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. Military art and science – History – Medieval, 500-1500. 2. Military history, Medieval. I. Halfond, Gregory I., editor. II. Bachrach, Bernard S., 1939 D128.M4335 2015 355.02094’0902–dc23 2014027132 ISBN ISBN ISBN 9781472419583 (hbk) 9781472419590 (ebk-ePDF) 9781472419606 (ebk-ePUB) V Printed in the United Kingdom by Henry Ling Limited, at the Dorset Press, Dorchester, DT1 1HD Contents List of Figures/Maps List of Contributors Acknowledgements Abbreviations vii ix xiii xv Introduction 1 Bibliography of Publications by Bernard S. Bachrach 7 Part I The History and Historiography of War in Late Antique and Early Medieval Europe 1 The Roman Frontier along the Upper Danube in Late Antiquity Andreas Schwarcz 21 2 War and Peace in the Acta of the Merovingian Church Councils Gregory I. Halfond 29 3 Reflections on Alfred the