Nature of warfare Early Modern Period 1500-1700

Question 1

Composition and command of armies in the beginning of the period (1500) (3)

Answer 1

• Change in tactics and weapons (e.g schiltrons and longbows) meant less reliance on cavalry
• Number of cavalry was less by 1500 (ratio of infantry:cavalry now 3:1 rather than 2:1)
• Due to a decline in the feudal system less cavalry were from the nobility

Question 2

Continuity of Composition and command of armies throughout the period (1500-1700) (2)

Answer 2

• Armies continued to be a mix of cavalry, infantry and artillery
• Most generals were still from higher classes, particular on Royalist side during the civil war

Question 3

Change of Composition and command of armies in the period (1500-1700) (4)

Answer 3

• Ratio of cavalry to infantry changed all the time but with no particular pattern
• Most generals wanted 2:1 (infantry:cavalry) but this did not always happen
• Successful soldiers given the command of the New Model Army during the Civil War - Cromwell, Fairfax
• Officers in NMA were given positions on merit, not because of social class

Question 4

Weapons & armour at the beginning of the period (1500) (4)

Answer 4

• Pikes used differently (Schiltrons) Longbows (much more power, higher rate of fire, further range) became the dominant force on the Battlefield e.g Agincourt
• Plate armour replaced chainmail although not very effective defence against Longbow
• Cannon developed across the period but not used extensively - jseful in sieges
• Firearms (e.g Hackbut) were developed but not really used widely before 1500

Question 5

Continuity of weapons & armour throughout the period (1560-1700) (3)

Answer 5

• Pikes still used extensively in 1500s
• Longbow still used extensively in early 1500s
• Plater armour still used in 1500s

Question 6

Change of weapons and armour in the period (1500-1700) (8)

Answer 6

• Artillery used much more in battles - guns were much lighter and easier to transport also cannon were more reliable by 1750
• 1500s - English wanted to copy Swiss Pikemen (armoured helmets and back and breast plates)
• 1500s - Infantry units gradually became a mixture of pikemen and musketeers
• Hackbut replaced by matchlock musket by 1550s. Flintlock musket gradually replaced matchlock by 1700
• Gradual trend from longbows to muskets in the 1500s due to changes in society (e.g farming, town growth so less time spent on practising archery)
• Cavalry armed with swords and pistols (mounted infantry-Dragoons)
• Armour gradually abandoned by 1700
• Muskets also had bayonets attached by the 1600s which made them more useful in hand to hand combat - pikes no longer necessary

Question 7

Tactics and strategy in the beginning of the period (1500) (3)

Answer 7

• New uses of pikes - Schiltrons (up to 2000 pikemen) used for defence and attack (e.g Bannockburn) increased infantry power and decline in mounted knight
• Archers used much more effectively in defence - placed on flanks to weaken enemy charges
• Cavalry now used as a more integrated part of the army

Question 8

Continuity of tactics and strategy throughout the period (1500-1700)

Answer 8

Cavalry and infantry still used in combination throughout the period

Question 9

Change of tactics and strategy in the period (1500-1700) (4)

Answer 9

• From 1530 onwards, new fortifications were built to with stand cannon fire (thick, low walls, bastions, angled to deflect cannon fire)
• Development of infantry tactics using musketeers and pikemen together (e.g in civil war)
• Musketeers in line in front of pikemen at the start of battle to fire freely but if attacked they would form a square with the pikemen outside to provide protection from cavalry
• From 1540s, Cavalry were used to ride close to the enemy and fire pistols. From 1640s, they were used as ‘shock troops’ again