The Army of Flanders and the Spanish Road, 1567–1659
The publication of The Army of Flanders and the Spanish Road in 1972 marked the birth of the 'new military history', which emphasized military organization - mobilization, pay, supply, morale and, above all, logistics - rather than military 'events' such as sieges and battles. Geoffrey Parker studied one of the great logistical feats of early modern Europe: how Habsburg Spain managed to maintain and mobilize the largest army in Europe in an 80-year effort to suppress the Dutch Revolt, at 700 miles' distance. Using a unique combination of surviving records, he presented strikingly the logistical problems of fighting wars in early modern Europe, and demonstrated why Spain failed to suppress the Dutch Revolt. The book has been constantly cited since its first publication in English (with translations into Spanish and Dutch). This revised second edition includes some new sources and updates some references but otherwise remains faithful to the original version.
- The standard, classic account of why Spain failed to suppress the Dutch Revolt (1567–1648)
- Shows the logistical obstacles that faced all early modern armies
- The original edition of the book was first example of the 'New Military History' - which stresses military organisation over military events
Product details
October 2004Paperback
9780521543927
336 pages
226 × 150 × 20 mm
0.43kg
6 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- List of illustrations
- Preface
- Preface to the second edition
- Acknowledgements
- Notes on spelling and currency
- Glossary
- List of abbreviations
- Introduction: the character of the low countries' wars
- Part I. Assembling an Army: the Problem of Distance:
- 1. Mobilization
- 2. The military corridors of the army of Flanders
- 3. The Spanish road
- 4. The high command
- Part II. Maintaining an Army: the Problem of Resources:
- 5. The army of Flanders and grand strategy
- 6. Financial resources
- 7. Life in the army of Flanders
- 8. Mutiny
- 9. Wastage and 'reformation'
- 10. Demobilization
- Conclusion: Spain, its enemies and the revolt of the Netherlands
- Appendices
- Bibliography
- Index.