Bretwalda Battles Series

A key naval action that confirmed British control of the Indian Ocean and its rich trade at a crucial point in the Napoleonic Wars. The battle of Pulo Aor is today rather overshadowed by the contemporary victories of Nelson in European waters, but in its day it was every bit as famous as Trafalgar, Aboukir and The Saints. In 1803 French Emperor Napoleon sent Admiral Charles-Alexander Linois with a powerful fleet of warships to the Indian Ocean to disrupt the rich Eastern trade on which Britain relied to finance its war effort against France. After preliminary skirmishing and manoeuvres, Linois closed with the main British merchant convoy of the winter off the island of Pulo Aor. The British commander, Commodore Nathaniel Dance knew he was heavily outnumbered, but he gambled on Linois’s caution and an bold display of aggression to make up for his lack of numbers. In the battle that followed the French ships were driven off as much by clever use of the wind and swift manoeuvring as by gunfire. Dance went home to a hero’s welcome, leaving Linois to lick his wounds and prepare for a final showdown with the British navy some months later. About the Author Rupert Matthews has written over 150 books for different publishers, achieving significant sales in a variety of markets both in the UK and abroad. His works have been translated into 19 languages and have been shortlisted for a number of awards. Rupert has been a freelance writer for 20 years, working in-house at a major book publisher before going freelance.

A book dedicated to the Battle of Lincoln that marked a turning point in the Wars of Anarchy during the reign of King Stephen in the 12th century. A civil war between King Stephen and his rival Empress Matilda broke out in 1136. By 1141 England had fallen in to anarchy with nobles using the unrest to pursue local feuds, slaughter rivals and pillage each other’s land. In 1141 Stephen moved to capture Lincoln Castle and put down one such recalcitrant nobleman. While there he was surprised and attacked by a larger army loyal to Matilda. The ensuing battle was complex and confused, but it ended with Stephen utterly defeated - for now. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battle is then followed, short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The “Bretwalda Battles” series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 When God and his Angels slept Chapter 2 Leaders at Lincoln Chapter 3 Men, Weapons and Tactics Chapter 4 The Battle of Lincoln Chapter 5 Aftermath About the Author Rupert Matthews has written over 180 books, mostly on history or military subjects for a wide variety of publishers. He has made a particular study of English battlefields, having walked across dozens of them, handled replica weapons and studied dozens of contemporary accounts

Men from Hampshire have for generations fought in the ranks of the Royal Hampshire Regiment, or its predecessors. All 160 Battle Honours of the regiment are featured in this book, including Blenheim, Minden, Barrosa, Kabul, Paardeburg, Mons, The Somme, Mesopotamia, Ypres, Passchendaele, Dunkirk, North Africa, Sicily, D-Day and Rhine Crossing.

A book dedicated to the four sieges of Newark during the English Civil War, the last of which marked the collapse of Royalist power in the Midlands. In 1642 King Charles I summoned Newark to support him, which it did with men, money and munitions. The city and castle where thereafter a loyal bastion of Royalist support on the edge of Parliamentarian territory. A roundhead attackin 1643 was driven off, as was a desultory siege in 1644. In 1645 the Roundheads arrived in large numbers, with heavy cannon and great determination. The Royalist garrison fougth back with imagination and courage, turning this into a text book example of 17th century seigework. After seven months garrison surrendered, ending Royalist hopes in this area of England. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The “Bretwalda Battles” series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 The English Civil War Chapter 2 Siege Warfare in the Civil War Chapter 3 The First Sieges of Newark Chapter 4 The Great Siege of Newark Chapter 5 Aftermath About the Author Rupert Matthews has written over 180 books, mostly on history or military subjects for a wide variety of publishers. He has made a particular study of English battlefields, having walked across dozens of them, handled replica weapons and studied dozens of contemporary accounts.

A book dedicated to the only battle ever fought in Rutland - the Battle of Losecoat Field, a turning point in the Wars of the Roses. In 1470 the Yorkist King Edward IV was apparently secure on his throne, but unknown to him he was about to be betrayed by his own brother, George of Clarence, and the powerful nobleman Richard Earl of Warwick. The rebellion began in Lincolnshire with an uprising of discontented peasanats egged on by fugitive Lancastrians, Edward hurried north up the Great North Road with a small force unaware that he was betrayed and that he would meet his enemies near Empingham in Losecoat Field. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The “Bretwalda Battles” series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 The Wars of the Roses Chapter 2 Men, Weapons and Tactics Chapter 3 The Battle of Losecoat Field Chapter 4 Aftermath About the Author Rupert Matthews has written over 180 books, mostly on history or military subjects for a wide variety of publishers. He has made a particular study of English battlefields, having walked across dozens of them, handled replica weapons and studied dozens of contemporary accounts.

A book dedicated to the Battle of Chesterfield that ended the Baronial Wars of King Henry III against Simon de Montfort. After Simon de Montfort’s death at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, his supporters rallied in Derbyshire. Sending messages to other reformers to rally to their cause the rebels were expecting help from the King of France, but it was Prince Edward (later King EdwardI) who got there first with a royal army. The resulting battle began in the fields south of the town, but moved into the streets of the town and ended in the churchyard where the last rebels surrendered. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 The March to Chesterfield Chapter 2 Leaders at Chesterfield Chapter 3 Men, Weapons and Tactics Chapter 4 The Battle of Chesterfield Chapter 5 Aftermath About the Author Rupert Matthews has written over 180 books, mostly on history or military subjects for a wide variety of publishers. He has made a particular study of English battlefields, having walked across dozens of them, handled replica weapons and studied dozens of contemporary accounts.

A book about the bloody Battle of Northampton, a key turning point in the Wars of the Roses fought in 1460. In 1460 the Yorkists in the Wars of the Roses seemed doomed. The Duke of York was in exile, his friends in hiding and his army scattered. Then Edward, Yorks dashing son, returned from France and summoned his supporters to join him. With him marched the experienced Earl of Warwick, but at Northampton they encountered a powerful Lancastrian army under the veteran Duke of Buckingham. The savage fighting that followed changed the situation entirely and gave the Yorkists the upper hand. This book brings an exciting new look to the Wars of the Roses. The course of the war is given, but the emphasis is on the battle and the men who fought there. There are detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies, tactical diagrams explain how the troops formed up and moved, and a study of the commanders. The course of the battle is followed with the aid of maps, relating to the ground today. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The “Bretwalda Battles” series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 The Wars of the Roses Chapter 2 Leaders at Northampton Chapter 3 Men, Weapons and Tactics Chapter 4 The Battle of Northampton Chapter 5 Aftermath About the Author Rupert Matthews has written over 180 books, mostly on history or military subjects for a wide variety of publishers. He has made a particular study of English battlefields, having walked across dozens of them, handled replica weapons and studied dozens of contemporary accounts.

The sweeping victory of the Welsh at Cardigan (Crug Mawr) was historic. It not only put the victor, Owain Gwynedd in a position to rule Wales free of English domination, it also marked the arrival on the battlefields of Europe of a new, deadly and uniquely Welsh weapon. The longbow had arrived. A Welsh revolt against Norman rule had begun in south Wales, where on 1 January 1136 the Welsh won a victory over the local Norman forces at the Battle of Llwchwr between Loughor and Swansea. This led to an invasion by the forces of Gwynedd, led by Owain Gwynedd and Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd, sons of the king of Gwynedd, Gruffydd ap Cynan. They captured a number of castles in northern Ceredigion and made an alliance with Gruffydd ap Rhys of Deheubarth. The combined forces headed for Cardigan. There they met the combined forces of all the Normans in South Wales. Fought just east of the town of Ceredigion (Cardigan) on the slopes of the Crug Mawr hill this battle was hard fought and decisive. This book explains the background to the battle, looks at the forces involved and follows the course of the fighting. Contents Chapter 1 - The Outbreak of War Chapter 2 - The Armies Chapter 3 - The Battle About the Author Rupert Matthews has written over 150 books for different publishers, achieving significant sales in a variety of markets both in the UK and abroad. His works have been translated into 19 languages and have been shortlisted for a number of awards. Rupert has been a freelance writer for 20 years, working in-house at a major book publisher before going freelance.

A book dedicated to the three sieges of Leicester in 943 and in the summer of 1645, events that saw much of the medieval city razed to the ground and hundreds of citizens killed. Leicester spent most of the English Civil War at peace, a garrison town for Parliament in the Midlands. Then in May 1645 Royalist Prince Rupert arrived and laid siege to the city. After conducting a skilful siege, Rupert’s men assaulted the town and burst in to butcher the garrison and loot the houses and churches. Rupert marched off, leaving his own garrison. The Royalists had barely repared the walls when a Roundhead army arrived, laid siege and then stormed the town in their turn, adding more bloodshed and destruction. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 The Viking Wars Chapter 2 The Siege of Leicester 943 Chapter 3 The English Civil War Chapter 4 Siege Warfare in the English Civil War Chapter 5 The Sieges of Leicester 1645 Chapter 6 Aftermath About the Author Rupert Matthews has written over 180 books, mostly on history or military subjects for a wide variety of publishers. He has made a particular study of English battlefields, having walked across dozens of them, handled replica weapons and studied dozens of contemporary accounts.

In the chaos that engulfed Britain after the “Age of Arthur”, one battle stands out. This was a key battle fought in the heart of the Dark Ages for control of southern Britain that pitched the King of Kent against the leader of the Romano-Britons. The victory won here decided the fate of Britain for a generation. Fought across what is now built up Wimbledon the battle raged from the ford that carried the Roman road Stane Street over the River Wandle to the defences of Caesar’s Camp on Wimbledon Common. The bloodshed was profuse as thousands of men packed shoulder to shoulder hacked at each other with spear, sword and knife. In this book historian Oliver Hayes outlines the reasons for the war and gives detailed notes on English weaponry and tactics of the time before describing the events of the battle itself and its aftermath. What has for years been a little-known and poorly understood event in early English history is here described and explained clearly for a general readership. Contents Chapter 1 - The Outbreak of War Chapter 2 - The March to Wimbledon Chapter 3 - The Commanders and Armies Chapter 4 - The Battle of Wimbledon Chapter 5 - The Aftermath Chapter 6 - A Note on Dates, Place names and Sources About the Author Oliver Hayes is a student of military history who has written a number of books and articles on military subjects. His training and background is in Dark Age History.

At Talavera a British army under Sir Arthur Wellesley (later the Duke of Wellington) tried to link up with a Spanish army under General Cuesta to ambush a French corps under Marshal Victor. But things went wrong and the British had to fight their way to safety. This book forms part of the Bretwalda Battles series on The Peninsular War. The book outlines the Peninsular War up to the start of the Talavera Campaign. It then analyses the careers of the commanders and explains the tactics and weapons of the time together with any differences between the practices of the armies involved in the battle. The book then describes the action in detail before moving on to outline events after the battle. Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War in general or the Battle of Talavera in particular. Please note that some sections - for instance that on tactics - are repeated in other books in this series so you may care to purchase the compilation volume on The Peninsular War, which includes all the battles with no repeated text.

In 1940 Hitler’s Germany launched an unprovoked attack on little Denmark. The campaign was meticulously planned and over in hours. It saw the first ever use of paratroops in war, the first German amphibious landings of the war and the threat of terror bombing of cities and towns. The Fall of Denmark is often overlooked by historians as the campaign was over in a matter of hours. But the campaign does repay study for it revealed the traditional German staff work at its finest. Every move in the campaign had been planned in advance with roads and bridges having been inspected to ensure they could carry the weight of panzers and artillery. The key targets in Denmark had been clearly identified and plans for their capture set out for the men who would undertake the operation. The invasion of Denmark largely went like clockwork for the Germans, but there were some upsets when Danish resistance was stronger than expected and small Danish garrisons held out beyond the ceasefire, or sought safety in Sweden from where they could travel to Britain to continue the fight against the Nazis. In this book author Oliver Hayes looks in detail at the Fall of Denmark. He explains why Hitler attacked, how the campaign was planned and how it worked in practice. He analyses the senior commanders and the weapons at their disposal. Using contemporary press accounts and the latest research, Hayes gives a thrilling and yet accurate account of the Fall of Denmark. About the Author Oliver Hayes is a student of military history who has written a number of books and articles on military subjects and has taken a particular interest in colonial wars of the 19th century.

With British & American troops again in Afghanistan, this book looks back to a previous conflict when Islamic fundamentalists again sought to overthrow the government of Afghanistan and British troops went in to pacify the area. In September 1879 rebels against Emir Yaqub Khan massacred the British residents of Kabul. The British put together a column of 7,000 men to march on Kabul, punish the rebels and restore order. Led by the famous General Fred Roberts VC (later Earl Roberts) the column reached Kabul but was soon surrounded by a vast force of some 50,000 Afghan tribesmen. The siege that followed showed the bravery of the Afghans and the steadiness of the British in equal measure. In this book the author looks at the events of the Battle of Kabul and at the events that caused it. He also describes the weapons used by both sides and looks at how the battle was fought. The Battle of Kabul proved to be just the first in the grinding and bloody conflict known to history as the 2nd Afghan War. About the Author Oliver Hayes is a student of military history who has written a number of books and articles on military subjects and has taken a particular interest in colonial wars of the 19th century.

At Gerona in 1808 the French for the first time ran into a Spanish army that neither ran away nor surrendered. The epic defence of Gerona lasted for over a year and saw the French throw everything that they had at the old walls around the city. The Spanish fought back gallantly, using their bare hands when they ran out of ammunition. The city still celebrates as a public holiday the day the French were thrown back from the breaches. This book forms part of the Bretwalda Battles series on The Peninsular War. The book outlines the Peninsular War up to the start of the Gerona Campaign. It then analyses the careers of the commanders and explains the tactics and weapons of the time together with any differences between the practices of the armies involved in the battle. The book then describes the action in detail before moving on to outline events after the sieges. With 26,000 words and numerous illustrations this book is a definitive account of the battle. Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War in general or the Battle of Talavera in particular.

By the spring of 1814 the Peninsular War was nearing its climax. The British army under Wellington was invading southern France, but they were faced by a larage French army under the cunning French Marshal Soult. Wellington’s attack on Toulouse was to prove to be one of his hardest fought actions. The British, Portuguese and Spanish armies of Lord Wellington had defeated the French in Spain and were now invading France itself. They mustered about 40,000 men, but sheltering behind the fortified city of Toulouse was French Marshal Soult with 49,000 men. But all was not what it seemed. The city was rife with French royalists just waiting the chance to change sides, while Wellington was terrified his men would take to looting and rape, turning the French civilians against them. What followed proved to be a masterpiece of defensive fighting by Soult while Wellington was - for once - cautious and outmanoeuvred. Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War. It includes not only an account of the action itself, but studies of the commanders, the armies, the weapons and the tactics as well. Author: Oliver Hayes

It was the Battle of Vimeiro that established the reputation of Sir Arthur Wellesley, later to be the Duke of Wellington. This book forms part of the Bretwalda Battles series on The Peninsular War. The book outlines the Peninsular War up to the start of the Gerona Campaign. It then analyses the careers of the commanders and explains the tactics and weapons of the time together with any differences between the practices of the armies involved in the battle. The book then describes the action in detail before moving on to outline events after the sieges. With 33,000 words and numerous illustrations this book is a definitive account of the battle. Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War in general or the Battle of Talavera in particular. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 - The Peninsular War Chapter 2 - The Commanders at Vimiero Chapter 3 - Weapons, Soldiers and Tactics Chapter 4 - The French Army Chapter 5 - The British Army Chapter 6 - The Battle of Vimeiro Chapter 7 - After Vimeiro

By the summer of 1813 the Peninsular War had reached a crisis. The British army under Wellington was poised to invade France, but he was faced by the towering Pyrenees mountains and the cunning French Marshal Soult. What followed was a classic campaign of mountain fighting. The British, Portuguese and Spanish armies of Lord Wellington had defeated the French in Spain and were poised to invade France itself. They mustered about 62,000 men, but on the far side of the mountains was French Marshal Soult with 79,000 men. What followed was a complex series of actions, countermarches and manoeuvres that saw the two armies thrust and parry among the mountain passes and defiles. Men froze on the heights, horses starved for lack of fodder, and yet the fighting went on. It was one of Wellington’s most arduous and prolonged campaigns. Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War. It includes not only an account of the action itself, but studies of the commanders, the armies, the weapons and the tactics as well.

On 2 May 1808 the Spanish capital of Mardrid erupted into savage violence. The citizens of Madrid had had enough of the French army in thier city and were rising up to throw them out. Artillery blasted down narrow streets, cavalry charged across the plazas and infantry slaughtered each other in the narrow alleys. The Peninsular War had begun. This book forms part of the Bretwalda Battles series on The Peninsular War. The book outlines the background to the Peninsular War. It then analyses the careers of the commanders and explains the tactics and weapons of the time together with any differences between the practices of the armies involved in the battle. The book then describes the action in detail before moving on to outline events after the battle. With 25,000 words and numerous illustrations this book is a definitive account of the battle. Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War in general or the Madrid Uprising in particular. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 - The Peninsular War Chapter 2 - The Commanders at Madrid Chapter 3 - Weapons, Soldiers and Tactics Chapter 4 - The French Army Chapter 5 - The Spanish Army Chapter 6 - The Madrid Uprising Chapter 7 - After Madrid

The Retreat to Corunna was a spectacular defeat for the British Army, yet it managed to save its reputation by carrying out one of the great fighting retreats of military history. In 1808 a British army under Sir John Moore advanced from its base at Lisbon into Spain to aid Spanish armies fighting against a French invasion led by the Emperor Napoleon himself. As the British approached Madrid they learned that the main Spanish army had been destroyed by Napoleon and Madrid captured by the French. Hundreds of miles from base, cut off by marauding French cavalry, the British had to fight their way out or risk utter destruction. What followed was an epic march over the mountains in winter to reach the port of Corunna where the Royal Navy waited to rescue the outnumbered British army. But who would get to Corunna first - Moore or Napoleon. Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War. This book forms part of the Bretwalda Battles series on The Peninsular War. Contents Chapter 1 - The Peninsular War Chapter 2 - The Commanders at Corunna Chapter 3 - Weapons, Soldiers and Tactics Chapter 4 - The French Army Chapter 5 - The British Army Chapter 6 - The Retreat to Corunna Chapter 7 - After Corunna About the Author Oliver Hayes is a military historian who has written extensively for books and magazines on different aspects of the military. He is now writing a series of books on the Peninsular War for Bretwalda Books.

Key note: The Battle of Albuera was one of the bloodiest, and yet least decisive of the battles fought in the Peninsular War. In the spring of 1811, the French armies in Portgual were in headlong retreat, falling back into Spain to regroup. As they fell back they left a powerful garrison in the great fortress town of Badajoz, soon put under siege by the British commander, Arthur Wellesley, better known by his later title of the Duke of Wellington. French Marshal Soult gathered a large army to march to relieve Badajoz and restart the invasion of Portugal. At the village of Albuera, Soult ran into a mixed British-Portuguese-Spanish force under William Beresford placed there by Wellesley to block the road to Badajoz. What followed was one of the hardest fought battles of the entire Peninsular War. Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War. This book forms part of the Bretwalda Battles series on The Peninsular War. Contents Chapter 1 - The Peninsular War Chapter 2 - The Commanders at Albuera Chapter 3 - Weapons, Soldiers and Tactics Chapter 4 - The French Army Chapter 5 - The Spanish Army Chapter 6 - The British Army Chapter 7 - The Portuguese Army Chapter 8 - The Battle of Albuera Chapter 9 - After Albuera About the Author Oliver Hayes is a military historian who has written extensively for books and magazines on different aspects of the military. He is now writing a series of books on the Peninsular War for Bretwalda Books.

The Battle of Barrosa was an unexpected British victory in the Peninsular War. Caught strung out on the march on a mountain road by a superior French army, the British should have been annihilated, but instead gained a stunning victory. In the spring of 1811, the French were laying siege to the Spanish city of Cadiz, in which the Spanish government sheltered. The British general Sir Thomas Graham marched to relieve the city, aided by a Spanish army under General la Pena. But when La Pena did not make the rendezvous, French Marshal Victor was able to ambush the British in the mountains around the village of Barrosa. What followed was a classic example of British line tactics facing up to French column tactics in battle. . Written by a military author of great experience, this book explains the way battles were fought two centuries ago and explains the course of the action in an accessible but authoritative style. This lavishly illustrated ebook is a must for anyone interested in the Peninsular War. This book forms part of the Bretwalda Battles series on The Peninsular War. Contents Chapter 1 - The Peninsular War Chapter 2 - The Commanders at Barrosa Chapter 3 - Weapons, Soldiers and Tactics Chapter 4 - The French Army Chapter 5 - The Spanish Army Chapter 6 - The British Army Chapter 7 - The Battle of Barrosa Chapter 8 - After Barrosa About the Author Oliver Hayes is a military historian who has written extensively for books and magazines on different aspects of the military. He is now writing a series of books on the Peninsular War for Bretwalda Books.