Military developments during the Middle Ages occurred in several stages and involved all of Europe, North Africa and the Near East. Burgundian archer 1470 Other events beyond this geographical limit cast their effects therein, but for the sake of brevity will be omitted from this article. The broadest possible interpretation of what constitutes the "Middle Ages" is incorporated into this timeline. The resultant evolution illustrates a transformation from barbarian warbands upon the fall of the Western Roman Empire to sophisticated professional armies at the dawn of the modern age. Stage 1: The Emergence of Barbarian Successor States in Western Europe: mid-5th Century - mid-6th Century The following states emerged from the ruins of the Western Roman Empire: a) Frankish Gaul b) Ostrogothic Italy c) Visigothic Spain d) Vandal Africa e) Anglo-Jute-Saxon Britain The Goths and the Vandals emphasized the use of mailed lancers, the precursors of medieval knights, while the Franks, Angles, Jutes, Saxons and Burgundians relied on their infantry. Internecine conflict existed among them, but no clear-cut advantage could be gained by anyone to re-establish the political unity that had existed under the Romans. Stage 2: Eastern Roman or Byzantine resurgence under Justinian: mid-6th Century: The last major expansion of the eastern Romans took place at this time and encompassed nearly all of the Mediterranean basin as well as the Roman-Persian border in Mesopotamia. Belisarius and Narses were the principle commanders involved, and their usually outnumbered armies triumphed through the successful integration of all arms, emphasizing the mailed cataphract lancer. Science was applied to warfare theoretically and technologically, to become the foundation of medieval military doctrine. Stage 3: The Expansion of Islam: 7th through early 8th Centuries: The warriors of Islam burst forth from Arabia to completely submerge the last vestiges of the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean and Persia. They conquered Syria, Egypt, North Africa, most of Spain, southern France, Persia, and even besieged Constantinople. They fought as mounted infantry supported by some cavalry and archers in the beginning, and they evolved toward being a largely cavalry army as time went on, incorporating Byzantine, Persian and Central Asian techniques. Recent converts usually served a useful function as "ghazis" or fanatics, while various guard units, called "Ghulams," provided Islam's most reliable troops. Stage 4: The Carolingian Epoch; late 8th Century through early 9th Century: The expansion of Charlemagne provided Europe with its first organized expansion on a major scale since the fall of Rome. The Carolingian Empire was developing the social and military traits that would later characterize all of Europe. Militarily, the mounted lancer had achieved primary status. Carolingian expansion reached into northern Spain, northern Italy, Germany and Bohemia. A variety of foes included Saracens, Lombards, Saxons, Slavs, and Avars. Charlemagne's successors could not maintain the momentum that he had begun, and their civil wars again divided western Europe and set the stage of further alien encroachments. Stage 5: Renewed Barbarian Attacks upon Europe; 9th-10th Centuries: New barbarian invasions engulfed western and eastern Europe for about 150 years. They included: a. Viking raids-spreading from England, northern Europe, the Mediterranean, through the great river system of Russia. The Vikings enjoyed great mobility in coastal seas and up inland riverways through their vaunted long boats. Once ashore, they captured any available horses and fought as mounted or at least fast-moving infantry. b. Magyar raids-from their base in Hungary, the Magyars raided throughout central Europe until destroyed by Otto I at Lechfeld in 955. They represented the third wave of Asiatic horse archers to invade Europe after the Huns and Avars. As before, their primary tactic was the feint retreat and subsequent ambush of pursuers. As before, heavy cavalry that was utiIized properly proved to be their downfalI. c. Rus/Bulgar expansion -against the Byzantines in southern Russia and the Balkans. These rival states copies Byzantine military practices to the best of their abilities and eventually turned on their teachers to gain territory and trade concessions. The neo-Viking Rus were largely close order infantry with some support from horse archers, while the Bulgars contained heavy cavalry lancers, horse archers and Slavic infantry support. By the time this stage ended, western Europe was largely feudal and the supremacy of the mailed heavy cavalry lancer was assured. Stage 6: Europe Expands along all of its Borders; 11th-13th Centuries: This period witnessed the height of European feudalism and Europe's expansion along all of its borders at the expense of its erstwhile foes. The Normans conquered Anglo-Saxon England and established duchies in southern Italy and Sicily; their war against Byzantium further weakened that state when it was reeling under renewed Islamic onslaughts as well. The "Drang nach Osten" expressed Germanic expansion into pagan and Slavic eastern Europe. The "Reconquista" in Spain began in earnest with several victories against Islamic successor states that reclaimed half of the Iberian peninsula. The English launched their wars against Scotland and Wales that were to eventually lead to the consolidation of Britain under English sovereignty. France developed the highest form of feudalism in Europe, but expanded the power of the crown into Provence/ Languedoc in order to consolidate that realm on a more centralized basis. Finally, the Crusades began and brought together the armies of Christianity and Islam in the crucible of warfare that would lead to the reintegration of combined arms on both sides. Disciplined infantry mercenaries became a vital component in all armies thereafter. Stage 7: The Mongol Conquests; the 13th Century: The Mongol Conquests embroiled all of the Eurasian land mass in wars that consumed many states and influenced all of them. The Mongols emerged under Genghis Khan as a barbaric horde of horse archers and within two generations destroyed the Sung Dynasty in China, the Kwarisimian Empire in Central Asia, and the states of Kievan Rus. They established successor states in Russia, Transcaucasia, Persia, Central Asia China and Korea; they nearly extended their conquest to Japan, Europe and the Holy Land. Their army was the highest expression of combined arms of their era and their strategy was almost worldwide. Almost as meteoric as their rise was, they became absorbed into the more advanced civilizations they conquered. Stage 8: Dynamic Wars and Professional Armies; tht 14th-15th Centuries: Many trends that had been building up in the 300 years preceding this epoch culminated at this point. Feudal armies gave way to professional combined forces, and although cavalry predominated in most armies, its demise as the dominant arm became apparent or several occasions. Wars became more far ranging and state resources became harnessed more effectively to support the war effort. Some of the principle events of this period included a. The Hundred Years War between England and France. b. The Rise of the Ottoman Turks culminating in the Fall of Constantinople. c. The End of the Crusades and the expulsion of Europeans from the Holy Land. d. The triumphant conclusion of the "Reconquista" in Spain. e. The brief emergence of Burgundy as an amalgaman of medieval and modern military practices. f. The development of the professional soldier or "condottierre" especially in Italy, but throughout all of Europe. This very basic medieval military timeline is intended for the beginner in wargaming, or at least the novice in the Middle Ages. Ian Heath's extensive research and four volumes produced for Wargames Research Group (available through THE COURIER) should provide many hours of reading enjoyment for the beginners who is stimulated to learn more about the medieval era. The medieval period revealed in this timeline is~ simple yet complex in the number of states, wars tactical and weapons trends it portrays. There is a multitude of figures available to build just about any arm, described herein, but they will be reviewed in a late issue. Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. IV #3 To Courier List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1982 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com