File:The art of war in the Middle Ages, A. D. 378-1515 (1885) (14761125144).jpg

Identifier: artofwarinmiddle00oman (find matches)
Title: The art of war in the Middle Ages, A. D. 378-1515
Year: 1885 (1880s)
Authors: Oman, Charles William Chadwick, Sir, 1860-1946
Subjects: Military art and science
Publisher: Oxford, B.H. Blackwell
Contributing Library: Harold B. Lee Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Brigham Young University

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s. The duke might range hismen in order of battle, but he could not be sure that they wouldfight. The old proverb that God was on the side of theConfederates was ever ringing in their ears, and so they werehalf beaten before a blow was struck. Charles had endeavouredto secure the efficiency of his army, by enlisting from each war-like nation of Europe the class of troops for which it wascelebrated. The archers of England, the arquebusiers ofGermany, the light cavalry of Italy, the pikemen of Flanders,marched side by side with the feudal chivalry of his Burgundianvassals. But the duke had forgotten that, in assembling so manynationalities under his banner, he had thrown away the cohesionwhich is all-important in battle. Without mutual confidence orcertainty that each comrade would do his best for the commoncause, the soldiery would not stand firm. Granson was lost ^ Yet even the Duke said, that Against the Swiss it will never do tomarch unprepared. Panagirola, quoted by Kirk, vol. iii.
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-A.D. 1515.) THE SWISS, 83 merely because the nerve of the infantry failed them at thedecisive moment, although they had not yet been engaged. In that fight the unskilful generalship of the Swiss had placedthe tactical advantages on the side of Charles: he had both out-flanked them and attacked one division of their army before theothers came up. He had, however, to learn that an armysuperior in morale and homogeneity, and thoroughly knowingits weapon, may be victorious in spite of all disadvantages.Owing to their eagerness for battle the Confederate vanguard(vorhut), composed of the troops of Bern, Freiburg, andSchwytz, had far outstripped the remainder of the force.Coming swifdy over the hill side in one of their usual deepcolumns, they found the whole Burgundian army spread outbefore them in battle array on the plain of Granson. As theyreached the foot of the hill they at once saw that the dukescavalry was preparing to attack them. Old experience hadmade them callous to such sightsartofwarinmiddle00oman

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