My book on medieval military history is now out

**Hurin_Rules** · 01-31-2008, 18:02

Hi All.

I haven't posted on these boards in a while, but I thought I'd let everyone know that my first book has now been published (or will be within the next few weeks). It is being published by Manchester University Press and will be carried by Palgrave/Macmillan in the US and the University of British Columbia Press in Canada. You can also order it from Amazon.com or any of the other major online sellers if you like.

The title is, The Military Leadership of Matilda of Canossa, 1046-1115. It is an examination of the military career of one of the most successful female generals of all time, and one of the most important commanders (of either gender) of the age of Church reform and the Investiture Contest. You can read the full blurb on the links below.

What I'd like to do here is to keep this thread alive to answer any questions any of you might have about the military history of this period, or, if you decide to read it, any further questions you have about Matilda and her career.

There is also a sample chapter online, being hosted by the De re militari society (the society for medieval military history). You can read this chapter here:

http://www.deremilitari.org/resources/articles/hay.html

The Amazon link is here:

http://www.amazon.com/Military-Leade...1798737&sr=8-1

Cheers,

--Hurin (Dave)

**Geoffrey S** · 01-31-2008, 19:22

Congratulations! When it appears in my uni library, I'll be sure to check it out.

**Innocentius** · 01-31-2008, 20:29

Congratulations again! Interesting choice of topic as well, hadn't heard about her before

Do you by any chance have any more info and/or details on the Battle of Sorbara? Is that included in the previous chaper(s) to the one you linked to?

**Hurin_Rules** · 02-01-2008, 18:14

Originally Posted by Innocentius

Congratulations again! Interesting choice of topic as well, hadn't heard about her before

Do you by any chance have any more info and/or details on the Battle of Sorbara? Is that included in the previous chaper(s) to the one you linked to?

Yes, the previous chapter in the book (chapter 2) ends with a pretty detailed description of the Battle of Sorbara, based on the accounts of Ranger of Lucca, Pseudo-Bardo and several other accounts.

It really is quite a fascinating battle, as Matilda's forces caught the imperialists by surprise, stormed their camp, smashed their army and even took one of the three leading commanders (Bishop Eberhard of Parma) prisoner.

But for the full account, you have to get the book

Cheers

**The Stranger** · 02-08-2008, 20:15

Originally Posted by Innocentius

Congratulations again! Interesting choice of topic as well, hadn't heard about her before

Do you by any chance have any more info and/or details on the Battle of Sorbara? Is that included in the previous chaper(s) to the one you linked to?

same

**Veho Nex** · 02-07-2008, 03:35

Ouch 90$, I might get it though your a talented writer.

**frogbeastegg** · 02-08-2008, 20:35

Sounds like a topic I'd enjoy. Do you know if amazon.uk will stock it? The US site charges a small fortune and takes, in my experience, over a month to deliver to the UK.

**King Jan III Sobieski** · 02-09-2008, 05:10

Congrats, Hurin, from Historians everywhere!

**Mooks** · 02-10-2008, 21:51

2 questions.

1)Why have I never heard of this general before? A female general in the middle ages (besides joan de arc)! That seems like something that would be taught in high school

2) Was she hot? ;)

**Watchman** · 02-11-2008, 03:17

I don't think it was actually all that uncommon for noblewomen to lead troops (not normally in the actual battle, mind) - after all, the feudal military obligations of an estate didn't just vanish if the hubby died.

**King Jan III Sobieski** · 02-15-2008, 04:37

Originally Posted by holybandit

2) Was she hot? ;)

I'd like to second that

What about Queen Boudica (granted, she was a Roman-era Briton). I saw a History Channel documentary on her once; the actress who played her was smokin'...