Italian Militiaman 1260–1392

In the WARRIOR series. Details the fighting men of the Italian city states that successfully resisted the Holy Roman Emperor. Explores the composition, development and differences between the various militia units of the Italian city states of the 13th - 14th centuries. Emphasis is placed on the role of the crossbow as an infantry militia weapon.

Medieval Italy was characterized by regular warfare among its numerous city-states, as well as internal strife within comunes as aristocratic factions fought each other for domination of the cities' governments.

In this context, Italian warfare developed quickly, with the crossbow playing a key role in improving the armour technology of the Italian city militias that used them. This book traces the evolution of the Italian militiaman, providing a comprehensive view of all aspects of the late medieval Italian city militias, from the weaponry, attitudes and social backgrounds of their members, to the political context that made such formations necessary.