Encyclopedia of the Hundred Years War

(Hardback)

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Description

Provides clear, concise, and basic descriptions and definitions to over 260 key people, events, and terms relating to the series of conflicts between France and England in the 14th and 15th centuries that later came to be known as the Hundred Years War. The Encyclopedia of the Hundred Years War provides its users with clear, concise, and basic descriptions and definitions of people, events, and terms relating in some significant way to the series of intermittent conflicts that occurred between France and England in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, and that later came to be known collectively as the Hundred Years War. Because this volume focuses exclusively on war itself-what caused it, how it was fought, and what effects it had on the political, social, economic, and cultural life of England and Franceit is not a general overview of fourteenth- and fifteenth-century history in either country, but a specialized treatment of the Anglo-French warfare that occurred during those centuries. Entries cover battles, leaders, truces and treaties, military terms and tactics, and sources for the war, including the plays of William Shakespeare, who has long been an important if not always reliable source for information about the people and events of the Hundred Years War. The Encyclopedia was written primarily for students and other nonspecialists who have an interest-but little background-in this period of European history. Besides providing a highly usable resource for quickly looking up names and terms encountered in reading or during study, the Encyclopedia offers an excellent starting point for classroom or personal research on subjects relating to the course, causes, and consequences of the Hundred Years War. All entries conclude with suggested further readings. A comprehensive bibliography completes the encyclopedia, which is fully indexed.

Reviews

This one-volume encyclopedia on the Hundred Years War, which was fought off and on by England and France from 1337 to 1453, was written by independent scholar Wagner, who has been a professor of history and author/contributor to several European and American history books. This work focuses on the war itself. It is meant for students and general readers interested in basic information on persons, places, battles, and military terms of the war. Of the 256 entries, 104 are biographical. Entries are cross-referenced, and their average length is 750 words. Supplementing the entries themselves are a chronology, five maps, a few black-and-white illustrations, eight appendixes (lists of rulers and families, a list of period sources, and a list of battles), a general bibliography of English-language sources, and a list of French-language sources. Recommended. Academic and public libraries serving lower-/upper-division undergraduates and general readers. * Choice *
Written primarily for students and non-specialists, this reference provides more than 250 concise descriptions and definitions of people, events, and terms relating to the Hundred Years War. Although the focus is on political and military events in France and England during the period 1337-1453, the effects of the conflict on other states in Western Europe are also addressed. Each entry contains cross-references to related entries as well as suggestions for further reading. Supplemental materials include maps, a detailed chronology, and listings of European rulers and monarchs. The volume concludes with an extensive general bibliography, organized by topic. * Reference & Research Book News *
The book is intended to be a convenient reference source for basic information and it meets that goal well. I will keep a copy handy near my desk. * The Journal of Military History *
Readers in both public and academic libraries will find it a useful guide to a crucial period of English and French history. * Reference Reviews *
This comprehensive work covers the conflict's traditional dates of 1337-1453 with more than 250 alphabetically arranged entries, approximately 104 of which are biographies. The introductory material contains a useful preface describing the scope of the book and the criteria for inclusion; a general chronology; a guide to entries and related topics; and a series of clear, reproducible black-and-white maps. The major battles are covered, as are such topics as artillery, siege warfare, and propaganda. Entries on battles and other events provide background information, detailed descriptions, and summaries of their significance. Biographical entries include particularly extensive see-also references. All entries conclude with a list of further readings. . . . Also included is a fascinating annotated list of primary sources-mostly English-and an extensive bibliography. . . . This work will fill a gap in reference collections. * School Library Journal *
Concentrating on the years from 1337 to 1453, this encyclopedia is intended for students and other nonspecialists who have an interest-but little background-in this period of European history. Author Wagner is a history professor at Arizona State University, and the work demonstrates both his grasp of this complicated period in European history and his understanding of the needs of undergraduate students. . . . The volume has several extras that will be useful for students and librarians. In particular, the Guide to Related Topics groups entries by popular research-paper topics such as politics, women, and economics, in addition to people and places. For example, Burgundy lists entries on the Treaty of Amiens, the Anglo-Burgundian alliance, Anne of Burgundy, and all the various kings and dukes of Burgundy. Other useful features include genealogies, chronologies, maps, and an annotated listing of selected readings. Highly recommended for academic and large public libraries. * Booklist/Reference Books Bulletin *

Author Bio

John A. Wagner has taught British and U.S. history at Phoenix College and at Arizona State University. He holds a BA from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and an MA and PhD from Arizona State University. He is the author of The Devon Gentleman: The Life of Sir Peter Carew (1998), The Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World (1999), which was a History Book Club Selection, The Encyclopedia of the Wars of the Roses (2001), and Bosworth Field to Bloody Mary: An Encyclopedia of the Early Tudors (2003). He is also a contributor to the Historical Dictionary of Late Medieval England, 1272-1485 (2002), to Women in the Middles Ages: An Encyclopedia (2004), and to the Encyclopedia of American Race Riots (2006).