Abram, Andrew Supplying the New Model Army. Logistics, arms, ammunition, clothing, victuals and the matériel of war, 1645-1646

Volume 124 of the 'Century of the Soldier 1618-1721' series. The orthodox view of modern authors that seventeenth-century armies relied more on plunder and free quarter is widely held, but recent research suggests that this custom increasingly changed during the British Civil Wars. The formation, politics, religious identity, officer corps and campaigns (particularly the Battle of Naseby) of the New Model Army under the command of Sir Thomas Fairfax have been the focus of various authors, but little attention has been paid to the supply and logistics of this force. The result was a critical gap in understanding the recruitment, rations, artillery, munitions, clothing, armament and logistics employed by the Committee of the Army both in the formation of the New Model Army and in subsequent campaigns. The methods of supplying this force of up to 17,000 men in the field inevitably required a largely centralised system operating at increasing distances from London and the army's headquarters in Reading. This study challenges the prevailing view that Fairfax's troops in 1645 and 1646 relied increasingly on local sources rather than an organised supply system of London manufacturers and other commercial means. As such, this highly relevant and important work adds significantly to our knowledge of the New Model Army's supplies, strengths and appearance and will appeal to academics, local historians, re-enactors and wargamers.

Pages : 314 | Images : 6 b/w illustrations, 10 b/w photos, 47 tables