Marsh, Simon The Trayne of Artillery 1642-1646

Ordnance and associated capabilities of English armies during the First Civil War

Volume 133 of the series Century of the Soldier 1618-1721. Artillery trains are a neglected aspect of the military history of the English Civil War, despite the rich archival material they have left behind. Some historians have dismissed them as having little influence in battle, while acknowledging their usefulness in siege warfare. The Trayne of Artillery 16421646 seeks to challenge this perception and ensure that the importance of artillery trains to the armies of the Civil War receives wider recognition. Drawing on previously unpublished archival materials and a variety of other sources, The Trayne of Artillery 16421646 examines the organization, equipment, and use of artillery. It explores contemporary artillery doctrine as formulated by military writers and compares this theoretical framework with evidence from written accounts. In doing so, it offers a comprehensive understanding of operational practice and highlights areas where practice deviated from theory. The Trayne of Artillery 16421646 offers the first detailed examination in a single volume of the most important artillery trains established by both Parliamentary and Royalist forces, including those of the Earl of Essex, the Earl of Manchester, Sir William Waller, the Royalist Oxford Army, and the New Model Army. It also examines the smaller artillery trains raised by regional forces, presenting as complete a picture as possible of this often overlooked and misunderstood subject. The Trayne of Artillery 16421646 will appeal to military historians of the British Civil Wars as well as readers interested in the development and use of artillery. Wargamers and reenactors will also find much of value in this volume.