Prompt Cast
The Military Revolution of the 16th Century and its Impact on Warfare
TLDR The military revolution of the 16th century transformed warfare, leading to the rise of well-paid mercenary armies, the growth of military entrepreneurship, and the increasing complexity and ambition of strategies and tactics. This revolution resulted in constant conflict in Europe, the transformation of war into a business, and the development of new military technologies.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The Verge audiobook provides a sneak peek into the chapter on the one-armed German mercenary Gritzfunder Lichengen and the Military Revolution.
05:41
The military revolution of the 16th century transformed warfare, rendering the armored knight obsolete and leading to the rise of well-paid mercenary armies and the increasing complexity and ambition of strategies and tactics, ultimately culminating in the devastating Thirty Years War.
11:23
The military revolution of the 16th century led to constant conflict in Europe, with wars large and small being fought across the continent, resulting in the growth of military entrepreneurship and innovation, and the transformation of war into a business.
17:09
Kilian von Berlichingen's memoirs highlight his early calling to war and his experiences as a man at arms, showcasing the intertwining of violence and chivalry in the medieval definition of knighthood.
22:21
The rise of contract warfare in the 16th century allowed nobles like Berlichingen to continue their social role as military entrepreneurs by recruiting and leading units of hired soldiers, with major players in the field surrounding him and his loose concept of kinship allowing for family and business to go hand in hand.
28:37
In the 16th century, military contracting became a common form of agreement across Europe, with different terms and responsibilities depending on the region, and two types of contracting - one where a captain recruited soldiers and then looked for a contract, and another where an employer sought out soldiers or someone to find soldiers on their behalf.
33:58
The South German market for mercenaries in the 16th century was highly developed and specialized in recruiting and leading foot-slogging pikemen known as Lanzknechte, who were trained to fight shoulder to shoulder in dense formations with long pikes that could repel cavalry charges and steamroll through opposing infantry.
39:33
The Swiss military's effective militia system and offensive steamroller approach to battle made them highly sought-after mercenaries in Europe, leading to the imitation of their tactics by German pike infantry known as Lansknechte.
45:00
The rise of pikes and gunpowder weaponry, particularly the Archibus handgun, were key components of the military revolution in the 16th century.
50:32
Archibuses and artillery played a major role in battles and sieges during the military revolution, with archibuses creating killing zones and artillery rendering medieval fortifications obsolete.
55:54
In the midst of the military revolution, small wars and petty feuds played a significant role in shaping the political and military landscape, with men-at-arms and castles still being utilized alongside newer methods of warfare.
01:01:17
The military revolution was the result of an ongoing dialogue between conflicts small and large, with constant fighting giving rise to markets of professional soldiers who honed their skills and military technologies through consistent practice.
Categories:
History
Society & Culture
