This book describes and illustrates the armour, weapons, fortifications and ships of one of the least-known phases of the Medieval Crusades - the expeditions by Scandinavian Catholics against the pagan peoples to the east of the Baltic Sea, and their subsequent clashes with the Eastern Orthodox Russian princes of Novgorod and Muscovy. From isolated castles built in this bleak wilderness of forests, lakes and bogs, the small garrisons struggled equally against the enemy and the harsh terrain and climate. The text is illustrated with photographs of rare museum relics and of castles, and spirited colour plates by Angus McBride.
Table of Contents
· Introduction · The major participants · Early crusades, 11th–14th centuries · Organization of the crusaders and of their enemies · Later crusades 14th–15th centuries · Changes in weaponry, tactics and organization · From campaigning to permanent settlement · Conclusion
