History 2403E Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Early Modern Europe, Star Fort, Tercio
2 May 2018
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Warfare in Early Modern Europe
- Between 1480-1700,
o the HRE was involved in 25 wars,
o England 29,
o France in 34, and
o Spain in 36
- Entire 16th C. had less than 10 years of complete peace
- Entire 17th C. had 4 years of complete peace
o Century of the soldier
- Military expenditures of the early modern state
o 17thC, gov’ts at peace spent 75% of annual revenue on military matters
▪ Gov’ts at war spend up to 90%
- Way in which war was fought is changing
- Larger armies, more disciplined, better trained and new forms of technology (in terms of
weaponry)
Patterns of Army Growth
- 1600 – wars could have 20,000 men
- A century later XIV had a standing army of 200-300,000 men
o Ferdinand and Isabella and Charles V: tax effectively
▪ Early 17thC, a strong power
▪ Huge decline
o 17thC age of France
- Means of getting soldiers
o Can have forced conscription
o Appeals to patriotism
o Nation states are exceedingly primitive
o By 17thC, have national identities
o Enlist criminals
▪ Commute services to military services
o Unintended conscription
o From 1450-1650: dominant source of soldiers is mercenaries
▪ Army would be made up of groups of mercenaries
Growth in weaponry
- Gunpowder invented in the 8th or 9th C. in china makes it way to Europe somewhere in
the 13thC.
- Early firearms
o Manuscript in 1327, first description of gunpowder being used in Europe
- Metal cannons
o Would explode on those trying to fire them
▪ Did not understand friction
o Incredibly popular – kings liked the noise, sound and light
o Metallurgical techniques improved by 16thC.
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Document Summary
Between 1480-1700, the hre was involved in 25 wars: england 29, france in 34, and, spain in 36. Entire 16th c. had less than 10 years of complete peace. Entire 17th c. had 4 years of complete peace: century of the soldier. Military expenditures of the early modern state: 17thc, gov"ts at peace spent 75% of annual revenue on military matters, gov"ts at war spend up to 90% Way in which war was fought is changing. Larger armies, more disciplined, better trained and new forms of technology (in terms of weaponry) 1600 wars could have 20,000 men. A century later xiv had a standing army of 200-300,000 men: ferdinand and isabella and charles v: tax effectively, early 17thc, a strong power, huge decline, 17thc age of france. Gunpowder invented in the 8th or 9th c. in china makes it way to europe somewhere in the 13thc. Early firearms: manuscript in 1327, first description of gunpowder being used in europe.
