Henry of Lancaster's Expedition to Aquitaine 1345-1346

In 1345 Henry of Lancaster earl of Derby - the most prominent soldier diplomat and statesman of his generation - led an English royal army to the duchy of Aquitaine and inflicted two devastating defeats on the French royal forces. These were the first decisive victories for either side and swung the course of the Hundred Years' War dramatically in England's favour. The remarkable success of the expedition however has been overshadowed in history by Edward III's more celebrated victory at Crecy the following year. This reassessment of a neglected campaign draws on a wealth of original source material to furnish an examination of the campaign in the round; recruitment preparations and financial administration as well as its events and achievements are examined closely. A detailed biographical study of the individuals who took up arms under Lancaster's command forms a main part of this work: the portrayal of hundreds of careers in arms allows us to glean a sense of what life was like for soldiers in this army and in the later Middle Ages in general. An investigation of the men's martial experience motivations for service and personal military networks provides an understanding of how and indeed why the army was so effective in the field of war. It also reveals much about the emergence of professionalism in English medieval armies and offers a reassessment of Lancaster's importance as a captain administrator and diplomat and above all as a successful military commander. Nicholas A. Gribit gained his PhD from the University of Leeds.