Stephen Bennett
Dr Stephen Bennett is historian specialising in medieval warfare. He is a former infantry officer, and a graduate of both the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (UK) and Escuela Superior de las Fuerzas Armadas (Spain).
less
InterestsView All (28)
Uploads
Papers
This paper draws from research into a late twelfth century noble network, i.e. a social structure that is composed of both elite human actors, as well as non-human actors (such as religious foundations). Data drawn from eyewitness accounts, chronicles, letters, and charter material has been used to establish relationships between these elite actors and consider how, alongside ideology, ties of kinship, family, friendships, locality and patronage were important mediators to becoming a crusader.
This paper draws upon eyewitness accounts, chronicles, letters, and charter material in order to ascertain the composition of Richard’s household. It argues that, while ties of kinship and patronage could prove important to gaining entry into the familia regis, and that membership of local networks dominated the appointment of regional officials, there remained considerable potential for advancement through merit, as is demonstrated by the presence of members drawn from across north-western Europe, and elsewhere. Moreover, the market of virtues based on exchange that underpinned the royal household was tempered by a pragmatic version of loyalty that differs from modern definitions; allowing for temporary and shifting alliances.
Key words: Military Household, Mesnie, Crusading
Based on research into the composition of Richard I’s household during the Third Crusade and analysis of the organisation of the Military Orders in battle, this paper will argue that the Hospitaller’s charge was led by experienced commanders, acting under King Richard’s delegated authority. Rather than a failure in discipline, their charge is an example how a medieval general might decentralise command to trusted subordinates to act in accordance with his overall intent.
Based on research into the composition of Richard I’s household during the Third Crusade and analysis of the organisation of the Military Orders in battle, this paper will argue that the Hospitaller’s charge was led by experienced commanders, acting under King Richard’s delegated authority. Rather than a failure in discipline, their charge is an example how a medieval general might decentralise command to trusted subordinates to act in accordance with his overall intent."
A Rebuttal to Prof Kedar's paper on the Battle of Arsuf
Based on an extensive review of primary sources relating to the household of Richard the Lionheart between 1189 - 92, this paper will argue that after his father’s death, Henry II’s knights remained a significant part of the royal household. Moreover, rather than reject his father’s men, Richard rewarded them with the majority of his senior appointments."
A study of events surrounding the battle of Acre on 4th October 1189, and the subsequent representations in primary sources provides an excellent opportunity to consider Guy of Lusignan in relation to the early stages of the Third Crusade and to revisit his abilities as a general. It will be argued here that evidence from the various primary sources demonstrates that Guy displayed a higher degree of military skill than has been previously acknowledged. He enjoyed the confidence of experienced military commanders and was able to sustain a siege in the face of an enemy field army, thwarting Saladin’s effort to destroy the outnumbered Latin forces in pitched battle. Indeed, the decision to lead a small army south to besiege Acre and his conduct in the field made Guy the fulcrum for the initial stages of the Third Crusade, successfully establishing the preconditions for the subsequent campaign.
Keywords
Medieval warfare, military leadership, crusading, Latin East"
Through analysis of two autobiographical texts this paper will consider the representation of crusading and chivalry. Jean of Joinville’s Vie de Saint Louis and the Llibre dels Fets of King James I of Aragon cover the lives of two European monarchs who enjoyed long reigns during the thirteenth century and undertook two or more crusades. Through analysis of these texts, this paper will discuss whether, by the thirteenth century, participation in a crusade was deeply embedded in the expectations of elite martial groups. Further, that it had became part of their normative behaviour as a one of the principal actions or ‘deeds’ a preudomme (good and valiant knight) could perform to conform to the expectations of his peers.
Keywords
Medieval warfare, chivalry, crusading, reconquista"
Edited volumes
CONTENTS:
Christianity and War in Medieval East Central Europe and Scandinavia: An Introduction -- RADOSŁAW KOTECKI, CARSTEN SELCH JENSEN, and STEPHEN BENNETT
PART ONE: THE CHURCH AND WAR
Chapter 1. The Role of the Dalmatian Bishops and Archbishops in Warfare During the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries: A Case Study on the Archbishops of Split -- JUDIT GÁL
Chapter 2. Thirteenth- Century Hungarian Prelates at War -- GÁBOR BARABÁS
Chapter 3. The Image of “Warrior- Bishops” in the Northern Tradition of the Crusades -- SINI KANGAS
Chapter 4. Memory of the “Warrior- Bishops” of Płock in the Writings of Jan Długosz -- JACEK MACIEJEWSKI
Chapter 5. Preachers of War: Dominican Friars as Promoters of the Crusades in the Baltic Region in the Thirteenth Century -- JOHNNY GRANDJEAN GØGSIG JAKOBSEN
Chapter 6. Depictions of Violence in Late Romanesque Mural Paintings in Denmark -- MARTIN WANGSGAARD JÜRGENSEN
PART TWO: RELIGION IN WAR AND ITS CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
Chapter 7. Religious Rituals of War in Medieval Hungary Under the Árpád Dynasty -- DUŠAN ZUPKA
Chapter 8. Pious Rulers, Princely Clerics, and Angels of Light: “Imperial Holy War” Imagery in Twelfth- Century Poland and Rus’ -- RADOSŁAW KOTECKI
Chapter 9. Religion and War in Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum: The Examples of Bishop Absalon and King Valdemar I -- CARSTEN SELCH JENSEN
Chapter 10. Rhetoric of War: The Imagination of War in Medieval Written Sources (Central and Eastern Europe in the High Middle Ages) -- DAVID KALHOUS and LUDMILA LUŇÁKOVÁ
Chapter 11. Civil War as Holy War? Polyphonic Discourses of Warfare During the Internal Struggles in Norway in the Twelfth Century -- BJØRN BANDLIEN
Chapter 12. Martyrdom on the Field of Battle in Livonia During Thirteenth Century Holy Wars and Christianization: Popular Belief and the Image of a Catholic Frontier -- KRISTJAN KALJUSAAR
Chapter 13. Orthodox Responses to the Baltic Crusades -- ANTI SELART
Selected Bibliography
Index
Books
This paper draws from research into a late twelfth century noble network, i.e. a social structure that is composed of both elite human actors, as well as non-human actors (such as religious foundations). Data drawn from eyewitness accounts, chronicles, letters, and charter material has been used to establish relationships between these elite actors and consider how, alongside ideology, ties of kinship, family, friendships, locality and patronage were important mediators to becoming a crusader.
This paper draws upon eyewitness accounts, chronicles, letters, and charter material in order to ascertain the composition of Richard’s household. It argues that, while ties of kinship and patronage could prove important to gaining entry into the familia regis, and that membership of local networks dominated the appointment of regional officials, there remained considerable potential for advancement through merit, as is demonstrated by the presence of members drawn from across north-western Europe, and elsewhere. Moreover, the market of virtues based on exchange that underpinned the royal household was tempered by a pragmatic version of loyalty that differs from modern definitions; allowing for temporary and shifting alliances.
Key words: Military Household, Mesnie, Crusading
Based on research into the composition of Richard I’s household during the Third Crusade and analysis of the organisation of the Military Orders in battle, this paper will argue that the Hospitaller’s charge was led by experienced commanders, acting under King Richard’s delegated authority. Rather than a failure in discipline, their charge is an example how a medieval general might decentralise command to trusted subordinates to act in accordance with his overall intent.
Based on research into the composition of Richard I’s household during the Third Crusade and analysis of the organisation of the Military Orders in battle, this paper will argue that the Hospitaller’s charge was led by experienced commanders, acting under King Richard’s delegated authority. Rather than a failure in discipline, their charge is an example how a medieval general might decentralise command to trusted subordinates to act in accordance with his overall intent."
A Rebuttal to Prof Kedar's paper on the Battle of Arsuf
Based on an extensive review of primary sources relating to the household of Richard the Lionheart between 1189 - 92, this paper will argue that after his father’s death, Henry II’s knights remained a significant part of the royal household. Moreover, rather than reject his father’s men, Richard rewarded them with the majority of his senior appointments."
A study of events surrounding the battle of Acre on 4th October 1189, and the subsequent representations in primary sources provides an excellent opportunity to consider Guy of Lusignan in relation to the early stages of the Third Crusade and to revisit his abilities as a general. It will be argued here that evidence from the various primary sources demonstrates that Guy displayed a higher degree of military skill than has been previously acknowledged. He enjoyed the confidence of experienced military commanders and was able to sustain a siege in the face of an enemy field army, thwarting Saladin’s effort to destroy the outnumbered Latin forces in pitched battle. Indeed, the decision to lead a small army south to besiege Acre and his conduct in the field made Guy the fulcrum for the initial stages of the Third Crusade, successfully establishing the preconditions for the subsequent campaign.
Keywords
Medieval warfare, military leadership, crusading, Latin East"
Through analysis of two autobiographical texts this paper will consider the representation of crusading and chivalry. Jean of Joinville’s Vie de Saint Louis and the Llibre dels Fets of King James I of Aragon cover the lives of two European monarchs who enjoyed long reigns during the thirteenth century and undertook two or more crusades. Through analysis of these texts, this paper will discuss whether, by the thirteenth century, participation in a crusade was deeply embedded in the expectations of elite martial groups. Further, that it had became part of their normative behaviour as a one of the principal actions or ‘deeds’ a preudomme (good and valiant knight) could perform to conform to the expectations of his peers.
Keywords
Medieval warfare, chivalry, crusading, reconquista"
CONTENTS:
Christianity and War in Medieval East Central Europe and Scandinavia: An Introduction -- RADOSŁAW KOTECKI, CARSTEN SELCH JENSEN, and STEPHEN BENNETT
PART ONE: THE CHURCH AND WAR
Chapter 1. The Role of the Dalmatian Bishops and Archbishops in Warfare During the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries: A Case Study on the Archbishops of Split -- JUDIT GÁL
Chapter 2. Thirteenth- Century Hungarian Prelates at War -- GÁBOR BARABÁS
Chapter 3. The Image of “Warrior- Bishops” in the Northern Tradition of the Crusades -- SINI KANGAS
Chapter 4. Memory of the “Warrior- Bishops” of Płock in the Writings of Jan Długosz -- JACEK MACIEJEWSKI
Chapter 5. Preachers of War: Dominican Friars as Promoters of the Crusades in the Baltic Region in the Thirteenth Century -- JOHNNY GRANDJEAN GØGSIG JAKOBSEN
Chapter 6. Depictions of Violence in Late Romanesque Mural Paintings in Denmark -- MARTIN WANGSGAARD JÜRGENSEN
PART TWO: RELIGION IN WAR AND ITS CULTURAL EXPRESSIONS
Chapter 7. Religious Rituals of War in Medieval Hungary Under the Árpád Dynasty -- DUŠAN ZUPKA
Chapter 8. Pious Rulers, Princely Clerics, and Angels of Light: “Imperial Holy War” Imagery in Twelfth- Century Poland and Rus’ -- RADOSŁAW KOTECKI
Chapter 9. Religion and War in Saxo Grammaticus’s Gesta Danorum: The Examples of Bishop Absalon and King Valdemar I -- CARSTEN SELCH JENSEN
Chapter 10. Rhetoric of War: The Imagination of War in Medieval Written Sources (Central and Eastern Europe in the High Middle Ages) -- DAVID KALHOUS and LUDMILA LUŇÁKOVÁ
Chapter 11. Civil War as Holy War? Polyphonic Discourses of Warfare During the Internal Struggles in Norway in the Twelfth Century -- BJØRN BANDLIEN
Chapter 12. Martyrdom on the Field of Battle in Livonia During Thirteenth Century Holy Wars and Christianization: Popular Belief and the Image of a Catholic Frontier -- KRISTJAN KALJUSAAR
Chapter 13. Orthodox Responses to the Baltic Crusades -- ANTI SELART
Selected Bibliography
Index