Composition

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Composition c.1500-1700

As weaponry developed in the Early Modern period, this had a knock-on effect on the composition of the army.

Infantry

Infantry:
- Biggest proportion of the army.
- Musketeers and pikemen (but by 1700, mostly musketeers).

Dragoons

Dragoons:
- Small proportion.
- Mounted infantry, armed with muskets.
- Didn’t wear armour.

Cavalry

Cavalry:
- Made up ⅓ of the army.
- Armed with swords and pistols.
- Wore plate armour breastplates.

Artillery

Artillery:
- Smallest part of the army.
- New addition to the army from medieval period.

Strategy & Tactics c.1500-1700

As weapons developed in the Early Modern period, this had a knock-on effect on the composition of the army.

Tactics

The slow-reload time of the muskets demanded more regimented battle tactics and variations of square formations became popular.
Pikes also demanded specific tactics, with the ‘push of the pike’ an effective charge against the enemy.
It could even stop a cavalry charge.

Dutch Countermarch

Musketeers in 6x6 squares.
Front row would shoot and march to the back.
Developed by Prince Maurice of Nassau (Netherlands) in the 1590s.

Swedish Salvo

Musketeers in 6x6 squares.
First three rows would assemble in varied heights (kneel, crouch, stand) to allow three simultaneous rows of shots.
Developed by King Gustav Adolphus of Sweden in the 1620s.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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