Changes in Warfare (1500-1700)

Overview

The period between 1500 to 1700 witnessed significant transformations in the nature of warfare during the early modern period of English history, driven by:

• Shift to more trained and full-time, expensive armies
• Technological advancements in weaponry such as cannons and muskets
• Changes in military tactics and strategies

Army Size and Composition

• Increase in Army Size: Post-1650, armies grew larger with wars involving more soldiers. E.g., Battle of Landon 1693 saw 130,000 soldiers.
• Composition:
  • Predominantly infantry with a 2:1 ratio to cavalry, although this varied with battle types.
  • Inclusion of artillery and pioneers.
  • Transition from billmen to pikemen in English armies.

Development of Artillery

• Cannons:
  • Initially used in sieges due to their size and transport issues.
  • Field artillery became lighter and integrated into battles by 1630s.
  • British developed and used cannons during the English Civil War.

Shift from Longbows to Muskets

• Transition:
  • Muskets started replacing longbows from the 1520s.
  • Complete transition by 1595 as training of new archers ceased.
• Reasons for Transition:
  • Changes in farming reduced strong laborers capable of wielding longbows.
  • Growth of towns reduced archery practice.
  • Technological improvements in firearms.
  • Cost efficiency of musket balls over arrows.

Cavalry Changes

• Development of Pistols:
  • Cavalry adapted with pistols for horseback combat.
  • Decline in mass cavalry charges due to effectiveness of pikemen.
• Rise of Dragoons:
  • Mounted infantry with firearms, dismounting to fight.

Innovations in Fortifications

• New Defensive Structures:
  • Thicker, lower walls filled with earth to absorb cannon impacts.
  • Bastions for flanking fire positions.
  • Angled walls to deflect cannon balls.
• Strategic Importance:
  • Enabled small forces to hold off larger armies.
  • Essential for defending nations and delaying sieges.

Technological Developments

• Muskets:
  • Matchlock muskets were replaced by more efficient flintlock muskets.
• Bayonets:
  • Initial plug bayonets led to ring and socket designs for better integration with muskets.

Summary

• Armies grew larger and more compositionally diverse, incorporating artillery.
• Shift from longbows to muskets, pikemen replacing billmen.
• Cavalry evolved to lighter armor with pistols and dragoons.
• Fortifications advanced to withstand artillery.
• Innovations like flintlock muskets and bayonets improved infantry effectiveness.