Am Gegner lernen? Zur Taktik französischer Heere in den Schlachten von Kortrijk, Arques und am Pevelenberg

摘要

Medieval army tactics has been the subject of much controversy among scholars since the 19th century. To date, however, no study has compared the tactics of individual, yet connected battles in order to analyze the ability of medieval army leaders to make tactical considerations and innovations. The Franco-Flemish battles of Courtrai, Arques and Mons-en-Pevele are ideal for such an analysis as personnel continuity on the French side may have made possible a transfer of battle experience. This paper shows that after the defeat at Courtrai the French adopted a more sophisticated tactical approach in the two following battles. This included an increased use of infantry, war machinery, and tactical measures such as feigned attacks, encirclements, and skirmishes. Tactics in the Middle Ages was thus much more than the mere adoption of warfighting traditions; it was the product of conscious reflection on lessons learned in battle.