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IMC 2018: Sessions

Session 1718: Vom mittelalterlichen Kriege: Clausewitzian Approaches in regards to Medieval War

Thursday 5 July 2018, 14.15-15.45

Sponsor:Centrum för medeltidsstudier, Stockholms universitet
Organiser:Hörður Barðdal, Independent Scholar, Wachtebeke
Moderator/Chair:Kurt Villads Jensen, Historiska institutionen, Stockholms universitet
Paper 1718-aRemembering the Medieval(ist): Clausewitzian (Mis)Conceptions of Medieval Warfare
(Language: English)
Hörður Barðdal, Independent Scholar, Wachtebeke
Index terms: Historiography - Modern Scholarship, Military History
Paper 1718-bMilitary Cohesion on the Third Crusade
(Language: English)
Stephen Bennett, Queen Mary, University of London
Index terms: Crusades, Genealogy and Prosopography, Military History
Paper 1718-cOn (Medieval) War: Pierre Dubois, Strategy, and Statecraft at the Dawn of the 14th Century
(Language: English)
Daniel Franke, Department of History, Richard Bland College of William & Mary, Virginia
Index terms: Historiography - Medieval, Military History
Abstract

Carl von Clausewitz, arguably one of the 19th century's foremost military thinkers, wrote his book Vom Kriege in which he outlines his 'Rules of War'. His theories have been frequently applied to improve the understanding of modern warfare by both scholars and military personnel alike. However, as a set of tools for analysing medieval warfare, Clausewitz's theories are rarely used; in fact Clausewitz himself warns against such an application. The proposed session will examine the views Clausewitz held on the waging of war in the Middle Ages, explore the viability of using Clausewitz's theoretical framework to analyse medieval warfare, and investigate whether or not theoretical aspects that are typically considered Clausewitzian can be found amongst contemporary medieval military thinkers. The goal is to challenge the presumed inapplicability of his theories and engage the wider field in constructive debate.