Annual Booklist 2020 : William Heap
Being taught by the late historian, Professor David Loades at the University College of North Wales and studying at the Sorbonne led to William Heap writing Elizabeth’s French Wars, 1562-1598 (London: Unicorn, 2019). This reveals the extent of English intervention in the French Wars of Religion. Supported by an SAHR Independent Research Grant, it was a runner-up for SAHR Templer Best First Book 2019 and was also shortlisted for the Duke of Wellington Medal for Military History 2020.
I am delighted to have the opportunity to drum up recruits for the study of sixteenth century military history. During my research, I came to appreciate the scale of the Elizabethan war effort. I am somewhat in awe of the level of sophistication reached by 1603. I hope that this selection will help you to reach a similar conclusion. Assuming that you have either read or already giftwrapped Charles Cruickshank, Elizabeth’s Army (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1966), allow me to begin.
The first two books offer both positive and revisionist views of the Elizabethan war machine.
1. John Nolan, Sir John Norreys and the Elizabethan Military World (Exeter: Exeter University Press, 1997). John Nolan’s study made a major contribution to the study of the military history of the period. This very readable work covers the service of Sir John Norris in the Netherlands, the Armada Campaign, Portugal, France and Ireland. The use of the personal papers of Norris in the Bodleian Library helped enhance our understanding of this ubiquitous commander. The study also includes hitherto unpublished plans including the capture of Fort Crozon in Brittany in 1594.
2. Neil Younger, War and Politics in the Elizabethan Counties (Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2012). Covering the period 1585-1603, Younger examines the machinery of war at a local level, including the work of the lord lieutenancies. This included control of the militia to help defend against invasion and the recruitment of men to fight overseas. Of particular interest is the chapter on lieutenancy finance, including local taxation for military purposes.
3. Edmund Teesdale, Gunfounding in the Weald in the Sixteenth Century (London: Royal Armouries, 1991). During the sixteenth century, significant advances were made in the production of artillery. This excellent study examines gunfounding in the Weald of Sussex and Kent.
The importance of fortresses in the development of Crown forces should not be underestimated. Their construction contributed to advances both in scale drawing and cartography. Fortresses were also important training centres for gunners. It is for these reasons that the next three books selected all relate to fortification.
4. Lonnie Shelby, John Rogers: Tudor Military Engineer (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1967). This book examines the career of the engineer John Rogers during the reigns of Henry VIII, Edward VI and Mary. I read with interest about his period in France following the capture of Boulogne in 1544. With the aim of protecting communications between Calais and Boulogne, Rogers set about designing and constructing new forts at Cap Gris-Nez (Blackness) and Ambleteuse (Newhaven).
5. Andrew Saunders, Fortress Britain: Artillery Fortifications in the British Isles and Ireland (Liphook: Beaufort Publishing, 1999). This is a lavishly illustrated visual history covering all periods up until the end of the Second World War. The Elizabethan fortifications receive due attention. The extensive gazetteer makes this book a useful companion for planning the next fortress trip.
Finally, as for the book yet to be published, I even have a title, Elizabethan Military Engineers. The engineers Sir Richard Lee, Giovanni Portinari, Meliorino Ubaldini, Paul Ive and Sir Edmund Yorke deserve more attention. Indeed, many of the plans in the British Library and The National Archives remain unpublished. The reproduction of these plans in large format and in colour would greatly help to highlight their work in England, Ireland, France and the Netherlands. Scotland would also be included with the siege works at Leith in 1560.