From 1100 to 1460, warfare continued to experience a qualitative and quantitative technological evolution in destructive power. The gradual development and proliferation of the longbow and gun powder firearms transformed the way wars would be fought and accelerated the disappearance of the medieval knight on the battlefield. As the struggle for power continued among nations, there were wars in many parts of the globe. In Europe, the most significant soldiers were the knights. In Japan they were the samurai. Both had very strict codes of chivalry and relied on warhorses to carry them into battle.
European Knights
European knights wore heavy chain mail and metal helmets. Gradually, this was replaced by armor made from flat metal plates, which made the knight extremely heavy. An elaborate suit of armor could weigh about 45 kilograms. They began to use longer swords which were sharpened to get through plate armor.
12th and 14th Century Fighting
In the 12th century, much fighting took place around castles, rather than on battlefields. Despite the evolution of heavily fortified castles, the techniques of siege warfare differed little from that used in ancient times. By the middle of the 14th century the use of gunpowder had spread to Europe from China. When cannons were able to knock down castle walls, the castle could no longer protect its inhabitants.
Cannons
The cannons from the 14th century were made of strips of iron, held together with hoops. The arrival of gunpowder from China in the 13th century completely changed warfare and weapons. The first guns appeared in the 14th century and were very like simple cannons mounted on long, wooden shafts. By the middle of the 15th century the matchlock had been invented, but it was unsafe to load.
Japanese Samurai
Japanese Samurai warriors on horseback were frightening to behold. Samurai armor was made of enameled metal links or very thick strips of leather, which made it flexible. They fought with bows and arrows and with long curved swords. A samurai’s sword was his most treasured possession. It had a razor-sharp edge for cutting, but a soft iron core, enabling it to withstand many blows.
Heraldry War Art
The heraldry art form grew out of the need for knights to recognize each other on the battlefield, which prevented warriors from killing men on their own side. To make this easier, they painted their shields with simple patterns. Soon all the men in the same army used the same pattern.
Catapults
During siege warfare, catapults hurled stones, and giant, soldier-laden siege towers were whe
Major Battles and Events
During the Late Middle Ages, the major battles, weapon system developments, and events revealed the destiny of future warfare. First, the English develop the longbow in 13th century. Second, Christian Crusaders are finally expelled from the Holy Land in 1291. Third, Arab armies began using their first guns in 1304. Fourth, the Hundred Years War was fought between France and England from 1337 to 1453. Finally, Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Turks after a 54 day siege with guns.
Related Sources: Grant, R.G.; Battle; DK Publications, 2005. Lanning, LT. COL. (RET.) Michael Lee AND Bob Rosenburgh; THE BATTLE 100; Sourcebooks: New York, 2003. Roberts, Andrew and others; The Art of War; Quercus Publication, 2008. Zimmerman, Dwight Jon; THE BOOK OF WAR; Tess Press Publications, 2008. Zimmerman, Dwight Jon; THE BOOK OF WEAPONS; Tess Press Publications, 2009.