The Army of Flanders and the Spanish Road, 1567–1659
The Logistics of Spanish Victory and Defeat in the Low Countries' Wars

Revised second edition of the classic study, looking at Habsburg Spain's handling of the Dutch Revolt.

Geoffrey Parker (Author)

9780521543927, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 14 October 2004

336 pages, 6 b/w illus.
22.6 x 15 x 2 cm, 0.43 kg

The publication of The Army of Flanders and the Spanish Road in 1972 marked the birth of the 'new military history', which emphasized military organization - mobilization, pay, supply, morale and, above all, logistics - rather than military 'events' such as sieges and battles. Geoffrey Parker studied one of the great logistical feats of early modern Europe: how Habsburg Spain managed to maintain and mobilize the largest army in Europe in an 80-year effort to suppress the Dutch Revolt, at 700 miles' distance. Using a unique combination of surviving records, he presented strikingly the logistical problems of fighting wars in early modern Europe, and demonstrated why Spain failed to suppress the Dutch Revolt. The book has been constantly cited since its first publication in English (with translations into Spanish and Dutch). This revised second edition includes some new sources and updates some references but otherwise remains faithful to the original version.

List of illustrations
Preface
Preface to the second edition
Acknowledgements
Notes on spelling and currency
Glossary
List of abbreviations
Introduction: the character of the low countries' wars
Part I. Assembling an Army: the Problem of Distance: 1. Mobilization
2. The military corridors of the army of Flanders
3. The Spanish road
4. The high command
Part II. Maintaining an Army: the Problem of Resources: 5. The army of Flanders and grand strategy
6. Financial resources
7. Life in the army of Flanders
8. Mutiny
9. Wastage and 'reformation'
10. Demobilization
Conclusion: Spain, its enemies and the revolt of the Netherlands
Appendices
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Warfare & defence [JW], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]