Wednesday 26 June 2013

Infantry at the Battle of Chesterfield




The figure on which this man is based is described as a Londoner in the manuscript where he appears, but he is typical of the sort of man who would be recruited by any medieval army in large numbers. He is equipped with a metal helmet, padded inside with wool and leather and with a kite-shaped shield that covers him from shoulder to knee. His main weapon is a short thrusting spear and he would have had a heavy knife or small hatchet tucked into his belt as a reserve weapon. In action these men formed up shoulder to shoulder with their shields overlapping to form a solid wall of shields facing the enemy. Spears were usually held overarm and thrust forward and down over the shield at the enemy. Whether a unit of such men would be able to carry out any of the more sophisticated battle tactics of this period would depend on their level of training. As a rule town militia were better trained than rural militia, but not so good as mercenaries.


from "The Battle of Chesterfield" by Rupert Matthews.
Buy your copy HERE


A book dedicated to the Battle of Chesterfield that ended the Baronial Wars of King Henry III against Simon de Montfort. After Simon de Montfort's death at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, his supporters rallied in Derbyshire. Sending messages to other reformers to rally to their cause the rebels were expecting help from the King of France, but it was Prince Edward (later King EdwardI) who got there first with a royal army. The resulting battle began in the fields south of the town, but moved into the streets of the town and ended in the churchyard where the last rebels surrendered. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The "Bretwalda Battles" series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format.

Tuesday 25 June 2013

NEW Author's UFO website

Our UFO and esoteric specialist author, Richard Thomas, has established a new website for his UFO books.

You can visit the site HERE.


Friday 21 June 2013

NEW Author Website

Our Author C.J. Rowan has a new website.

You can visit it HERE


Monday 17 June 2013

NEW BOOK - A Fate Worse than Debt

As the UK talks of cuts and austerity, this book explores for beginners the true scale of our financial problems, and some of the controversies behind modern spending. Warning: do not read if you suffer from high blood pressure, or lack a sense of humour in a crisis. Among the questions answered are: What is the difference between Deficit and Debt? How much does the United Kingdom Government really owe? Who is Scotland's forgotten debt genius? How big could you build a new Hadrian's Wall from Pound coins paid out of Britain's debt? Why was Britain's first civil war two thousand years ago triggered by debt repayments? How did WW2 US airmen unexpectedly help bail out Britain's war effort? What was the Geddes Axe, and how far did it swing? What can a wombat's posterior warn us of? How big is our creek today and is there a paddle? Launched to coincide with the Coalition Government's "make or break" 2013 Budget, this book puts the country's financial problems firmly under the microscope. It explains what is going on and why in terms the layman can understand - and will find absolutely terrifying. Possibly the most important book about government you will ever read.
 
 

Do you need a website for your book?

Bretwalda Books is pleased to announce that our author, Richard Thomas, is offering to help other authors to create and manage a website for their book. Richard is one of our more pro-active authors when it comes to publicising and promoting his books.

Richard writes: "I can design a high definition multi-page website for you to promote your book or books using wix.

"This would include a main page with links to Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other social media sites, as well as videos.

"I can also include a biography page; a books page with links to amazon and/or paypal; and contact page where visitors can email you. I can also link the website to your blog. If you don't have a blog I can set one up and help update it when needed.

"For an example of my work plaease visit www.scifiworlds.co.uk

"This service would cost £10, and the website would be ready within two to three days. Money to be paid using PayPal."

Sunday 16 June 2013

The Battle fo Chesterfield, phase 1



The Battle of Chesterfield began some time in the afternoon of 15 May 1266 when the advancing rebels of Sir John d’Aynville were ambushed north of the town by the royalists led by Henry of Almain.

from "The Battle of Chesterfield" by Rupert Matthews.

Buy your copy HERE



A book dedicated to the Battle of Chesterfield that ended the Baronial Wars of King Henry III against Simon de Montfort. After Simon de Montfort's death at the Battle of Evesham in 1265, his supporters rallied in Derbyshire. Sending messages to other reformers to rally to their cause the rebels were expecting help from the King of France, but it was Prince Edward (later King EdwardI) who got there first with a royal army. The resulting battle began in the fields south of the town, but moved into the streets of the town and ended in the churchyard where the last rebels surrendered. This book follows the standard pattern set by others in the Bretwalda Battles series. The reasons for and course of the war in question are outlined, then detailed analyses of weapons, tactics and strategies are given with particular reference to this battle. The course of the battleis then followed, with comment on what there is to see at the site today. Short biographies of the commanders are also given. The aftermath of the battle, its effects and importance to the progress of the war are then described. The "Bretwalda Battles" series has been running with increasing success as ebooks for some time. Now the first books in the series are being published in print format.