Featured battle : Cogorderos

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 23 June 1811

The only real fight in northern Spain since the French took Astorga 22 April 1810. Although only a small engagement the Spaniards defeated experienced French troops. The engagement was of greater significance than its size in that it sent a wave of concern through the French Army of the North and persuaded them not to send any troops south to fight Wellington.

Lepanto 1571

Nic Fields
Here it is all you need to know about Lepanto and much more. This is Lepanto in the round set within its context which is the sixteenth century almost everything which has a bearing on the battle is herein. For instances included are a brief history of the Knights Hospitallers, the development of the galley, Janissaries, the confusion around the naming of big guns and the power politics of all participants. The footnotes alone make fascinating reading and also refer out to more information on most of the topics discussed in the book. The bibliography covers eleven pages in fairly small typeface. There are a few illustrations and maps.
The author, Nic Fields, does not ‘talk down’ to the reader but, while not being a dry academic tone, leaves one aware of the considerable scholarship which has gone into the writing.
This is a book to get immersed in and we highly recommend it to everyone with any interest in the sixteenth century generally and the development of naval warfare in particular.

Pen & Sword Maritime, 2020