‘Getrennt marschieren - vereint schlagen’; The influence of the Military Revolution (1560-1660) on the implementation of fortification systems within the field of the construction of military sconces in the Dutch Republic in the period of 1593-1695 and the need of an interdisciplinary approach

The most important concept in warfare in early-modern Europe and the construction of fortifications is the Military Revolution of 1560-1660. This revolution is among others characterised by a change in military tactics, strategy and size of early-modern armies and the qualitative and quantitative improvements on the field of weaponry, together with the development of the trace Italienne (bastioned fortification system). This eventually led to a great change of fortification systems and the important change from battles between large standing armies to sieges. The constant evaluation and innovation on the field of military fortifications eventually led to the formation of multiple fortification systems as the Italian Fortification Systems, Old Dutch Fortification System, Improved Dutch Fortification System, French Fortification System and New Dutch Fortification System. When the theory is to be followed, the constructed field sconces would have been constructed according to the most...Show moreThe most important concept in warfare in early-modern Europe and the construction of fortifications is the Military Revolution of 1560-1660. This revolution is among others characterised by a change in military tactics, strategy and size of early-modern armies and the qualitative and quantitative improvements on the field of weaponry, together with the development of the trace Italienne (bastioned fortification system). This eventually led to a great change of fortification systems and the important change from battles between large standing armies to sieges. The constant evaluation and innovation on the field of military fortifications eventually led to the formation of multiple fortification systems as the Italian Fortification Systems, Old Dutch Fortification System, Improved Dutch Fortification System, French Fortification System and New Dutch Fortification System. When the theory is to be followed, the constructed field sconces would have been constructed according to the most modern fortification system of their time, and show signs of improvement and innovation during the years the fortifications would have been in use. The former is stressed and researched by studying the Bordeelschans (1604), the Zwartendijksterschans (1593-1672) and schans Altena (1597, 1605 and 1627). Eventually there is tried to research to what extent the effects of the Military Revolution, with the various constructive innovations on the field of field sconces and fortification systems, are noticeable in historical and archaeological datasets and implemented in the construction of (field) sconces in the Dutch Republic during the period of 1583-1695. This thesis also adress the importance and the need of an interdisciplinary approachShow less

Leiden University Student Repository

Documents

In Collections

‘Getrennt marschieren - vereint schlagen’; The influence of the Military Revolution (1560-1660) on the implementation of fortification systems within the field of the construction of military sconces in the Dutch Republic in the period of 1593-1695 and the need of an interdisciplinary approach