Main
sources:
Francesco Guicciardini
Storia d'Italia
Firenze, 1561
This is the main original source for the Italian Wars, covering all the
period from 1492 to 1534, mainly from a political and military point of view. A
fascinating, huge work.
Marino Sanuto
I Diarii 1496-1533
Venezia 1879
A complete, very detailed account of the campaigns. A difficult but
informative source.
Paolo Giovio
Le vite del Gran capitano e del Marchese di Pescara
Bari, 1931
Another primary source, describing the lives of two of the most pre-eminent
capitani of the era.
Reference works:
F.L.
Taylor
The Art of War in Italy 1494-1529,
London, 1920
A must. You should begin from this book to learn about Italian Wars and
Renaissance warfare.
Ferdinand Lot
Recherches sur les effectifs des armées françaises. Des guerres d'Italie aux
guerres de religion, 1494-1562
A very detailed and accurate account of French Armies, and their enemies,
during the XVIth century.
Piero Pieri
Il Rinascimento e la crisi militare italiana, Torino, 1952
The most complete study about Renaissance warfare in Italy; a sound basis
for historians and newcomers
Bert S. Hall
Weapons and Warfare in Renaissance Europe; Gunpowder, Technology and Tactics
Johns Hopkins University, 1997
Really useful book on technological aspects of XVIth century warfare.
Geoffrey Parker
The Army of Flanders and the Spanish Road
Cambridge, 1972
Logistics in the XVIth century.
John, F. Guilmartin
Gunpowder and Galleys; Changing Technology and Mediterranean Warfare in the
Sixteenth Century
Cambridge, 1974
Mostly about XVIth century naval warfare.
David Eltis
The Military Revolution in Sixteenth-Century Europe
London-New
York, 1995
A concise introduction about XVIth century tactics, included siege warfare.
Simon Pepper e Nicholas Adams
Firearms and Fortifications, Military Architecture and Siege Warfare in
Sixteenth-Century Siena
Chicago, 1986
Very interesting book about fortifications and siege warfare.
Sir John R. Hale
The military organization of a renaissance state: Venice Part II: 1509 - 1617
Cambridge, 1984
What everyone should read to fully understand what war was meant to be in a
renaissance state .
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Other Works:
L. Casali, M. Galandra
La Battaglia di Pavia
Pavia, 1984
The personages, the facts and the historical context of the most famous
campaign and battle of the Italian Wars.
Angous Konstam
Pavia 1525
Osprey Military Campaign Series n.44
A very pleasant reading for English readers.
Mario Troso
L'ultima battaglia del Medioevo
Gorizia, 2002
A fresh study about the campaign and the battle of Novara
Sir Charles Oman
A History of the Art of War in the Sixteenth Century
Oxford, 1937
Partially outdated, but necessary study about all the XVIth century warfare,
embracing a very large panorama of men, actions and facts.
Mario Troso
Italia! Italia!
1526-1530
La Prima Guerra d'Indipendenza Italiana
Parma, 2001
Very keen, detailed and choreographic book on what the author says was the
first real attempt of the Italian people to get rid of their invaders. An excellent source of information in
Italian language.
Maurizio Arfaioli
The Black Bands of Giovanni
Pisa, 2005
A new study on the organization
and life of the army of one of the greatest Italian Condottieri.
Christopher Duffy
Siege Warfare; the Fortress in
the early modern war 1494 – 1660
London, 1979
Most comprehensive work on
fortifications and siege warfare
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