One of the real pleasures of this work is the use made by Jones of contemporary textual and visual records. Change and continuity coexist in this approach. The usefulness of this avenue of research is demonstrated by the manner in which such an examination can bring nuances to the debates about the identification of moments of change in warfare, and the outlining of the distinction between the development of methods of warfare and the broader cultures out of which these changes emerge. Jones argues cogently for such display as being ‘a fundamental part of military warfare, serving as an outward expression of its motivations and drives’, as an integral part of military culture and its exploration, and an important avenue for historical research.
Just as the castle has been reconsidered in terms of its social and domestic roles, as well as its military architecture, this work makes the case for a similar reconsideration for military display. It is in this final chapter that Jones argues most forcefully for his project. The final chapter contains a discussion of the debates around the idea of a ‘military revolution’ in warfare, first proposed by Michael Roberts in his 1955 paper ‘The Military Revolution, 1560–1660.’ It briefly touches on the Church’s accommodation of the warrior and his role in society, transforming him into a symbol of spiritual struggle. The penultimate chapter examines religious symbolism on the battlefield and its broader theological and secular contexts. These include very practical requirements such as the need to identify friend from foe, or how useful armour was as protection in relation to its symbolic and psychological roles. The first seven chapters individually explore heraldic display, badges, armour, swords, and audible display – such as war cries and the use of musical instruments – and examine their particular roles. It will be useful for undergraduates and for more specialized audiences from a variety of fields, including literature and art history, not just military history. Robert Jones has produced an engagingly readable and clear account of the role of military display on the medieval battlefield.
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