The Military Administration of England: The Royal Artillery (1216-1272)

Abstract

It is commonly believed that King Edward I of England (1272-1307) revolutionized the military organization of England and began a new era in military affairs. This article argues that Edward's reputation as a "revolutionary" is exaggerated, because by the time he became king, a large and complex military bureaucracy already existed in England. This study examines one element of the sophisticated military administration that operated during the reign of Edward's predecessor, Henry III (1216-72): the construction, storage, and transportation of the artillery that was so important for the conduct of siege operations.