War and Government in the French Provinces

Few studies of the history of provincial France have hitherto spanned the conventional medieval/early-modern divide, and David Potter's detailed examination of war and government in Picardy, a region of France hitherto neglected by historians, has much to say about the development of French absolutism. Picardy emerged as a province after the campaigns of 1470–1477, and its experience of the first period of absolutism provides an enlightening contrast with that of other, more outlying provinces: the Picard nobility was notable for the extent of its participation in the army, the court and the government of France. David Potter provides a detailed analysis of the organisation of French military power in the province, and its impact during the period of the Habsburg-Valois wars. The work concludes with Picardy about to enter a difficult period of civil war.

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'… the produce of outstandingly wide archival research. … he is superbly equipped to analyse the intricate dynamics of warfare, politics and administration … this study makes a very valuable contribution to our understanding of the development of the early-modern state.' Archives

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Product details

• Date Published: February 2003
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9780521893008
• length: 412 pages

• dimensions: 235 x 160 x 35 mm
• weight: 0.78kg
• contains: 10 maps
• availability: Available