Christopher Allmand

Christopher Allmand is a British medieval historian and scholar specializing in the Hundred Years' War and late medieval European history. His academic career was primarily based at the University of Liverpool, where he served as Professor of Medieval History until his retirement. Allmand's most influential work is "The Hundred Years War: England and France at War c.1300-c.1450," which has become a standard reference text in the field. He has also produced significant research on Henry V of England and military history in late medieval Europe. His contributions to medieval scholarship include detailed examinations of war, governance, and cultural exchange between England and France during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. His work is particularly noted for integrating military, political, and social perspectives to create comprehensive historical analyses. Allmand served as editor for several volumes of the New Cambridge Medieval History and has been recognized with multiple academic honors, including fellowship of the British Academy. His research continues to influence contemporary understanding of late medieval warfare and Anglo-French relations.

Readers value Allmand's clear writing style and thorough research in explaining complex medieval topics. Academic reviewers frequently note his balanced treatment of both English and French perspectives in "The Hundred Years War." Liked: - Clear organization and presentation of evidence - Comprehensive coverage of political, social, and military aspects - Detailed maps and illustrations that aid understanding - Accessible writing for both students and general readers Disliked: - Dense academic prose in some sections - Limited coverage of social history compared to military events - High cost of academic editions - Some readers found the chronological jumps confusing Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (43 reviews) One history student noted: "Allmand excels at explaining complicated political relationships without oversimplifying." A common criticism appears in multiple reviews: "More attention to ordinary people's experiences would have strengthened the social history aspects."

Henry V (1992) A biography examining Henry V of England's military campaigns, administrative policies, and personal life using contemporary sources and documents.

The Hundred Years War: England and France at War c.1300-c.1450 (1988) A comprehensive analysis of the lengthy conflict between England and France, covering military, social, and economic aspects of the war.

War, Government and Power in Late Medieval France (2000) A collection of essays exploring the relationship between warfare, governance, and political authority in medieval France.

Society at War: The Experience of England and France During the Hundred Years War (1973) An examination of how the Hundred Years War affected daily life, social structures, and institutions in both England and France.

Lancastrian Normandy 1415-1450: The History of a Medieval Occupation (1983) A detailed study of the English occupation of Normandy under Henry V and Henry VI, focusing on administrative and military aspects.

The New Cambridge Medieval History, Volume 7: c.1415-c.1500 (1998) An edited volume covering the political, religious, and cultural developments of 15th-century Europe.

Maurice Keen focuses on medieval warfare, chivalry and nobility in Western Europe. His research parallels Allmand's work on the Hundred Years' War and late medieval military institutions.

Philippe Contamine writes extensively about medieval warfare and French military organization from 1337-1494. His analysis of war, society and state formation complements Allmand's studies of late medieval military history.

Anne Curry specializes in the Hundred Years' War and English military organization. Her work on armies, soldiers and military administration provides similar perspective to Allmand's research on medieval warfare.

Michael Prestwich examines English warfare and military organization during the medieval period. His research on armies, warfare and military obligations aligns with Allmand's focus on military institutions and war in medieval society.

Malcolm Vale studies the political and cultural history of late medieval Europe, particularly Anglo-French relations. His analysis of war, politics and royal courts corresponds with Allmand's examination of medieval political and military systems.