We are all aware of the great time of Crusades during the 'Dark Ages' where vast armies went forth to spread Christianity and to recapture the Holy Land. However, this wasn't the only place that saw such efforts. The entire reason for going on crusade was more to be absolved from any crimes and taxes than it was to spread the faith, though there were those who were committed to the latter. Successful crusading meant that a man started with a clean slate as all his past sins and transgressions were forgiven. Those going on crusade in this area included the Teutonic Knights and their history is also part of this tale.

Though the numbers were not the same, men of Sweden, Denmark, what is now Northern Germany, Poland and Norway were just as willing to undertake crusades for there were pagans living in the area. Most of these were on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea and forays into those areas not only fought against those peoples, but also the Orthodox Russian Princes of those areas.

The authors rely on recently discovered material from Sweden, and present it here in English for the first time. There is an introduction that explains what a crusade is, participants and the situation in the Baltic at the time. There is than a section on the various armies from the area as well as the equipment used by Scandinavian Crusaders. The weaponry of the defenders is also provided for in its own section. Then there is a final piece that includes the various strategy and tactics used by the Crusaders and their opponents. Due to the marshy land and much colder climate than one found in the Mediterranean, these tactics were quite different. This is all superbly illustrated by Angus McBride and combined with photos of the sites as they are today and period artwork, give a most complete picture of this little known arena of combat.

It all makes for a book that is both interesting and informative. Like all of Osprey's titles, it is one that you can buy with confidence in knowing you are getting the best.

May 2007

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