Book 122

Tannenberg 1410

by Stephen Turnbull and Richard Hook

Published 30 May 2003
By 1400 the long running conflict between the Teutonic Knights and the Polish-Lithuanian kingdom was coming to a head. In June 1410 Ladislos II of Lithuania invaded the Order's territory with an army of 10,000. It included many of the Teutonic Knights enemies - Poles, Lithuanians, Russians, Tartars and Cossacks. The armies clashed on the rolling hills of Tannenberg, although neither side could gain any decisive advantage. The Hochmeister then led his remaining reserve against the Lithuanian King's contingent in an attempt to pierce the enemy line. His charge failed and he and many of the Order's leading officer's were surrounded and killed. The Teutonic Knights never recovered from this disastrous defeat, which marked the beginning of a terminal decline in this once great Order.

Book 130

Kawanakajima 1553-64

by Stephen Turnbull

Published 19 November 2003

Kawanakajima is unique in history. In the space of 12 years, between 1553 and 1564, this valley deep in the mountains of central Japan witnessed no less than five battles between two of Japan's greatest warlords. Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin were both descended from great families and were highly skilled tacticians. Stephen Turnbull chronicles the see-saw struggle between two men who epitomize the warrior daimyo from Japan's 'Warring States' period.

Kawanakajima is unique in history. In the space of 12 years, between 1553 and 1564, this valley deep in the mountains of central Japan witnessed no less than five battles between two of Japan's greatest warlords. Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin were both descended from great families and were highly skilled tacticians. Both had taken the tonsure and risen to high rank in their respective Buddhist sects. When Shingen attempted to seize control of Shinano province they were set on a collision course. Stephen Turnbull chronicles the see-saw struggle between two men who epitomize the warrior daimyo from Japan's 'Warring States' period.