A Collection of Unmitigated Pedantry
A look at history and popular culture
This is the final part of a five part (I, II, III, IV, V) series covering some of the basics of fortification, all the way from ancient city walls to modern anti-access/area denial systems. Last week, we looked at the changes which gunpowder-based weaponry enforced on fortification design in Europe, leading to the emergence of … Continue reading Collections: Fortification, Part V: The Age of Industrial Firepower
Season's Greetings! I'm taking this week off for the holidays, but here are some pictures of the AcademiCats getting into the Christmas Spirit: Oliver, with a festive trebuchet (my wife's) and the Christmas Sherman, ready to bring holiday cheer to the whole world, but North Africa, Western Europe and the Pacific in particular. Percy also … Continue reading Gap Week: December 24, 2021
This is the fourth part of a five part (I, II, III, IV, V) series covering some of the basics of fortification, from city walls to field fortifications, from the ancient world to the modern period. Last week, we set out an overview of fortifications in medieval Europe, with particular focus on the strategic role … Continue reading Collections: Fortification, Part IV: French Guns and Italian Lines
This is the third part of a five part (I, II, III, IV, V) series covering some of the basics of fortifications, from city walls to field fortifications, from the ancient world through to the modern period. Last week, we used the Romans as an example to see how the needs of a given fortification … Continue reading Collections: Fortification, Part III: Castling
Hey folks! I know I was hoping to have Fortifications, Part III out this week, but in the inevitable bustle of the end of the semester combined with a few other pressing commitments, it just didn't quite work out. Alas, as much as I love ACOUP, it must play third fiddle to my teaching and … Continue reading Gap Week: December 3, 2021