
Fortress Builder
Bernard de Gomme, Charles II's Military Engineer
Andrew Saunders(Author)
University of Exeter Press
Will be published approx. on 4. August 2004
Book
Hardback
400 pages
978-0-85989-751-8 (ISBN)
Description
This is the first study dedicated to the military engineer Bernard de Gomme, builder of many English citadels and forts. Very heavily illustrated, and produced in a large format, it includes reproductions of many of de Gomme's original plans and drawings. Bernard de Gomme started his English career when Prince Rupert recruited him as a fortifications expert at the beginning of the English Civil War; after the Restoration he became Surveyor-General of the Ordnance Office. Though Dutch in origin, he was the contemporary equivalent of Louis XIV's great engineer Vauban. De Gomme personifies the development of English military engineering during the late 17th century, at a time when bastioned fortification in Europe was at its most sophisticated. De Gomme's life and work are the central elements of the book. But the book also provides an education in 17th century military fortification theory and practice.
Reviews / Votes
... places de Gomme in the larger context of military engineering and describes in detail his specific works in England. While truly scholarly, the book is well and clearly written, and does not demand prior expertise in the field. Many historian-authors will envy Saunders for the investment that the University of Exeter Press, supported by a grant from English Heritage, has made in this quality book. It is an unusually attractive work, with numerous plans vital to understanding de Gomme's work. It is good to see such an important book so well produced. This book, then, is the happy combination of an authoritative author and a committed publisher. The resulting work does justice to a major figure in the history of English fortifications, and is highly recommended to anyone with an interest in either 17th-Century fortifications or English fortifications. While not inexpensive, it is clearly an excellent investment. * The Coast Defence Journal * This rounded analysis sets the work and achievement of de Gomme in its wider historical, political and technical context and skilfully traces his growing influence on design through his fortification commissions and his state appointments. * Antiquaries Journal. Volume 86 * On all counts this volume is warmly recommended. * Antiquaries Journal. Volume 86 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Liverpool University Press
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 265 mm
Width: 205 mm
ISBN-13
978-0-85989-751-8 (9780859897518)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
An authority in the field of military architecture, both of early medieval castles and later artillery fortifications, he acquired an international reputation. His other books include "Fortress Britain: Artillery Fortification in the British Isles and Ireland" (1989); "Exploring England's Heritage: Devon and Cornwall" (1991); "The English Heritage Book of Channel Defences" (1997); and numerous official guide books to castles and fortifications.
Content
List of plates and figures
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction: The Background to Seventeenth-Century
Fortress Building
The European background
Military organisation
Predominance of siege warfare
The role of the engineer
Bernard de Gomme (1620-1685)
The Anglo-Dutch relationship and the Civil Wars
1. The Old Dutch School of Fortification
2. The Civil War, 50
3. Dunkirk and Tangier
4. Plymouth Citadel
5. Portsmouth
6. The Medway
7. Tilbury Fort
8. The Tower of London and Other Commissions
9. .De Gomme and the Ordnance Office
10. De Gomme as Draughtsman
11. De Gomme as Military Engineer
Conclusion: De Gomme, the Man in Context
Appendix: List of de Gomme's Plans and Drawings
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
Introduction: The Background to Seventeenth-Century
Fortress Building
The European background
Military organisation
Predominance of siege warfare
The role of the engineer
Bernard de Gomme (1620-1685)
The Anglo-Dutch relationship and the Civil Wars
1. The Old Dutch School of Fortification
2. The Civil War, 50
3. Dunkirk and Tangier
4. Plymouth Citadel
5. Portsmouth
6. The Medway
7. Tilbury Fort
8. The Tower of London and Other Commissions
9. .De Gomme and the Ordnance Office
10. De Gomme as Draughtsman
11. De Gomme as Military Engineer
Conclusion: De Gomme, the Man in Context
Appendix: List of de Gomme's Plans and Drawings
Notes
Glossary
Bibliography
Index