Exploring the armed conflicts of the Middle Ages and the modern era, Edward Creasy selects eight of the most important battles of this period of history, allowing us to examine in detail the large-scale picture of the evolution of weapons and warfare. The author analyzes the alignment of political forces at the time of the battle, characterizes the actions of military leaders, commanders and naval commanders, covers in detail the course of the battle itself and, finally, draws a conclusion about its significance for the further course of history. In this book you will get acquainted with the dramatic collisions of the Battle of Hastings and the battle from Valmy, learn about the victories of Joan of Arc over the British at Orleans and the Americans over General Burgoyne at Saratoga, consider all aspects of the defeat of the Spanish Armada and Napoleon's Battle of Waterloo, and also be able to appreciate the non-standard view of a foreign historian on the Battle of Poltava.