Steel Lobsters

Crown, Commonwealth, and the Last Knights in England

De: Myke Cole

Narrado por: Oliver Hembrough

Bloomsbury presents Steel Lobsters: Crown, Commonwealth, and the last knights in England by Myke Cole, read by Oliver Hembrough.

A dramatic history of the Steel Lobsters, Sir Arthur Hesilrige’s Regiment of Horse, in the English Civil War – the last fully armoured knights in England.

The 17th-century battlefield ushered in a new era, with formed musketeers and pistol-wielding cavalry gradually taking over from the knights and men-at-arms that had dominated the European battlefield. Based on a detailed study of the primary sources, Steel Lobsters tells the story of this transition through the history of the last fully armoured knights in England.

Myke Cole, an award-winning novelist, historian, and veteran, examines the life and times of Sir Arthur Hesilrige and his Regiment of Horse, known as ‘the Lobsters’ as they were encased in plate armour. Steel Lobsters covers the full history of England's last knights, from the seeds of their creation in Hesilrige’s experience as a young cavalry officer, to their final defeat at Roundway Down in July 1643, and the decision to abandon their armour. It provides lavish detail on arms, armour, and tactics, but also covers the human story of Sir Arthur Hesilrige, the men who served under him, and even those who opposed him.

The story of this amazing unit is the story of the end of super-heavy cavalry, and this book delves into how wars were fought in the 17th century, the personalities, politics, and even spiritual beliefs of the combatants, how they fought, and why they ultimately lost.

©Myke Cole (P)Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Cole consistently delivers

I've read most of Mr. Cole's work, both fiction and non-fiction. This is another tome that does not disappoint. I wonder if most people appreciate the watershed moment in history covered by this book, when the dominant military technology of heavy cavalry ("heavy" as in actual armor) reached its evolutionary limit in the face of improving firearms. These "tanks on horseback" had a moment to shine (literally), then faded into history.

Cole provides the historical buildup to this moment, and weaves an entertaining (and accurate) personal narrative around it.

Would have been better as a farce

The story tries to make the priniciple character sound heroic, but I don’t take him that way. He seems more quioxtic. This should have been a farce. But as an American, I do appreciate the English history lesson. It’s a subject not often discussed in much detail in the States, which is odd because our revolution seems to have descended from it.