Gentlemen of the Blade

The focus of Gentleman of the Blade is contained in its subtitle, A Social and Literary History of the British Army since 1660.The end of Cromwellian Protectorate in 1660 with the Restoration is the point in history commonly considered to mark the beginning of the "modern" British Army.The premise is that this army's military ethos, unlike that of continental European armies, has been one of inspired amateurism. The author explores attitudes of and toward the British soldier through the 18th to 20th centuries, primarily through contemporary verse and literature. This very readable study is a colourful, informative, and indeed valuable contribution to our understanding of the evolution of the ethos of British arms until the Falklands War.