Featured battle : Villach 2

Part of The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars

Date : 28 August 1813 - 29 August 1813

The Austrians left an inadequate force [a single battalion] to hold this vital town and river crossing. They left 80% of the town burnt down and three arches of the bridge destroyed.

Stephen and Matilda's Civil War

Matthew Lewis
As a summation, an over view, Matthew Lewis’s book captures the essence, the ebb and flow, of the Anarchy. It is cleverly structured, moving chapter to chapter from opponent to opponent. The style of writing is lively and engaging which makes it difficult to put down.
The book is well researched although original sources are not extensive for the period covered. Lewis makes clear the bias in the accounts which are available and draws out some of their discrepancies. He supports his case by describing the actuality of subsequent positions and actions
The well supported conclusion is that the Anarchy was not as anarchical as the lingering legacy of Victorian writings would have us believe.
We highly recommend this book for anyone coming new or looking for a refreshing reappraisal of the Anarchy.

Pen & Sword History, 2019