FALL OF THE MERCHANT-FARMER REPUBLIC: The Battle of Visby 1361 and the Danish Conquest of Gotland

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Analyzes the Battle of Visby, presents new research on the arms, armor, and military organization of the Gotland merchant-farmer republic, details the opposing armies, and explains the outcome and its consequences. Gotland, the largest island in the Baltic, was an autonomous Swedish territory. When King Valdemar Atterdag landed on the island with Danish knights and seasoned German mercenaries, his chief adversary was the well-armed rural militia. Details how the battle ended in a catastrophic defeat for the Gotland militia and how their remains, discovered in modern archaeological excavations, provide an unparalleled window into the arms, armor, and organization of a unique merchant-farmer society. Reconstructs not only the course of the battle but also the political, economic, and cultural forces that shaped it. Contains 32 black and white illustrations, 108 black and white photos, 10 pages of color illustrations, 6 black and white maps, and 4 tables.