The purpose of this book is to provide an overarching analysis of the French military in the medieval period. Inevitably this will involve some definition of 'French', which has meant different things at different times. The focus will be on the armies of the French monarchy and the lands close around them, extending from the Low Countries to Provence. Central themes will be recruitment and 'pay' (in the widest sense), military organisation, leadership, strategy and tactics, and weapons and arms. This will embrace chivalry and military culture and the rise of military professionalism. The result will be a comprehensive analysis of the French military in the medieval period.