The Theory and Practice of War and Government Practiced by King Pere III "the Ceremonious" of Aragon (1336–87)

Abstract

abstract:This article focuses on the development of war theory during the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and how it affected the practical ruling philosophy of one Iberian king—Pere III of Aragon (r. 1336–87). Though familiar with the many warfare manuals of his era, Pere was directly influenced by the religious work of his uncle, Prince Pere d'Aragó (1305–81) and the chivalric autobiography of his great-great grandfather, Jaume I (r. 1214–76). King Pere III used these works to better understand war and to try to improve his own performance as both king and commander, both of which avocations he thought and wrote about in great detail.