Inter arma enim silent leges (In times of war, the laws fall silent). Violence in Medieval warfare
Abstract
The present paper addresses the subject of military violence in the Middle Ages. The medieval chroniclers and writers provide numerous instances of wartime atrocities and massacres of non-combatants and prisoners of war. The attempts to place restraints on the conduct of war were undertaken by the Church as early as in the 11th century. It has been examined how these efforts together with the code of chivalry, royal ordinances and the writings of ius in bello theorists influenced soldiers’ behaviour and whether they were instrumental in reducing civilians suffering. The conclusion has been reached that despite all the endeavours to limit arms violence it basically remained unmitigated.
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