Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 3:32:09-3:33:27

The merchant fleet behind medieval naval power

For most medieval states, more merchant ships meant more hulls available for conversion into warships.

Medieval NaviesMerchant ShippingNaval MobilisationVenice
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Question

What was the most effective way for a medieval country to increase naval capacity?

Short answer

Expand the merchant fleet, because most medieval naval forces were mobilized by converting commercial vessels for war.

Notes

Expanding merchant shipping gave most medieval countries more hulls to convert for war. Cogs could receive fighting castles at the bow and stern. Venice, other Italian maritime states, and the Ottomans provide examples of powers with purpose-built warships. China also had purpose-built vessels in the period, although converted merchant ships remained common in the encounters described.