西歐中世紀戰爭的總體特征是頻發并持續向外擴張,這種戰爭總體特征與規范騎士群體的封建制度密切相關。在促進騎士及騎士軍隊成為專門化的軍事力量并使其參與封建戰爭進程當中,封建制度在政治、經濟、社會組織與思想文化等方面形成了常態化支撐機制。在這種支撐機制作用下,騎士及騎士軍隊最終成為西歐中世紀戰爭頻發和向外擴張的主角。對中世紀戰爭總體特征及其社會成因的綜合性考察,有助于進一步認識西歐封建社會特征,認清西方近代以來世界爭霸戰的歷史脈絡。

The frequent warfare of medieval Western Europe was marked by continuous outward expansion.Its general features were closely related to the feudal system that provided the norms of knighthood.By encouraging knightly armies to become specialized military forces and participate in feudal warfare,the feudal system gave rise to a normalized support mechanism in politics,economy,social organizations,and thought and culture.The knights and knightly armies acting under this support mechanism eventually became the protagonists of the outward expansion of the frequent medieval wars of Western Europe.A comprehensive investigation of the general characteristics of these wars and their social causes will help us to better understand the characteristics of feudal society in Western Europe and the historical context of world hegemony since the beginning of modern times.