Warfare at Sea is the first truly international study of warfare at sea in this period. Jan Glete places the history of warfare at sea within a readable, modern framework, bringing together historical research and analyzing questions on war, statebuilding, strategy and tactics, and economic and technological change.

Commencing in the late fifteenth century with the introduction of gunpowder in naval warfare and rapid transformation of maritime trade, the book focuses on the scope and limitations of war before the advent of big battle fleets from the middle of the seventeenth century.

The book also compares the social history of seamen and the early officer corps in several European countries.

Warfare at Sea is essential reading for those interested in early modern history in general and in economic and naval history in particular.