Bertrandon de la Broquière: A Medieval Secret Agent?
Bertrandon de la Broquière embarked on a remarkable journey across the heart of the Ottoman Empire, for one year in 1432, documenting his experiences in a detailed account that continues to fascinate historians today.
Byzantine Spies and Espionage
Here, I will deal with the methods and dangers of information and intelligence flow that authorities in Byzantium could gather in local markets and fairs, important ports, and taverns and inns, and how they reacted to spies and espionage activity in these particular places.
Female Secret Agents in the Middle Ages
When we talk about spies in the Middle Ages, it’s easy to envision soldiers sneaking into enemy camps or royal messengers with a hidden agenda.
Cryptographic Systems Used in the Romanian Countries between the 15th – 19th Centuries
Situated in the southeast of Europe, Romanian Countries had an intense diplomatic activity, even if this was not recorded accordingly in documents of the day.
Espionage in the 16th century Mediterranean: Secret Diplomacy, Mediterranean Go-betweens and the Ottoman-Habsburg Rivalry
This dissertation compares both empires’ secret services and explains the differences between the two systems of information gathering based on these empires’ differing organizational structures.
The Mongol Intelligence Apparatus: The Triumphs of Genghis Khan’s Spy Network
Genghis Khan was a great military strategist, but his unparalleled ability to run intelligence operations was the key to his victories.
Byzantine Intelligence Service
The basis on which the successful administration of the Roman Empire at its zenith was built was the cursus publicus, or the state post. This organization also made the service of intelligence more effective.
William Herle and the English Secret Service
William Herle and the English Secret Service Gill, Michael Patrick M.A. Thesis, Victoria University of Wellington (2010) Abstract This thesis examines William Herle‘s…
The Artifice of War: Intelligence and Intrigue in the Third Crusade
The Artifice of War: Intelligence and Intrigue in the Third Crusade By Dana Cushing Paper given at the 33rd International Medieval Congress, Western…
The Prince, the Assassin and the Mongols
On a night in June 1272, in the Crusader city of Acre, the English prince Edward and his wife Eleanor were asleep when a spy came asking to meet with Edward.
Military Intelligence in Arabo-Byzantine Naval Warfare
Military Intelligence in Arabo-Byzantine Naval Warfare By Vassilios Christides To empolemo Byzantino – Byzantium at War, edited by Nicolas Oikonomides (Athens: Institute for…