Victory in Death: The Templars at Cresson
In May 1187, the Templars were annihilated at the Springs of Cresson in the Kingdom of Jerusalem. Explore how the order turned catastrophe into a story of martyrdom and “victory in death,” on the eve of Hattin.
Crossing Under Fire: River Operations in Early Medieval Warfare
Early medieval commanders knew that rivers could stop an army as effectively as walls. Using Frontinus alongside case studies from Otto I and Henry II, this article explores feints, bridge-building, and the tactics behind forced crossings.
The Failed Hit at Mont Gisard: The Templars against Saladin
At the Battle of Mont Gisard in 1177, the Templars came within yards of killing Saladin. This feature looks at the near-assassination, the shock of the Frankish charge, and how Saladin sought revenge in the years that followed.
New Medieval Books: The Conquest of al-Andalus
We have relatively few sources for the Islamic conquest of Iberia in the early eighth century. This translation of a later account offers fresh insight into those events.
Order on the March: Discipline in Early Medieval Europe
Early medieval armies didn’t just fight battles—they had to keep order on the road, policing theft, violence, and disobedience as they marched. Explore…
Q&A #13: How Do You Write About Joan of Arc?
In the latest Q&A episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly tackle listener questions on Joan of Arc, standout new books on medieval warfare, and whether Richard III really killed the Princes in the Tower.
‘Be on the Lookout for Us’: The Assassins Against Saladin
Assassins struck at Saladin twice in 1175–1176, using disguise, surprise, and terror as weapons of statecraft. Chroniclers recount near-misses, propaganda spin, and a tense settlement that brought peace without trust.
The Siege of Montségur (1243-44)
In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly head to the Pyrenean stronghold of Montségur to unpack the dramatic siege that brought the Cathar refuge to its end. They explore how faith, politics, and military pressure collided on the mountain—and what the fall of Montségur meant for the wider Albigensian Crusade.
The Medieval Origins of Military Chaplaincy
How medieval armies developed military chaplaincy, from Constantine’s bishops to Ireland’s repeatable confession and the Carolingian reforms that put priests on campaign across Western Europe.
New Medieval Books: Assassins and Templars
When it comes to the crusading era, few groups have been more mythologised than the Knights Templar and the Ismailis—often labelled the “Assassins.” This book takes a fresh look at both, showing not only how their histories have been shaped by legend, but also how—and why—they could resemble each other in surprising ways.
Cartier and the Lost Crusader Sword
Louis J. Cartier discovered a medieval sword pommel in a Damascus bazaar in the 1920s—an artefact later identified as belonging to crusader Peter of Dreux. Now at The Met, the object offers a rare, personal link to the Seventh Crusade and its leading French nobles.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297)
In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly examine the Battle of Stirling Bridge in Scotland as a clear example of poor generalship. Focusing on the English command’s mistakes, they explore how underestimating William Wallace and the Scottish forces led to disastrous decisions over terrain and timing.
Medieval Mystery of Brunanburh Battle May Be Solved, New Study Argues
A long-running debate over the location of one of the most important battles fought in medieval England may finally be nearing an answer. A new study argues that the Battle of Brunanburh, fought in 937, took place at Bromborough on the Wirral, bringing fresh clarity to a question that has occupied historians for more than a century.
Assassins and Templars at War – Ambushes and Ambassadors
A dramatic ambush derailed a potential alliance between the Crusaders and the Assassins, plunging the Kingdom of Jerusalem into crisis. This article explores the negotiations, the killing of the Nizari envoy and the political fallout that followed.
Rebuilding the Higgins Collection: Successes, Surprises, and What’s Still Missing
The Higgins Collection—one of America’s most distinctive assemblies of arms and armor—has finally reopened to the public at the Worcester Art Museum. Its new galleries offer flashes of the old museum’s spirit, along with choices that may surprise longtime admirers.
How Medieval Soldiers Profited from War under Edward I
Medieval soldiers in Edward I’s armies often turned warfare into a source of income, creating a new class of mounted military entrepreneurs.
The Impalings of Vlad the Impaler
One of the most infamous characters from the Middle Ages was Vlad III Dracula, the prince of Wallachia. Here is the story of how he gained the nickname of ‘the Impaler’.
The Medieval Order of Assassins with Steve Tibble
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about who the Assassins were, what tactics they used in the Middle Ages, and what this legendary order stood for.
Le Boucicaut: A Medieval French Marshal in Byzantium
Explore the remarkable journey of Boucicaut, the medieval French marshal whose 1399–1400 expedition to Byzantium placed him at the centre of crusading politics and Ottoman-Byzantine conflict
All for the Want of a Warhorse: Horse Breeding and Royal Warfare in Thirteenth-Century England
Edward I responded to England’s medieval warhorse shortage with export bans, foreign purchases, and an expanded royal stud system. His policies show how crucial trained warhorses were to military campaigns in Wales, Scotland, and on the Continent.
What Do Economists and Assassins Have in Common?
An examination of the economic pressures behind the medieval Assassins, from costly fortresses to the financial realities that influenced their role as hired killers.
How a Medieval Sect Built a Mountain Stronghold in Syria
Discover how a persecuted sect known as the Assassins transformed remote Syrian fortresses into the centre of a medieval mountain state—blending diplomacy, strategy, and fortification to secure their survival.
Logistics and “Paperwork” in Early Medieval Warfare
Discover how early medieval rulers like Charlemagne organized their wars through meticulous planning and record-keeping, revealing a sophisticated logistical system that kept their armies supplied and ready for campaign.
The Two Hundred Years’ War with Michael Livingston
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Michael Livingston about why the Hundred Years’ War should actually be called the Two Hundred Years’ War, what actually touched off the conflict, and why we should question everything.
