Did Women defend Castles?
It is the seventh Q&A episode of Bow & Blade, with Michael and Kelly answering listener questions. Here they talk about the women defending castles, the Italian banks supporting Edward III, mustering troops from specific regions, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and where were the windmills in the Middle Ages.
The Battle of Aljubarrota (1385)
Castile goes to war against Portugal, hoping to take over this kingdom. The English and the French even take sides in this conflict, which culminates at Aljubarrota. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss the battle, where we have a lot of good sources and brilliant military tactics.
The Battle of Castillon (1453)
The Hundred Years’ War goes to Gascony, as the English and French do battle at Castillon. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about why the English commander John Talbot made such a tragic mistake in attacking the French camp.
The Battle of Othée (1408)
When the citizens of Liege go into revolt, they believe that they can fend off the armies of the nobles. Then they go up against John the Fearless and his professionally-trained Burgundian forces.
Bow & Blade Live!
A live recording of Bow & Blade from the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds. In this lighthearted episode with lots of audience participation, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer questions about the Hundred Years’ War, battlefields, and why William Wallace is a bad guy.
Q&A #6: How does a man-at-arms become a mercenary?
Michael and Kelly answer your questions in this somewhat abbreviated edition of Bow & Blade. Topics include the Ottoman siege of Rhodes, reading Vegetius on campaign, and historical fiction.
Siege of Tournai (1340)
After his victory at the Battle of Sluys, Edward III leads a coalition of England, Flanders, Hainaut, Brabant and the Holy Roman Empire against the French city of Tournai. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries tell us about a siege involving complex alliances, starvation and the money problems of a medieval ruler.
The Battle of Sluys (1340)
In the early stages of the Hundred Years’ War, the English and French naval forces fight a battle just off the coast of…
The Battle of Falkirk (1298)
William Wallace comes up against King Edward I in a fight for Scotland. Will the battle be like what you see in the movie Braveheart? This episode of Bow and Blade has Michael and Kelly looking at the English-Scottish wars of the late 13th century.
Why was 11th-century England so conquerable?
The fifth Q&A episode of Bow and Blade. Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions. Topics include: Kings on the battlefield, Brunanburh, Richard III, raids from Iberia, and who would be the medieval person to share a drink with.
The Siege of Acre (1291)
It’s the event marking the end of the Crusader States in the Near East. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about how the Mamluks conquered the city of Acre in 1291.
The Battle of Poitiers (1356)
England and France are again battling it out in this episode of Bow & Blade. Michael and Kelly focus on this battle from the Hundred Years’ War, where Edward the Black Prince would face off against King John II
The Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312)
One of the most important battles within the Roman Empire, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge is also famous as a defining moment…
The Siege of Jerusalem (1099)
It was a city that was besieged 20 times during the medieval period, including its (in)famous capture during the First Crusade. John Hosler joins Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries to talk about his new book Jerusalem Falls: Seven Centuries of War and Peace. This episode focuses on the siege of 1099
Q&A #4: How did a medieval soldier distinguish between friend and foe?
The fourth Q&A episode of Bow and Blade. Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions, including what was done with castles during peacetime, the communication of commanders and soldiers on the battlefield, and was King Richard III a good military leader.
The Battle of Nájera (1367)
The Hundred Years’ War moves to Iberia, as the French and English get involved in the Castilian Civil War. The forces would meet…
The Siege of Lisbon (1147)
One of the major actions of the Second Crusade took place far from the Holy Land, at the western edge of Europe. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about the Siege of Lisbon in 1147.
The Siege of Rhodes (1522)
The Mediterranean island of Rhodes would once be the stage for the conflict between the Hospitallers and the Ottoman Empire. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about how Suleiman the Magnificent was able to besiege and overcome the Hospitallers and their fortress.
The Battle of Towton (1461)
One of the major battles that took place during the Wars of the Roses – the Battle of Towton would take place during a snowstorm on Palm Sunday in the year 1461. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Michael and Kelly look at this conflict between the Houses of York and Lancaster.
Q&A #3: What was it like to fight in a shield wall?
The third Q&A episode of Bow and Blade. Michael and Kelly answer your questions, including how did warriors fight in a shield wall, why were the armies of Duke Charles the Bold so often defeated, what factors led to the rise of pikemen, just how good were longbow archers at shooting, and was Richard III a bad guy?
The Battle of Zonchio (1499)
In the first naval battle covered by Bow and Blade, Kelly and Michael discuss the Battle of Zonchio, fought on four separate days in August of 1499. The Ottoman and Venetian fleets fight off the coast of Greece in the Ionian Sea to determine who would control the waters of the eastern Mediterranean.
The Battle of Courtrai (1302)
Also known as the Battle of the Golden Spurs, it would see the people of Flanders defeat a French army in the year 1302. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Michael and Kelly look at the battle and war behind it, and how the Flemish infantry could stand up to the French cavalry.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge (1066)
King Harold Godwinson of England would see his country invaded by army led by his brother Tostig and King Harald Hardrada of Norway. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Kelly and Michael discuss the Norwegian invasion of 1066, which culminated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
The Battle of Shrewsbury (1403)
King Henry IV would face a major threat from within England, led by Henry “Harry Hotspur” Percy. Percy’s rebellion would culminate at the Battle of Shrewsbury, fought on 21 July 1403. How did this battle unfold, and how did Prince Hal survive an arrow to the face?