Who Controlled Fortress-Building in Early Medieval Europe?
Did medieval kings really lose control over fortress-building after the collapse of the Roman Empire? David Bachrach explores how rulers in the Carolingian…
When Cities Hired Nobles: Military Alliances in Medieval Germany
David Bachrach examines how medieval German cities formed military alliances with nobles, revealing how urban communities managed war, trade, and political power in the thirteenth century.
The Carolingian–Abbasid Axis: Charlemagne and the Caliphate
David Bachrach explores the ties between the Carolingian and Abbasid empires, showing how diplomacy, trade, and shared interests connected the early medieval world.
Burghal Hidage and Assault Forces in Medieval Siege Warfare
How large did an army need to be to successfully storm a fortified town in the early Middle Ages? David Bachrach uses the Burghal Hidage to uncover what this remarkable document reveals about the scale of assault forces and the realities of medieval siege warfare.
How Church Leaders Helped Defend Medieval Germany
David Bachrach on how church leaders played a crucial role in defending medieval Germany, organizing fortifications and mobilizing communities under the Ottonian rulers.
The Size of Armies in Early Medieval Warfare
Were early medieval armies small warbands or much larger fighting forces? David Bachrach examines the fierce scholarly debate over army size and what it reveals about warfare after the fall of Rome.
Charlemagne’s Failed Invasion of Spain, 777–778
David Bachrach on Charlemagne’s failed invasion of Spain in 777–778, a campaign that ended with the Frankish defeat at Roncevaux Pass and later inspired the Song of Roland.
Military Intelligence and Planning in the Carolingian Empire
David Bachrach explores how the Carolingian rulers gathered intelligence, interrogated travellers, and compiled detailed frontier reports to plan and execute their military campaigns.
Military Education in Early Medieval Europe: Learning from Books
Discover how early medieval commanders were trained using books, manuals, and historical texts—revealing the role of reading in preparing leaders for war, sieges, and logistics.
When Was Violence Legitimate? Feuds and Just War in Early Medieval Germany
When was violence acceptable in the early Middle Ages? Examining feuds, just war, and how early medieval Germany defined legitimate and illegitimate conflict.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
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 Edict of 1037: How Conrad II Reshaped Medieval Power
Discover how Emperor Conrad II’s Edictum de Beneficiis transformed power in medieval Italy. Once seen as the birth of feudalism, this 1037 decree reveals a deeper story of politics, land, and loyalty.
Mieszko I and the Making of Medieval Poland
Mieszko I transformed a network of Slavic tribes into the foundations of medieval Poland. Using early chronicles and recent archaeological evidence, this article traces the rise of the Piast dynasty and the emergence of a powerful Central European state.
Writing a World History of Warfare
A behind-the-scenes look at writing Warfare in the Global Middle Ages by one of its co-authors.
Knighthood Before the Crusades: Bishop Gerard of Cambrai’s Vision of Medieval Society
This article examines Bishop Gerard of Cambrai’s vision of medieval society, contrasting it with Georges Duby’s influential model of knighthood and the three orders before the Crusades.
How the Carolingians Organized Military Service in the Ninth Century
Explore how the Carolingians organized military service in the ninth century, from wealth-based militia obligations to the Edict of Pîtres, the Benevento Capitulary, and Louis the German’s charter.
How Carolingian Soldiers Learned to Fight
Discover how Carolingian soldiers learned the art of war, from feigned retreats to sword drills. A surviving manual and eyewitness accounts shed light on military training in the Early Middle Ages.
Why a Benefice Did Not Make a Vassal in the Middle Ages
David Bachrach on why holding a benefice did not make someone a vassal in the Middle Ages, challenging long-held assumptions about feudalism and medieval society.
Archbishop Albero of Trier: Master of Siege Warfare in Medieval Germany
Learn how Archbishop Albero of Trier used siege warfare to secure independence and reshape power in medieval Germany.