Contracts for War: How Medieval Bishops Raised Armies
How did medieval bishops raise armies for war? David Bachrach reveals how military contracts helped them secure the troops their kings demanded.
New Medieval Books: The Knights Templar
Few organisations in history have achieved as much fame, or infamy, as the Knights Templar. This book introduces you to their story, from their founding during the Crusades to their dramatic downfall.
Bow & Blade: Q&A #15 – Decisive Battles of the Middle Ages
This episode of Bow & Blade was recorded live at the 2026 International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds. Kelly and Michael answer questions including was Agincourt the most decisive battle of the period, what battle do they find most useful to teach, and who was the most effective general of the Middle Ages?
New Medieval Books: Warfare in the Global Middle Ages
Whether you were a military commander in medieval England or Japan, you would have faced many of the same challenges of organisation, logistics, and tactics. This book takes a comparative approach to medieval warfare, examining how armies fought and operated across different parts of the medieval world.
Call for Papers: 5th International Conference on the Military History of the Mediterranean Sea
Call for Papers for the 5th International Conference on the Military History of the Mediterranean Sea, taking place in Istanbul in June 2027.
The Fall of Constantinople and the Making of a Myth
How the fall of Constantinople in 1453 shaped trauma, myth, Orthodox memory, and the end of the Byzantine Empire.
Why the Crusaders Needed a Navy
Why did the Crusaders need naval power? Steve Tibble examines the sieges of Arsuf and how control of the sea could determine success in the Crusades.
New Medieval Books: Under the Viking Yoke
This book examines the emergence of Brittany in the Early Middle Ages, focusing on a period when the Carolingian Empire was disintegrating and the region faced increasing Viking attacks.
The Broigne: What Armour Do You See in the Bayeux Tapestry?
A new look at the armour of the Bayeux Tapestry explores the medieval broigne, its construction, archaeological evidence and role in Norman warfare.
The Battle of Campaldino (1289)
Florence and its allies faced the forces of Arezzo in one of the most important battles of medieval Tuscany. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss the Battle of Campaldino and the fighting that brought Dante Alighieri onto the battlefield.
Korea’s Oldest Firearm Discovered During Landmine Search
A small bronze firearm discovered during a landmine search in South Korea has been identified as the country’s oldest surviving gunpowder weapon.
New Medieval Books: The Fifth Crusade
The Fifth Crusade is often overlooked, even by those who study the Crusades. This book shows why its story deserves greater attention, offering valuable insights into the politics and warfare of the medieval Near East.
What the Bayeux Tapestry Really Tells Us About Medieval Warfare
The Bayeux Tapestry offers a vivid picture of medieval warfare, but how reliable is it? John France examines what it reveals about Hastings, weapons, armour and cavalry.
How Medieval Bishops Took Monastic Wealth to Pay Their Soldiers
Medieval bishops needed soldiers, but maintaining them came at a cost. David Bachrach explores how monastic wealth was used to support military households.
New Medieval Books: Crusader Principality of Antioch from Bohemond I to Bohemond III (1098-1161)
When it comes to the Crusader States, the Principality of Antioch is often overlooked. This book aims to correct that, offering an in-depth examination of its political history during the first six decades of its existence.
Byzantine Siege Weapons Discovered at the Battlefield of Manzikert
Archaeologists at Manzikert have uncovered 11th-century Byzantine ballista bolt heads linked to the siege that preceded the famous battle of 1071.
The Battle of Ramla: How Baldwin I Nearly Lost Everything
Baldwin I expected a minor raid at Ramla in 1102. Instead, the King of Jerusalem faced a powerful Fatimid army and one of his most disastrous defeats.
The Battle of Bosworth (1485)
King Richard III faces Henry Tudor in one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss the Battle of Bosworth and how the identification of its battlefield has offered new insights into how the fighting unfolded.
How One Battle Could Change the Medieval World
Discover why medieval battles could have enormous consequences, toppling rulers, reshaping kingdoms and changing the course of European history.
Medieval Clues Point to Lost Viking Battlefield
Medieval accounts may help identify Castle Hill in Devon as the long-lost site of the Battle of Cynuit, where Anglo-Saxon forces defeated a Viking army in 878.
How the Crusaders Turned Gaza into a Medieval Frontier Fortress
Gaza became a Crusader fortress that isolated Fatimid-held Ascalon and reshaped the medieval struggle between the Kingdom of Jerusalem and Egypt.
When Medieval Fighting Men Owed Service to More Than One Lord
How did Carolingian and Ottonian rulers manage fighting men who owed military service to more than one lord?
What Does Forest Management Have to Do with Medieval Warfare?
How medieval Normandy’s carefully managed forests supplied the timber needed to build warships, repair castles and produce weapons during the Hundred Years’ War.
New Medieval Books: Harald Hardrada
Perhaps the most famous figure of the Viking Age, Harald Hardrada led an eventful life that took him across much of the eleventh-century world. This book recounts his remarkable story while offering insights into the many lands and states through which he travelled.