What Happened After the First Crusade? The Battle for the Coast
Italian fleets, sailors and siege engineers played an overlooked role in capturing the fortified coastal cities of the medieval Holy Land.
The Combat of the Thirty: Chivalry and Violence in the Hundred Years’ War
Discover how the Combat of the Thirty became a celebrated yet violent expression of medieval chivalry during the Hundred Years’ War.
How the Normans Fought the Byzantine Empire
Explore nearly two centuries of warfare between the Normans and the Byzantine Empire, from southern Italy to the Balkans.
The Fifth Crusade: 5 Fascinating Facts from the Forgotten Campaign
Discover five fascinating facts about the Fifth Crusade, from the siege of Damietta and military innovations to the Nile’s decisive role in its failure.
The Battle of Formigny (1450)
As the Hundred Years’ War entered its final chapter, England and France fought for control of Normandy. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly examine the road to the Battle of Formigny and its decisive impact on the war.
The Viking Sieges of Medieval Paris
Why were the Vikings able to besiege Paris twice? Danielle Turner explores the political divisions, military strategy, and decisions that shaped these famous ninth-century attacks.
How Roman Taxes Became Medieval Military Service
How did Roman taxes become military service? David Bachrach explores the transition from the late Roman fiscal system to military obligations in the early Middle Ages.
Medieval Helmet Hoard Found off Spain Wasn’t Roman After All
For decades, a cache of 43 helmets found off the coast of Spain was thought to be Roman. New research reveals they were part of a late medieval arms shipment dating to the 14th and 15th centuries.
More Numerous Than the Grains of Sand: How Byzantium Supported the First Crusade
Tens of thousands of crusaders crossed Byzantine territory on their way to Jerusalem. Marek Meško reveals how Byzantine logistics and supply networks helped make the First Crusade possible.
15 Medieval Warrior Women Who Led Armies and Defended Kingdoms
Meet 15 medieval warrior women who led armies, defended kingdoms, and resisted invaders during the Middle Ages, from England and France to Persia, China, and Japan.
The Battle of Hattin (1187)
One of the pivotal battles of the Crusades, the Battle of Hattin was shaped by both brilliant strategy and disastrous decisions. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly explore how Saladin orchestrated a crushing defeat of the Crusader army, while also sharing insights into the film Kingdom of Heaven.
The Medieval Anti-War Satire You’ve Never Heard Of
Medieval literature is often filled with heroic battles and noble knights. But one fourteenth-century poem turned war into absurd comedy, mocking the very idea of military glory.
Q&A #14: Why were Infantry Defeating Knights in Battle?
In the latest Q&A episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly answer questions about infantry vs cavalry in late medieval battles, will there be archaeological excavations at Hundred Years’ War battlefields, favourite centuries and what our hosts will be doing this summer.
Were Carolingian Free Men Getting Poorer?
Did Charlemagne’s free landowners suffer widespread impoverishment? David Bachrach reexamines the evidence behind one of the most influential theories about Carolingian society, military service, and economic decline.
Byzantine Strategy and Geopolitics in the Tenth Century
Surrounded by rivals on every frontier, the Byzantine Empire of the tenth century relied on far more than battlefield victories to survive and expand. George Theotokis explores how emperors and diplomats used strategy, alliances, bribery, fortifications, and warfare to navigate a dangerous geopolitical world stretching from the Balkans to the Middle East.
The Battle of Grandson (1476)
Charles the Bold was building his Duchy of Burgundy into a European power when he faced the Old Swiss Confederacy. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about the Battle of Grandson, a key event of the Burgundian Wars.
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.
Byzantine vs. Viking: The Varangian Guard in Constantinople
How did Viking raiders become imperial bodyguards? Zoe Tsiami tells the story of the Varangian Guard in medieval Constantinople.
Henry V: More Than a Warrior-King
A teenage prince wounded in battle, a king who defied the odds in France, and a ruler whose legacy still shapes how we see the Hundred Years’ War—Henry V was far more complex than the legend suggests. Michael Livingston explores the experiences that forged his character, revealing a leader who combined battlefield brilliance with calculated political ambition.
Buddhist Warrior Monks: The Sohei of Medieval Japan
Explore the history of Japan’s sohei, the Buddhist warrior monks who fought for power, shaped temple rivalries, and played a key role in medieval conflicts.
Hoard of Medieval Cannonballs Found in Belgian City
Dozens of medieval cannonballs has been discovered in Nieuwpoort, Belgium, during excavations near the site of the city’s historic walls.
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.
The Battle of Tours (732)
Though often regarded as one of the most important battles of the Middle Ages, the Battle of Tours remains shrouded in uncertainty. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly explore the limited evidence to uncover where the battle may have been fought and what might have taken place there.