Historian Uncovers Unusual Rewards for Victory in Late Medieval Spain
In 1483, Queen Isabel I and King Fernando of Castile granted royal garments as perpetual rewards for battlefield victories. A new study uncovers how these unusual gifts became lasting symbols of favour, power, and memory in late medieval Spain.
The Medieval Military Revolution: How War Shaped the Rise of the State
Discover how medieval warfare evolved from feudal levies to royal armies—and how these changes laid the groundwork for the modern state in the 13th and 14th centuries.
Why Medieval Wars Were Fought: Power, Borders, and Sovereignty
Medieval wars weren’t always about religion or feudal duty—they were often about who had the right to rule and where. Beneath the surface of conflicts like England’s wars with Scotland and France were deeper struggles over sovereignty, territory, and the very shape of emerging states.
How strong were Gunpowder Weapons in the Middle Ages?
It is the 12th Q&A episode of Bow & Blade. Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions on gunpowder weapons, Gilles de Rais and medieval sites to visit.
New Medieval Books: Byzantine Sources for the Crusades, 1095-1204
These translated sources present Byzantine perspectives on the First through Fourth Crusades, offering a view of the Crusades as seen from Constantinople.
How Medieval Sword Fighting Really Worked: Lessons from Fiore dei Liberi
Discover how medieval knights really fought with swords through the eyes of Fiore dei Liberi, one of the earliest masters of European martial arts. His richly illustrated 14th-century manual reveals authentic techniques for combat on foot and horseback, armed and unarmed.
New Medieval Books: Complete Essentials for the Military Classics
This is a partial translation of Wujing Zongyao, an important 11th-century Chinese military treatise. The section translated in this volume contains examples from Chinese history that serve as examples of good strategies and tactics related to warfare.
The Rise of Gunpowder Weapons in Medieval Korea
One of the key developments in medieval history was the creation of gunpowder weaponry. Throughout the medieval world, it would greatly change how war was waged. The Annals of King T’aejo includes an account of how gunpowder weapons were introduced to Korea.
The Siege of Belgrade (1521)
The Ottomans launch another siege against the city of Belgrade. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Kelly and Michael explore how Suleiman the Magnificent and his forces ultimately achieved victory.
New Medieval Books: Chronicle of King Charles VII
An edition and translation of a chronicle by a monk with ties to the French government, offering a detailed account of political and military events in France, particularly those of the Hundred Years’ War.
Henry the Young King: Top Star in the Tournament World
The tournament fields of 12th-century France were the battlegrounds where young knights sought fame, fortune, and glory. Among them was Henry the Young King, whose relentless pursuit of victory made him both a celebrated champion and a cautionary tale of ambition.
The Siege of Belgrade (1456)
The Ottoman Empire, led by Mehmed II, clashes with Hungarian and Serbian forces under John Hunyadi. In this episode of Bow & Blade, we examine the first of two sieges that took place in Belgrade.
King Alfred’s Peace-Making Strategies with the Vikings
Explore how King Alfred’s peace-making strategies, from treaties to baptisms, reshaped Viking leaders into Christian rulers, ultimately transforming the fate of medieval England.
New Medieval Books: The Anarchy: The Darkest Days of Medieval England
When King Henry I died in 1135, his nephew Stephen of Blois seized the English throne, igniting a bitter struggle for power with his cousin Matilda. This book explores the ensuing civil war, known as The Anarchy, a turbulent period that plunged England into chaos and conflict.
New Online Course: Medieval Warfare in the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia
Explore the development of land warfare from 1000 to 1300. From the Eurasian Steppe to the Middle East and the kingdom of England, this course offers a sweeping panorama of military history during a crucial period in global history.
New Medieval Books: Charter of the Order of the Dragon
In 1408, King Sigismund of Hungary and Croatia created a chivalric order which would play an important role in efforts against the Ottoman Empire. This book contains the Latin text and English translation of the charter that set up this order.
How Medieval Navies Recruited Sailors Who Didn’t Want to Sail
Medieval navies struggled to find willing sailors, often resorting to bribes, deception, and even forced service to fill their ranks. From staged sea battles to promises of silver and spoils, recruiters used every trick in the book to turn reluctant men into seafarers.
The Myth of the Medieval Flail: Separating Fact from Fiction
The flail, with its chain and spiked ball, is an iconic image of medieval weaponry in the collective imagination. However, its actual use on medieval battlefields is highly contested
Why Did the Crusader States Fight So Many Battles (Especially When They Shouldn’t Have)?
Why did the Crusader States engage in so many battles when the odds and outcomes often seemed stacked against them?
The Battle of Patay (1429) – Bow & Blade, Episode 57
Joan of Arc continues to put the English on the run. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Kelly and Michael examine this…
New Medieval Books: The Damietta Crusade, 1217-1221
The Fifth Crusade saw European forces launch an ambitious invasion of Egypt. This book delves into the military dimensions of the campaign, examining the grand strategy of the Crusaders and the tactical manoeuvres employed during the protracted siege of Damietta, which spanned over 18 months.
Battle, Betrayal, and Balliol: The Struggle for Scotland and the Battle of Annan
In the chaos of 14th-century Scotland, a band of exiled nobles known as the Disinherited rose against the odds, claiming a shocking victory at Dupplin Moor and crowning their leader, Edward Balliol, as king. But triumph soon turned to tragedy, as betrayal and a deadly December ambush unraveled their hold on the Scottish throne.
Cultural Representations of Warfare in the High Middle Ages: The Morgan Picture Bible
The Morgan Picture Bible is more than a mid-13th-century masterpiece of art; it is a vivid and, at times, exaggerated lens into how medieval nobles envisioned warfare.
How Medieval Armies Cared for Their Warhorses
This article explores how medieval armies looked after their warhorses, from initial preparations to the challenges they faced on campaign.
