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.
The Battle of Neville’s Cross (1346), according to the Lanercost Chronicle
The year 1346 is remembered in England mostly for the Battle of Crécy, where King Edward III defeated the French forces in one…
Training Royal Horses for Warfare: A Medieval Mastery
Their journey from colts to combat-ready mounts showcases the remarkable fusion of science, tradition, and skill in medieval horse training.
The Battle of Lewes (1264) – Bow & Blade, Episode 56
King Henry III faces Simon de Montfort as England falls into civil war. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about the Second Barons’ War, and why Henry and his son Edward lost a battle they should have won.
How to Buy a Medieval Warhorse
Owning a warhorse was more than a necessity for medieval knights—it was a symbol of their status and a critical asset in battle. England’s warrior aristocracy had multiple avenues to secure these prized animals, ranging from bustling horse fairs to deals with foreign merchants and independent traders.
Call for Papers: 4th International Conference on the Military History of the Mediterranean Sea
The 4th International Conference on the Military History of the Mediterranean Sea will be held by Ibn Haldun University, University of Ioannina and Hellenic Historical Society in Ioannina, Greece, on 9-11 June 2025.
Did Christians and Muslims Join Forces in the First Crusade?
The First Crusade is often seen as a clash between Christians and Muslims for control of Jerusalem. Yet, the reality was far more complex, with alliances that crossed religious lines.
New Medieval Books: Edward Longshanks’ Forgotten Conflict
The Anglo-French war of 1294-1303, also known as the Gascon War, was Edward I’s main focus, driving England and France into fierce battles and alliances over Aquitaine. This book delves into the bloody confrontations of the conflict, including the pivotal Battle of the Golden Spurs.
New Medieval Books: The Book of the Deeds of the Good Knight Jacques de Lalaing
A translation of a 15th-century account of a young knight from Burgundy. Jacques de Lalaing was only 32 years old when he died, but he had already become quite famous for his success in tournaments as well as his military career.
The Challenges and Pitfalls of an ‘Authentic’ Medieval Wargame
The medieval period is a perennial favourite amongst the tabletop wargamer. Figure ranges in all scales, from the ubiquitous 28mm down to 6mm, are extensive, and new rulesets come out on a regular basis.
Hastings: An Unusual Battle
Hastings was unusual. It was unlike the vast majority of medieval battles (and, in fact, most ancient and early modern battles) in three major ways.