Mongols and their impact upon the Muslim Middle East
This is a video version of episode 26 of the podcast “‘Tis But A Scratch: Fact and Fiction About the Middle Ages,” hosted by Professor Richard Abels.
The Siege of Constantinople (1453)
One of the key dates from the Middle Ages is the year 1453. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss how the Ottomans were able to conquer the city of Constantinople and bring an end to the Byzantine Empire.
The Battle of Dupplin Moor
James Turner analyses this 14th-century battle in Scotland.
William Marshal and Richard the Lionheart: Two fierce knights in the 12th century
What happens when William Marshall and King Richard I take part in the same siege?
New Medieval Books: The Mongol Storm
This book examines how the medieval Middle East was reshaped by the invasion of the Mongol Empire in the thirteenth century. In this story of war and politics, new groups would emerge while others, including the Crusaders, would lose it all.
The Battle of Halidon Hill (1333)
Scotland and England are at war again, with the important border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed under siege. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss how the English were able to inflict a quick and devastating defeat on the Scots.
The Crusaders and Gaza
Almost eight hundred years ago, Gaza would be on the frontlines of another war, this one pitting the Crusaders against Fatimid Egypt.
Medieval Battle Injuries: What Archaeology Can Tell Us
Archaeology is transforming the way we understand medieval warfare. One way it is doing this is by revealing what kinds of injuries and wounds warriors received on the battlefield. Here are details from five sites showing how horrific warfare was in the Middle Ages.
The Battle of Ramla (1102): High-Watermark of the Egyptian Army
The Fatimid Egyptian empire fielded one of the most overlooked forces in the crusading period.
How to defeat Crusader Knights
Despite their strength, Crusader knights in the Medieval Middle East had vulnerabilities that could result in their defeat in battle.
New Medieval Books: The Utrecht Chronicle of the Teutonic Order
A chronicle written in the second half of the 15th century, which details the history of the Teutonic Knights, a military order that fought in the Near East and Baltic regions. The account came at a time when the order was in decline, but offers insights into how they viewed themselves and their mission.
Crusaders and the Other Siege of Damascus (1129)
One thing was clear to even the most untalented strategic thinker amongst the Crusaders – they needed to recover at least some of the old Christian inland cities of the Holy Land if they were to create a defence in depth.
Medieval Siegecraft: Crusader vs Turkish vs Mongol
When it comes to sieges, which group was the most successful in the medieval Middle East: Crusaders, Turks or Mongols?
The Infamous Military Campaign of 1379
The destruction of an English fleet led by Sir John Arundel in 1379 is reported by most chroniclers to be an unfortunate accident. However, if you read what Thomas Walsingham has to say about what happened, you get a far more horrific version of events.
The Battles of Thermopylae
A rather unassuming spot in Greece has seen dozens of battles throughout history. On this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries are joined by Myke Cole to talk about the book The Killing Ground: A Biography of Thermopylae, written by Michael and Myke.
The Most Dramatic Moment of the Middle Ages!
The Middle Ages had its share of dramatic moments with excitement and historical importance. However, what happened on the 23rd of March, 1369, has a truly epic quality to it.
Crusader Fleets: A Missing Ingredient
We tend to associate the Crusaders with all the bold, visually striking, images of medieval warfare. Charging knights and crossbowmen. Castles and siege towers. What we do not often think of is sailors and fleets
Escaping the Mongols: A Survivor’s Account from the 13th century
The story of Master Roger, one of the many people caught up in the Mongol invasion of Hungary in 1241.
New Medieval Books: The Killing Ground
A look at the area of Thermopylae in Greece, which according to the authors “might be the most blood-soaked ground in the world.” They detail twenty-seven military actions that took place here, including seven that took place in the Middle Ages.
The Battle of Edington (878)
The Vikings are attacking England, and it’s up to Alfred, King of Wessex, to stop them. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss this important battle in Anglo-Saxon England.
The Forgotten Crusaders
In the aftermath of the successful First Crusade, a new strategy was formulated on how to keep the Near East under Frankish control. The Siege of Caesarea was one of the first steps.
What is a battleline?
In their ninth Q&A, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer listener questions about medieval military history. What do we mean when we talk about lines at a battle? Could those first into a battle survive? Are there campaigns that do not lead to battles or sieges? What was their favourite scene of medieval warfare from a film?
New Medieval Books: Arms and Armour of the Renaissance Joust
With the help of the fine collection of arms and armour from the Royal Armouries Museum, this book details the evolution of jousting and tournaments in the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries.
The Templar Catastrophe at Cresson
Steve Tibble tells us about the Battle of Cresson, which set the stage for a pivotal moment for the Crusaders..
New Medieval Books: Byzantine Military Rhetoric in the Ninth Century
Want to know what kind of speeches a military commander gave in the Middle Ages? This book is a ninth-century guide from Byzantium on just how to do that, with examples based on fighting for your faith or country, and how to endure pain.