Medieval Battle Speeches: Words That Shaped History
In the heat of battle, when swords clashed and armies trembled, a few powerful words could tip the balance between victory and defeat.
Fight or Flee? The Medieval Dilemma Every Knight Faced
Every knight on the battlefield faced a critical decision: should they fight to the death or choose the shame of fleeing to save…
The Battle of Bryn Glas (1402) – Bow & Blade, Episode 54
At the beginning of the 15th century, Owain Glyndŵr would lead a Welsh rebellion against King Henry IV of England. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly examine one of the key battles of that war.
Medieval Marauders: The Ruthless Scavengers of War
The medieval battlefield was not solely the domain of knights and soldiers, but also of opportunistic scavengers who exploited the turmoil for personal…
New Theories on the Battle of Hastings: A Shift in Location and Weather’s Role
Two recent studies are reshaping our understanding of the Battle of Hastings. One challenges the long-held belief about where the battle took place, while the other highlights the crucial role that weather played in the events of 1066.
Near Miss: How Medieval England Was Almost Invaded
In 1385 and 1386, England was about to be invaded by France.
Siege Warfare in the Levant, 1097-1193
What did a siege look like in the 12th-century Middle East? How did people prepare for them? Which technique was the most likely to succeed?
When Knights Misbehaved: Criminal Acts on the Crusades
In the Middle Ages, crusade commanders faced a relentless struggle to maintain order. They knew that minor crimes could quickly spiral into chaos, undermining their authority and jeopardizing the entire campaign.
Surviving Medieval Paris: Life and Death in a War-Torn City
During the Hundred Years’ War, Paris was a city under siege. For sixteen harrowing years, the English ruled, and the streets ran red…
The Art of War in the Renaissance: Technology, Tactics, and the “Face of Battle”
In this talk, Clifford Rogers will place the Battle of Pavia in this context, explaining the general tactics of the day and how they related to what were then recent developments in the technology of firearms and of armor.
New Medieval Books: The Dawn of the Warrior Age
This book offers translations of three medieval texts: The Tale of the Hogen Years, The Tale of the Heiji Years, and An Account of the Jokyu Years, all of which describe war and violence over who would rule the imperial court of Japan.
The Battle Of Ankara (1402)
Huge armies clash as the Ottoman sultan sultan Bayezid I faced off against the emir of the Timurid Empire, Timur. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly look at the battle and the account of the fighting by Johann Schiltberger.
7 Cunning Byzantine Tactics to Defeat a Medieval Army
Discover ingenious ways to outsmart and defeat a medieval army without direct confrontation, as detailed in the 10th-century Byzantine military manual, the Sylloge Tacticorum.
Can You Move in Medieval Armour? An Experiment in Mythbusting
Many believe the myth that medieval armour was hard to move in. However, with Boucicaut as an example, our video proves that late medieval armour allowed for surprising mobility.
Medieval Masculinity: The Evolution of the Ideal Male Body in the High Middle Ages
Discover how medieval knights balanced physical fitness and spiritual holiness in the High Middle Ages, reshaping the ideal male body. Explore the evolution of masculine virtues through the lens of chivalry, monastic influence, and the crusades.
The Weardale Campaign (1327)
In 1327, Scottish forces invaded England, posing the first test for the newly crowned Edward III. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss how the English response turned out so badly.
Norfolk Soldiers Serving in the Count of Holland’s Friesland Campaign of 1396
John Alban discusses the involvement of English soldiers from Norfolk in a 1396 military campaign led by Albert of Bavaria, also known as the Count of Holland, against the Frisians in the Netherlands.
New Medieval Books: Gunpowder Technology in the Fifteenth Century
After examining what we know about the development of gunpowder in late medieval Europe, this book offers an edition and translation of an early 15th-century manuscript known as a Firework Book.
The Unsung Heroes of Medieval Warfare: How Clerks Shaped Armies
Medieval warfare often evokes images of knights and their weapons, yet a significant but less celebrated group played a crucial role: the clerks.
New Medieval Books: 1217: The Battles That Saved England
Covering the momentous events that took place in England between 1216 and 1217, this book focuses on the Siege of Dover Castle, the Battle of Lincoln and the naval Battle of Sandwich.
The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212)
A turning point in the history of Iberia, the year 1212 would see the combined armies of Castile, Aragon and Navarre facing off against the Almohads. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about a key battle of the Reconquista.
How did weather impact medieval battles?
It is a Q&A episode of Bow & Blade, with Michael and Kelly answering listener questions. In this episode, they talk about the impact of weather on medieval battles, how often did soldiers train, and why are there more sources about the Battle of Crecy (1346) than the Battle of Poitiers (1356).
Kings on the Move: The Case of the Great Viking Army
Between 865 and 879 CE, the great Viking army campaigned extensively across England, eventually conquering three of the four Anglo-Saxon kingdoms.
The County of Tripoli: A Forgotten Past
The silent alleys of Tripoli still retain their medieval charms. They tell the stories of glorious counts, chivalrous knights in shining armour, and fighting men of order.