From Liberation to Loss: The Early Crusades to the Holy Land
Explore the first phase of the Crusades to the Holy Land, from the capture of Jerusalem in 1099 to the fall of Edessa and the failed Second Crusade.
New Medieval Books: The Warhorse in England
Horses played a vital role in medieval warfare, and this book draws on the governmental records of Kings Edward I and Edward II to reveal how these animals were raised, trained for combat, and managed during military campaigns.
Wars of the Roses Battle May Not Have Been a Battle at All, Historians Find
New research challenges the traditional story of the Battle of Wakefield, suggesting it may not have been a battle at all—but an ambush and murder of Yorkist leaders during the Wars of the Roses.
New Medieval Books: Crescent Dawn
This book explores the political and military history of the Ottoman Empire, tracing its rise in the fourteenth century through to the latter half of the sixteenth. It offers detailed accounts of major battles and sieges, with a particular focus on conflicts against European powers.
Captivity and Enslavement in the Late Medieval Aegean, with Alasdair Grant
A conversation with Alasdair Grant about the captivity and enslavement that many Greeks (Romaioi) experienced in the late medieval period, a period of state collapse during which they were subject to Italian and Turkish raids and attacks.
Medieval Rules for Jousting
Explore the medieval rules of jousting established by King Alfonso XI of Castile in 1330, offering a rare glimpse into how knights were judged in tournament combat.
Strategic Rivals: How England and France Waged War in the High Middle Ages
How medieval kings like William the Conqueror, Henry II, and Philip II used strategy, diplomacy, and finance to wage war and build power across England and France.
The Medieval Church as a Military Power
Discover how the medieval Church emerged as a major military power, mobilizing secular armies, launching crusades, and creating unique warrior-monks through the military religious orders.
“I Shall Tell You of Fair Grace”: John Page and the Siege of Rouen
The harrowing events of the 1418 Siege of Rouen, as depicted in a medieval eyewitness poem, serve as the inspiration for the Soldier of Fortune novels, where John Page becomes a soldier, outlaw, and reluctant hero.
New Medieval Books: Documenting Warfare
Administrative records offer a lot of insights into the Hundred Years’ War. This collection of 18 articles tells us about a wide range of topics, from ransoms to crimes on campaign.
Evolving English Strategies during the Viking Wars
Alfred’s success was based on his ability to plan strategically on a grand scale, and that Æthelred II’s failure was due, at least in part, to his and his advisors’ inability to develop a coherent strategy against a similar threat.
The Sword in the Stone and Other Legendary Blades of the Middle Ages
Explore medieval swords like Excalibur, Joyeuse, and Durendal, where legend, miracle, and history meet in tales of power and mystery.
Timur the Lame’s Pyramids of Skulls: Terror as a Medieval Imperial Strategy
Discover how Timur the Lame used pyramids of human skulls to instil fear, crush resistance, and build a brutal medieval empire.
Female Spy Network Uncovered in Medieval Ypres, Study Finds
New research uncovers a hidden network of female spies and messengers in medieval Ypres, revealing how women played a crucial role in wartime intelligence during the Flemish revolt against Maximilian of Austria.
How Medieval Thinkers Justified War: From Augustine to Aquinas
Explore how war was understood in the Middle Ages through the ideas of Augustine and Aquinas, including just war theory, public vs. private violence, and the role of sin and political authority.
New Medieval Books: Muhammad’s Military Expeditions
Between 622 and 632, the early Muslim community became involved in a series of military conflicts with rival Arabian groups and the Byzantine Empire. This book examines the military history of these encounters, “emphasizing them as a series of tribal incursions rather than religious missions.”
De Valette’s Sword and Hat: New Evidence
A new study sheds light on the authenticity of Grand Master Jean de Valette’s sword and hat, revealing early written evidence and centuries of historical references to these iconic relics of the Great Siege of Malta.
The Twenty Medieval Sieges of Constantinople
Discover the twenty medieval sieges of Constantinople, from early attacks by Avars and Arabs to the city’s final fall in 1453.
The Seventh Crusade: New Research Reveals a Different Story
New research using Arabic sources to reveal a different story of the Seventh Crusade — one shaped by internal Ayyubid power struggles, political intrigue, and the rise of the Mamluks during Louis IX’s failed Egyptian campaign.
Were War Elephants Really Used During the Crusades?
Were war elephants actually used during the Crusades? Discover how history, art, and medieval imagination shaped Western perceptions of these towering beasts.
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.
