The Medieval Origins of Military Chaplaincy
How medieval armies developed military chaplaincy, from Constantine’s bishops to Ireland’s repeatable confession and the Carolingian reforms that put priests on campaign across Western Europe.
New Medieval Books: Assassins and Templars
When it comes to the crusading era, few groups have been more mythologised than the Knights Templar and the Ismailis—often labelled the “Assassins.” This book takes a fresh look at both, showing not only how their histories have been shaped by legend, but also how—and why—they could resemble each other in surprising ways.
Cartier and the Lost Crusader Sword
Louis J. Cartier discovered a medieval sword pommel in a Damascus bazaar in the 1920s—an artefact later identified as belonging to crusader Peter of Dreux. Now at The Met, the object offers a rare, personal link to the Seventh Crusade and its leading French nobles.
The Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297)
In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly examine the Battle of Stirling Bridge in Scotland as a clear example of poor generalship. Focusing on the English command’s mistakes, they explore how underestimating William Wallace and the Scottish forces led to disastrous decisions over terrain and timing.
Medieval Mystery of Brunanburh Battle May Be Solved, New Study Argues
A long-running debate over the location of one of the most important battles fought in medieval England may finally be nearing an answer. A new study argues that the Battle of Brunanburh, fought in 937, took place at Bromborough on the Wirral, bringing fresh clarity to a question that has occupied historians for more than a century.
Assassins and Templars at War – Ambushes and Ambassadors
A dramatic ambush derailed a potential alliance between the Crusaders and the Assassins, plunging the Kingdom of Jerusalem into crisis. This article explores the negotiations, the killing of the Nizari envoy and the political fallout that followed.
Rebuilding the Higgins Collection: Successes, Surprises, and What’s Still Missing
The Higgins Collection—one of America’s most distinctive assemblies of arms and armor—has finally reopened to the public at the Worcester Art Museum. Its new galleries offer flashes of the old museum’s spirit, along with choices that may surprise longtime admirers.
How Medieval Soldiers Profited from War under Edward I
Medieval soldiers in Edward I’s armies often turned warfare into a source of income, creating a new class of mounted military entrepreneurs.
The Impalings of Vlad the Impaler
One of the most infamous characters from the Middle Ages was Vlad III Dracula, the prince of Wallachia. Here is the story of how he gained the nickname of ‘the Impaler’.
The Medieval Order of Assassins with Steve Tibble
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about who the Assassins were, what tactics they used in the Middle Ages, and what this legendary order stood for.
Le Boucicaut: A Medieval French Marshal in Byzantium
Explore the remarkable journey of Boucicaut, the medieval French marshal whose 1399–1400 expedition to Byzantium placed him at the centre of crusading politics and Ottoman-Byzantine conflict
All for the Want of a Warhorse: Horse Breeding and Royal Warfare in Thirteenth-Century England
Edward I responded to England’s medieval warhorse shortage with export bans, foreign purchases, and an expanded royal stud system. His policies show how crucial trained warhorses were to military campaigns in Wales, Scotland, and on the Continent.
What Do Economists and Assassins Have in Common?
An examination of the economic pressures behind the medieval Assassins, from costly fortresses to the financial realities that influenced their role as hired killers.
How a Medieval Sect Built a Mountain Stronghold in Syria
Discover how a persecuted sect known as the Assassins transformed remote Syrian fortresses into the centre of a medieval mountain state—blending diplomacy, strategy, and fortification to secure their survival.
Logistics and “Paperwork” in Early Medieval Warfare
Discover how early medieval rulers like Charlemagne organized their wars through meticulous planning and record-keeping, revealing a sophisticated logistical system that kept their armies supplied and ready for campaign.
The Two Hundred Years’ War with Michael Livingston
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Michael Livingston about why the Hundred Years’ War should actually be called the Two Hundred Years’ War, what actually touched off the conflict, and why we should question everything.
The Sieges of Rome (410 & 455) – Bow & Blade, Episode 62
As the Eternal City’s power waned, enemies closed in. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly delve into two devastating sieges of Rome — one led by the Goths, the other by the Vandals.
The Men Who Fought with King Harold at Hastings
When Harold Godwinson marched to Hastings on 14 October 1066 he brought with him thousands of men. Who were these warriors and why did they fight on behalf of their king?
When the Assassins Came to Aleppo
Learn how Ridwan of Aleppo allied with the Assassins, allowing them to spread their influence and carry out their first missions in medieval Syria.
10 Medieval Weapons That Changed the Course of the Middle Ages
Discover 10 iconic medieval weapons — from swords and longbows to trebuchets and Greek Fire — that shaped battles, toppled castles, and transformed warfare in the Middle Ages.
Fear and Loathing in Lebanon – Assassins, Templars and the World’s Most Toxic Landlord-Tenant Relationship
On the volatile crusader frontier of Tripoli, the Templars became the new “landlords,” taking over castles and villages to defend Christendom. Their unwilling neighbours—the Nizari Assassins—responded with a century of assassinations, raids, and uneasy tribute in one of history’s most toxic landlord-tenant relationships.
Writing a World History of Warfare
A behind-the-scenes look at writing Warfare in the Global Middle Ages by one of its co-authors.
How to Be a Medieval Hitman – What It Took to Be an Assassin Fidais
The medieval Assassin fidais were elite Nizari killers whose fearsome reputation blended myth, legend and the stark reality of their missions.
New Medieval Books: Routledge Handbook of Medieval Military Strategy
This collection of 31 essays sheds light on the strategies and tactics of a wide range of medieval states and kingdoms. As a truly global history, it brings attention to subjects often overlooked by military historians.