In this episode, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions, including: Which medieval sites should one visit in southern England and Wales? Was Gilles de Rais guilty of being a mass-murderer? How strong were gunpowder weapons in the Middle Ages? You can support this podcast, and listen to it ad-free, by joining our Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Mar 31, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 60
The Ottomans launch another siege against the city of Belgrade. In this episode of Bow & Blade , Kelly and Michael explore how Suleiman the Magnificent and his forces ultimately achieved victory. We have several new online courses starting up, including Medieval Warfare in the Middle East, Europe, and Central Asia with Nicholas Morton. Click here to see all our online courses on Thinkific ....
Mar 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 59
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. You can support this podcast on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Feb 26, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 58
Joan of Arc continues to put the English on the run. In this episode of Bow and Blade , Kelly and Michael examine this battle from the Hundred Years' War and how big a factor the Maid of Orleans was in this French victory. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to www.patreon.com/medievalists
Jan 07, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 57
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. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 56
In this episode, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions, including: When did jousting and tournaments become irrelevant to training for warfare (and become more of a professional sport)? How much training did medieval soldiers have? How were soldiers selected for the various roles in the military? How can one have a career in medieval studies? You can support this podcast, and listen to it ad-free, by joining our Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 6 min
At the beginning of the 15th century, Owain Glyndŵr would lead a Welsh rebellion against King Henry IV of England. One of the key moments of the war would take place at Bryn Glas. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Aug 27, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 154
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. You can support this podcast on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Jul 09, 2024•54 min•Ep. 53
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. You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Jun 18, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 52
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.
May 21, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 51
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). You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
May 06, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 50
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. You can support this podcast on Patreon. - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 49
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. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Apr 05, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 48
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. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Mar 07, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 47
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. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 46
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? You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Feb 13, 2024•58 min
In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly take another look at this important battle from the Hundred Years' War. How do a visit to the battlefield and the writings of an Italian chronicler change their views on how Edward the Black Prince gained his victory? You can help support this podcast on Patreon - go to www.patreon.com/medievalists
Feb 06, 2024•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 44
In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly look at how the imperial army of Frederick Barbarossa and a Milanese force suddenly encountered each other in northern Italy. How would this battle change the Holy Roman Empire's plans for Italian conquest? You can support this podcast on Patreon. Go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Jan 24, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 43
It is a clash between Viking kings, as Harald Hardrada of Norway faces off against Sweyn II of Denmark. In this episode of Bow & Blade , Michael and Kelly discuss this naval battle and how it was told by the Icelandic writer Snorri Sturluson. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Jan 10, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 42
The most famous battle in Scottish history took place at Bannockburn in 1314. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries examine how Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, was able to defeat the English led by King Edward II. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Dec 21, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 41
In their eighth Q&A, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions, including who were the almost famous leaders of the Middle Ages, the importance of languages for medievalists, and their favourite battle sites. You can support this podcast on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Dec 05, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 40
Philip Augustus, King of France, faced off against an alliance that included the Holy Roman Emperor, the King of England, and the leading nobles of the Low Countries. In this episode of Bow & Blade , Michael and Kelly discuss this important battle and how it changes Western Europe. You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Nov 21, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 39
One of the epic clashes between England and France during the Hundred Years' War, Michael and Kelly discuss the Battle of Agincourt. It's perfect timing too, as Michael. Livingston has just released his new book: Agincourt: Battle of the Scarred King, from Osprey Publishing - https://www.ospreypublishing.com/uk/agincourt-9781472855206/ You can also support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 38
In what could be considered the first battle of the Middle Ages, the Roman Emperor Valens goes to war against the Goths in southeastern Europe. In this episode of Bow & Blade , Michael and Kelly talk about the battle and why the Romans suffered such a massive defeat. You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Oct 24, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 37
Michael and Kelly are joined by Nicholas Morton, author of The Mongol Storm , to discuss how Chinggis Khan and the Mongols were able to use their military power to conquer large parts of the world in the 13th century. You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Oct 10, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 36
It is the seventh Q&A episode of Bow & Blade, with Michael and Kelly answering listener questions. Here they talk about the women defending castles, the Italian banks supporting Edward III, mustering troops from specific regions, Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), and where were the windmills in the Middle Ages. You can help support this podcast through Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 35
Castile goes to war against Portugal, hoping to take over this kingdom. The English and the French even take sides in this conflict, which culminates at Aljubarrota. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss the battle, where we have a lot of good sources and brilliant military tactics. If you like this podcast and Medievalists.net, we would love your support us on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Sep 26, 2023•1 hr•Ep. 34
The Hundred Years' War goes to Gascony, as the English and French do battle at Castillon. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about why the English commander John Talbot made such a tragic mistake in attacking the French camp. If you like this podcast and want to support Medievalists.net, please do so at Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Sep 19, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 33
When the citizens of Liege go into revolt, they believe that they can fend off the armies of the nobles. Then they go up against John the Fearless and his professionally-trained Burgundian forces. In this episode of Bow & Blade , Michael and Kelly look at a local conflict that took place in present-day Belgium. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 32
A live recording of Bow and Blade from the International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds. In this lighthearted episode with lots of audience participation, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer questions about the Hundred Years' War, battlefields, and why William Wallace is a bad guy. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists
Jul 09, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 31