Bow and Blade

One of the pivotal battles of the Crusades, the Battle of Hattin was shaped by both brilliant strategy and disastrous decisions. In this episode of Bow & Blade , Michael and Kelly explore how Saladin orchestrated a crushing defeat of the Crusader army, while also sharing insights into the film Kingdom of Heaven . You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalis...

In the latest Q&A episode of Bow & Blade , Michael and Kelly answer questions about infantry vs cavalry in late medieval battles, will there be archaeological excavations at Hundred Years' War battlefields, favourite centuries and what our hosts will be doing this summer. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalists

Charles the Bold was building his Duchy of Burgundy into a European power when he faced the Old Swiss Confederacy. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about the Battle of Grandson, a key event of the Burgundian Wars. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalists

Though often regarded as one of the most important battles of the Middle Ages, the Battle of Tours remains shrouded in uncertainty. In this episode of Bow & Blade , Michael and Kelly explore the limited evidence to uncover where the battle may have been fought and what might have taken place there. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalists

After Henry V's death, the Hundred Years' War flares back to life as a Franco-Scottish army confronts the English in Normandy. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly dig into the Battle of Verneuil—one of the war's bloodiest clashes—and why it mattered. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalists

Scotland's in turmoil in the 1330s—and Edward III spots an opening. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly break down the Battle of Dupplin Moor, where tactics, terrain, and timing turn chaos into catastrophe. You can support this podcast on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

In the latest Q&A episode of Bow & Blade , Michael and Kelly tackle listener questions on Joan of Arc, standout new books on medieval warfare, and whether Richard III really killed the Princes in the Tower. You can support this podcast and listen to it ad-free on Medievalists.net's Patreon  - https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

In this episode of Bow & Blade , the Michael and Kelly head to the Pyrenean stronghold of Montségur to unpack the dramatic siege that brought the Cathar refuge to its end. They explore how faith, politics, and military pressure collided on the mountain—and what the fall of Montségur meant for the wider Albigensian Crusade.

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. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

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.

In this episode of the podcast, Michael and Kelly let us know where they have been the last few months - and this includes going to a lot of medieval castles and cities. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists Bow & Blade is hosted by  Kelly DeVries is an Emeritus Professor at Loyola University in Maryland and Honorary Historical Consultant at the Royal...

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    

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 .

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

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

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  

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...

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

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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