Medievalists.net

Bow and Blade

History EN ↓ 71 episodes

Medieval warfare with Kelly DeVries and Michael Livingston - talking about battles, sieges, and military history in the Middle Ages.

Author

Medievalists.net

Category

History

Podcast website

bowandblade.libsyn.com

Latest episode

Jun 3, 2026

Where to listen?

Podcasts in the app Replaio Radio Coming soon

Podcasts are coming to the app soon. Install now and be the first to see a whole new take on podcasts

Get it on Google Play Install for free Android 5M+ downloads · 4.8 rating iOS soon

Episodes

The Battle of Edington (878) 20.02.2024

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

Q&A #9: What is a medieval battleline? 13.02.2024

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

The Battle of Poitiers (1356) 06.02.2024

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

The Battle of Legnano (1176) 24.01.2024

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

The Battle of Nisa (1062) 10.01.2024

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

The Battle of Bannockburn (1314) 21.12.2023

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

Q&A #8: Who were the Unsung and Oversung Heroes of the Middle Ages? 05.12.2023

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

The Battle of Bouvines (1214) 21.11.2023

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 

The Battle of Agincourt (1415) 07.11.2023

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:/...

The Battle of Adrianople (378) 24.10.2023

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

The Mongols 10.10.2023

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

Q&A #7: Did Women defend Castles? 03.10.2023

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...

The Battle of Aljubarrota (1385) 26.09.2023

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...

The Battle of Castillon (1453) 19.09.2023

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

The Battle of Othée (1408) 07.08.2023

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

Bow and Blade Live! 09.07.2023

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

Q&A #6: How does a man-at-arms become a mercenary? 26.06.2023

Michael and Kelly answer your questions in this somewhat abbreviated edition of Bow & Blade. Topics include the Ottoman siege of Rhodes, reading Vegetius on campaign, and historical fiction. You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Siege of Tournai (1340) 17.05.2023

After his victory at the Battle of Sluys, Edward III leads a coalition of England, Flanders, Hainaut, Brabant and the Holy Roman Empire against the French city of Tournai. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries tell us about a siege involving complex alliances, starvation and the money problems of a medieval ruler. You can support this podcast on the Medievalists.net...

Battle of Roncevaux Pass (778) 26.04.2023

On August 15, 778, the forces of Charlemagne find themselves in battle with the Basques. Many years later, this encounter inspired a famous story known as the Song of Roland . In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries discuss the historical and the legendary when it comes to this battle. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

The Battle of Sluys (1340) 03.04.2023

In the early stages of the Hundred Years' War, the English and French naval forces fight a battle just off the coast of Flanders. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries examine the battle and its impact on the war and region. You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

The Battle of Falkirk (1298) 21.03.2023

William Wallace comes up against King Edward I in a fight for Scotland. Will the battle be like what you see in the movie Braveheart ? This episode of Bow & Blade has Michael and Kelly looking at the English-Scottish wars of the late 13th century. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

Q&A #5: Why was 11th-century England so conquerable? 06.03.2023

The fifth Q&A episode of Bow and Blade. Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions. Topics include: Kings on the battlefield, Brunanburh, Richard III, raids from Iberia, and who would be the medieval person to share a drink with. If you want to support this podcast and Medievalists.net, you can do so on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

The Siege of Acre (1291) 20.02.2023

It's the event marking the end of the Crusader States in the Near East. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about how the Mamluks conquered the city of Acre in 1291.  You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

The Battle of Poitiers (1356) 06.02.2023

England and France are again battling it out in this episode of Bow & Blade. Michael and Kelly focus on this battle from the Hundred Years' War, where Edward the Black Prince would face off against King John II.  You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/medievalists

The Battle of the Milvian Bridge (312) 13.12.2022

One of the most important battles within the Roman Empire, the Battle of the Milvian Bridge is also famous as a defining moment in Christian history. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly examine how Emperor Constantine I defeated his rival Maxentius on 28 October 312. 

Listen to the Bow and Blade podcast in Replaio

Radio and podcasts in one app - free, with no sign-up. Install today and do not miss the launch

Get it on Google Play

Replaio is not a podcast publisher; show names, artwork and audio belong to their authors and are distributed through public RSS feeds.