Teach Medieval

This podcast mini-series is inspired by Associate Professor Nicholas Morton ’s new book, The Crusader Storm: A Global History of the Wars for the Middle East . Rather than repeating the familiar Western-focused crusader narrative, Morton deliberately moves beyond it. Traditional histories often centre European perspectives, framing the Crusades primarily as a story of Western knights, kings, and r...

This podcast mini-series is inspired by Associate Professor Nicholas Morton ’s new book, The Crusader Storm: A Global History of the Wars for the Middle East . Rather than repeating the familiar Western-focused crusader narrative, Morton deliberately moves beyond it. Traditional histories often centre European perspectives, framing the Crusades primarily as a story of Western knights, kings, and r...

This podcast mini-series is inspired by Associate Professor Nicholas Morton ’s new book, The Crusader Storm: A Global History of the Wars for the Middle East . Rather than repeating the familiar Western-focused crusader narrative, Morton deliberately moves beyond it. Traditional histories often centre European perspectives, framing the Crusades primarily as a story of Western knights, kings, and r...

Step into one of the most dramatic and disastrous chapters of medieval history with our brand-new two-part podcast series on the Second Crusade. In Episode 1, we plunge into the story itself—from the shocking fall of Edessa in 1144 and the rallying cry across Europe to the march eastward of kings and humiliating defeat at the gates of Damascus. Then, in Episode 2, we go deeper, asking the big ques...

Step into one of the most dramatic and disastrous chapters of medieval history with our brand-new two-part podcast series on the Second Crusade. In Episode 1, we plunge into the story itself—from the shocking fall of Edessa in 1144 and the rallying cry across Europe to the march eastward of kings and humiliating defeat at the gates of Damascus. Then, in Episode 2, we go deeper, asking the big ques...

The early Islamic response to the First Crusade was deeply disunited, with rivalry, distrust and self-interest undermining all hope of any real cooperation. This lack of unity was a major factor in the Crusaders’ remarkable success, allowing them to seize territory and establish the states of Outremer. In this new mini-series, Dr Thomas Brosset explores the nature and extent of this early disunity...

The early Islamic response to the First Crusade was deeply disunited, with rivalry, distrust and self-interest undermining al hope of any real cooperation. This lack of unity was a major factor in the Crusaders’ remarkable success, allowing them to seize territory and establish the states of Outremer. In this new mini-series, Dr Thomas Brosset explores the nature and extent of this early disunity...

The Assassins and Templars are two of the most iconic and enigmatic groups associated with the medieval Near East to the point where, even today, myths continue to swirl around their very names and huge entertainment franchises such as Ubisoft's 'Assassin's Creed' are founded on their legacy. But behind the (admittedly thrilling) fantasy, what's the reality? What part did these two groups play in...

The Assassins and Templars are two of the most iconic and enigmatic groups associated with the medieval Near East to the point where, even today, myths continue to swirl around their very names and huge entertainment franchises such as Ubisoft's 'Assassin's Creed' are founded on their legacy. But behind the (admittedly thrilling) fantasy, what's the reality? What part did these two groups play in...

The Assassins and Templars are two of the most iconic and enigmatic groups associated with the medieval Near East to the point where, even today, myths continue to swirl around their very names and huge entertainment franchises such as Ubisoft's 'Assassin's Creed' are founded on their legacy. But behind the (admittedly thrilling) fantasy, what's the reality? What part did these two groups play in...

It is over 750 years since Simon de Montfort called his 1265 parliament. Is his failed revolution still worth talking about today? Did it even matter at the time? This episode part of a mini-series: Ep.1: What were the causes of the Second Barons' War? Ep.2: What were the events of the Second Barons' War? Ep.3: What is the significance of the Second Barons' War? This mini-series is based on: The S...

From 1264 to 1267, Henry III of England was at war with many of his barons. What form did this conflict take? And how, ultimately, did it end? This episode part of a mini-series: Ep.1: What were the causes of the Second Barons' War? Ep.2: What were the events of the Second Barons' War? Ep.3: What is the significance of the Second Barons' War? This mini-series is based on: The Song of Simon de Mont...

From 1264 to 1267, Henry III of England was at war with many of his barons. Why? What had gone wrong during Henry's reign to make so many of his barons and bishops so frustrated with his rule? This episode part of a mini-series: Ep.1: What were the causes of the Second Barons' War? Ep.2: What were the events of the Second Barons' War? Ep.3: What is the significance of the Second Barons' War? This...

In the decades immediately following the First Crusade, an isolated and outnumbered Frankish elite managed to establish four new states in the Levant. How were they able to do this? In this mini-series, Associate Professor Nicholas Morton explores the four main contributory factors. In this final episode, he considers the role played by the states' supporters abroad. Just how significant was it? &...

In the decades immediately following the First Crusade, an isolated and outnumbered Frankish elite managed to establish four new states in the Levant. How were they able to do this? In this mini-series, Associate Professor Nicholas Morton explores the four main contributory factors. In this third episode, he considers the role played by the leaders' political decision-making. Just how skilled were...

In the decades following the First Crusade, an isolated and outnumbered Frankish elite managed to establish four new states in the Levant. How were they able to do this? In this mini-series, Associate Professor Nicholas Morton explores the four main contributory factors. In this second episode, he considers the role played by their Muslim opponents’ disunity.   This episode is the second in a...

In the decades immediately following the First Crusade, an isolated and outnumbered Frankish elite managed to establish four new states in the Levant. How were they able to do this? In this new mini-series, Associate Professor Nicholas Morton explores the four main contributory factors. In this first episode, he considers the role played by the crusaders’ military skill.   This episode is the...

The First Crusade 1095-99 was an astonishing success against all the odds. Why? In this new mini-series, Dr Thomas W Smith explores the four main contributory factors one at a time and in substantial depth. In this fourth episode, he considers the part played by divisions within the Muslim world at the time. Did they play a crucial role? Or can they be overplayed?   This episode is the fourth...

The First Crusade 1095-99 was an astonishing success against all the odds. Why? In this new mini-series, Dr Thomas W Smith explores the four main contributory factors one at a time and in substantial depth. In this third episode, he considers the role played by the crusaders’ Byzantine allies. Has their contribution to the crusade’s ultimate success been underplayed?   This episode is the thi...

The First Crusade 1095-99 was an astonishing success against all the odds. Why? In this new mini-series, Dr Thomas W Smith explores the four main contributory factors one at a time and in substantial depth. In this second episode, he considers the role played by the crusaders’ religious fervour. Just how central was it to their inexorable progress and ultimate victory?   This episode is the s...

The First Crusade 1095-99 was an astonishing success against all the odds. Why? In this new mini-series, Dr Thomas W Smith explores the four main contributory factors one at a time and in substantial depth. In this first episode, he considers the role played by the crusaders’ martial prowess . Just how significant was it in their ultimate victory?   This episode is the first in a mini-series...

The four Crusader States established in the wake of the First Crusade survived remarkably well until their near total collapse following Saladin’s victory at the battle of Hattin in 1187. In this episode, Dr Steve Tibble discusses how the Crusader States desperately tried to cling to survival in the face of the rise of Saladin.   This episode is the sixth in a mini-series of six:   Ep.1:...

The four Crusader States established in the wake of the First Crusade survived remarkably well until their near total collapse following Saladin’s victory at the battle of Hattin in 1187. In this episode, Dr Steve Tibble discusses how the crusaders tried to capture Fatimid Egypt to their south, arguably their last shot at long-term survival.   This episode is the fifth in a mini-series of six...

The four Crusader States established in the wake of the First Crusade survived remarkably well until their near total collapse following Saladin’s victory at the battle of Hattin in 1187. In this episode, Dr Steve Tibble discusses how the crusaders tried to secure their states' survival by instituting a pragmatic approach to governance.   This episode is the fourth in a mini-series of six: &n...

The four Crusader States established in the wake of the First Crusade survived remarkably well until their near total collapse following Saladin’s victory at the battle of Hattin in 1187. In this episode, Dr Steve Tibble discusses how the crusaders tried to increase their states' chances of survival by capturing the inland urban centres of Edessa, Aleppo and Damascus ... with varying degrees of su...