Bow and Blade

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

The Battle of Patay (1429) 01/07/2025

The Battle of Patay (1429) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/34758960

The Battle of Lewes (1264) 11/26/2024

The Battle of Lewes (1264) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/34149025

Q&A #11: When Did Jousting Become Obsolete? 09/25/2024

Q&A #11: When Did Jousting Become Obsolete? 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/33205457

The Battle of Bryn Glas (1402) 08/27/2024

The Battle of Bryn Glas (1402) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/32765412

The Battle of Ankara (1402) 07/09/2024

The Battle of Ankara (1402) 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 - /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/32070872

The Weardale Campaign (1327) 06/18/2024

The Weardale Campaign (1327) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/31789627

The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212) 05/21/2024

The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212) 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. /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/31408122

Q&A #10: How did weather impact medieval battles? 05/06/2024

Q&A #10: How did weather impact medieval battles? 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/31147703

The Siege of Constantinople (1453) 04/16/2024

The Siege of Constantinople (1453) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/30849678

The Battle of Halidon Hill (1333) 04/05/2024

The Battle of Halidon Hill (1333) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/30705758

The Battles of Thermopylae 03/07/2024

The Battles of Thermopylae 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/30274908

The Battle of Edington (878) 02/20/2024

The Battle of Edington (878) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/30036943

Q&A #9: What is a medieval battleline? 02/13/2024

Q&A #9: What is a medieval battleline? 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/29936028

The Battle of Poitiers (1356) 02/06/2024

The Battle of Poitiers (1356) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/29825643

The Battle of Legnano (1176) 01/24/2024

The Battle of Legnano (1176) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/29628113

The Battle of Nisa (1062) 01/10/2024

The Battle of Nisa (1062) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/29422963

The Battle of Bannockburn (1314) 12/21/2023

The Battle of Bannockburn (1314) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/29179263

Q&A #8: Who were the Unsung and Oversung Heroes of the Middle Ages? 12/05/2023

Q&A #8: Who were the Unsung and Oversung Heroes of the Middle Ages? 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 - /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/28941473

The Battle of Bouvines (1214) 11/21/2023

The Battle of Bouvines (1214) 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 - /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/28741998

The Battle of Agincourt (1415) 11/07/2023

The Battle of Agincourt (1415) 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 - You can also support this podcast on Patreon - go to /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/28539650

The Battle of Adrianople (378) 10/24/2023

The Battle of Adrianople (378) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/28411562

The Mongols 10/10/2023

The Mongols 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/28276556

Q&A #7: Did Women defend Castles? 10/03/2023

Q&A #7: Did Women defend Castles? 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/28207280

The Battle of Aljubarrota (1385) 09/26/2023

The Battle of Aljubarrota (1385) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/28142555

The Battle of Castillon (1453) 09/19/2023

The Battle of Castillon (1453) 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: /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/28082037

The Battle of Othée (1408) 08/07/2023

The Battle of Othée (1408) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/27683742

Bow and Blade Live! 07/09/2023

Bow and Blade Live! 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/27413943

Q&A #6: How does a man-at-arms become a mercenary? 06/26/2023

Q&A #6: How does a man-at-arms become a mercenary? 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/27264483

Siege of Tournai (1340) 05/17/2023

Siege of Tournai (1340) 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 Patreon - go to /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/26869683

Battle of Roncevaux Pass (778) 04/26/2023

Battle of Roncevaux Pass (778) 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 /episode/index/show/bowandblade/id/26665311

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