Bow and Blade

Episoade

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  Q&A #15 - Decisive Battles of the Middle Ages 05.10.2026 1h 10min

  This episode of Bow & Blade was recorded live at the 2026 International Medieval Congress at the University of Leeds. Kelly and Michael answer questions including was Agincourt the most decisive battle of the period, what battle do they find most useful to teach, and who was the most effective general of the Middle Ages? You can listen to these episodes ad-free on Medievalists.net Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalists  
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  The Battle of Campaldino (1289) 25.09.2026 1h 5min

  Florence and its allies faced the forces of Arezzo in one of the most important battles of medieval Tuscany. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss the Battle of Campaldino and the fighting that brought Dante Alighieri onto the battlefield. Brought to you by Medievalists.net
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  The Battle of Bosworth (1485) 17.08.2026 1h 17min

  King Richard III faces Henry Tudor in one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss the Battle of Bosworth and how the identification of its battlefield has offered new insights into how the fighting unfolded. You can support this podcast on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalists
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  The Battle of Formigny (1450) 17.07.2026 1h 16min

  As the Hundred Years' War entered its final chapter, England and France fought for control of Normandy. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly examine the road to the Battle of Formigny and its decisive impact on the war. You can support this podcast and Medievalists.net on Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalists
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  The Battle of Hattin (1187) 03.06.2026 1h 5min

  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/medievalists
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  Q&A #14: Why were Infantry Defeating Knights in Late Medieval Warfare 22.05.2026 1h 6min

  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
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  The Battle of Grandson (1476) 12.05.2026 1h 8min

  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
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  The Battle of Tours (732) 07.04.2026 1h 10min

  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
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  The Battle of Verneuil (1424) 06.02.2026 1h 18min

  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
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  The Battle of Dupplin Moor (1332) 24.01.2026 1h 4min

  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
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  Q&A #13: How Do You Write About Joan of Arc? 02.01.2026 1h 5min

  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
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  The Siege of Montségur (1243-44) 26.12.2025 1h 4min

  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.
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  The Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297) 17.12.2025 1h 4min

  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
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  The Sieges of Rome (410 & 455) 14.10.2025 1h 16min

  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.
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  A Summer in Castles 15.09.2025 1h 21min

  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 Armouries.  Michael Livingston teaches at The Citadel and is the author of numerous books on medieval history as well as fiction novels.
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  Q&A #12: How strong were gunpowder weapons in the Middle Ages? 31.03.2025 1h 2min

  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    
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  The Siege of Belgrade (1521) 17.03.2025 1h 2min

  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.
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  The Siege of Belgrade (1456) 26.02.2025 1h 11min

  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
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  The Battle of Patay (1429) 07.01.2025 1h 7min

  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
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  The Battle of Lewes (1264) 26.11.2024 1h 12min

  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