Medieval Warfare

Following the fall of Rome, the sea is increasingly the stage upon which the human struggle of western civilization is played out. In a world of few roads and great disorder, the sea is the medium on which power is projected and wealth sought. Yet this confused period in the history of maritime warfare has rarely been studied; it is little known and even less understood. Charles Stanton uses an innovative and involving approach to describe this fascinating but neglected facet of European medieval history.  

This richly detailed and dramatic account takes listeners deep into the heart of feudal conflict—from the roar of charging cavalry to the silence before a siege. Whether you're a student of history, a fan of epic warfare, or simply curious about how medieval people fought, survived, and conquered, this book delivers a vivid and immersive journey.

The 10 enlightening (and often humorous) lectures of Medieval Myths and Mysteries will show you how far from the “dark” times of legend these centuries were. Uncover the facts about the Knights Templar. Reveal the truth behind the tales of legendary creatures like the Questing Beast and the unicorn. Trace the events of the Black Death and the ways it altered the world in its wake, and much more. With Professor Armstrong, you will dig deep into the ways that later generations reshaped the narrative of the medieval years and perpetuated the myths.

Medieval manuscripts can tell us much about power and art, knowledge and beauty. Many have survived because of an author’s status - part of the reason we have so much of Chaucer’s writing, for example, is because he was a London-based government official first and a poet second.

As a child, he was given his own suit of armor; at the age of 16, he helped defeat the French at Crecy. At Poitiers, in 1356, his victory over King John II of France forced the French into a humiliating surrender that marked the zenith of England's dominance in the Hundred Years War. As lord of Aquitaine, he ruled a vast swathe of territory across the west and southwest of France, holding a magnificent court at Bordeaux that mesmerized the brave but unruly Gascon nobility. He was Edward of Woodstock, eldest son of Edward III, and better known to posterity as "the Black Prince".

In the time period between the fall of Rome and the spread of the Renaissance across the European continent, many of today's European nations were formed, the Catholic Church rose to great prominence, some of history's most famous wars occurred, and a social class system was instituted that lasted over 1,000 years.

Medieval knights were like armoured tanks in combat. They often made quick work of their enemies. They may not have realized it, but they owed their success to science. Learn how science helped medieval knights win victory!

The 15th century saw the longest and bloodiest series of civil wars in British history. The crown of England changed hands five times as two branches of the Plantagenet dynasty fought to the death for the right to rule. Now, celebrated historian Dan Jones describes how the longest reigning British royal family tore itself apart until it was finally replaced by the Tudors. Some of the greatest heroes and villains in history were thrown together in these turbulent times.

From the schism between Rome and Constantinople to the rise of the T'ang Dynasty, from the birth of Muhammad to the crowning of Charlemagne, this erudite book tells the fascinating, often violent story of kings, generals, and the peoples they ruled.

The walls of Acre hold the key to Jerusalem. In the sweltering summer of 1191, as Christian armies lay siege to the city, three lives collide in a story that will reshape their understanding of faith, duty, and the true cost of holy war. Sir Alaric of Normandy arrives in the Holy Land, burning with zeal, certain of the Crusader cause’s righteousness. But his convictions begin to waver when he encounters unexpected compassion among those he was taught to hate. As the brutality of siege warfare tests his faith, he must choose between his vows as a knight and the growing truth in his heart. ...

A weary knight, a sacred goal, and a brutal march through blood and betrayal. In the aftermath of Acre’s brutal siege, Sir Alaric of Normandy faces a new trial: the unforgiving road to Jerusalem. Torn between duty to his king, the haunting echoes of past violence, and whispers of doubt, Alaric must lead his men through a landscape as treacherous as the enemies lurking in the shadows. As King Richard’s army marches onward, Saladin’s forces wage a silent war—poisoning wells, scorching earth, and letting the desert claim its victims. Amid this chaos, Alaric finds an unlikely ally in ...

The Viking army is about to face its greatest challenge, the Kingdom of Wessex. King Æthelred and his brother Alfred are determined to wage war to the death. The Great Viking Army has conquered Northumbria and East Anglia. Two English kingdoms remain independent, Mercia and Wessex. The sons of Ragnar, leaders of the army, must decide which to attack next. Leif Ormson, once Skald to Ivar the Boneless, has now been made a jarl. He is a reluctant warrior and is grateful and relieved when he is given rich lands in which to live in peace and prosperity. But the Vikings’ relentless lust for ...

This book offers a high level overview of warfare throughout the ages, providing concise summaries of the various aspects of weaponry and tactics employed throughout each historic period. The book covers the origins of war during the neolithic age, warfare among ancient societies, the transitions within the nature of warfare throughout the medieval period, the development of firearms through the gunpowder age, and the major classes of weaponry employed in modern warfare. The discussions are Eurocentric, recognizing that other regions around the world tended toward following similar patterns...

This is a book about how medieval weapons were used, according to medieval people who used them. It discusses the use of eight weapons or weapon combinations from the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance, selected with an eye toward their iconic status in popular culture, as well as five different combative contexts. The aim of this book is to familiarize the listener with the use of medieval weaponry in a general way. It is not a how-to book on martial arts, but the listener will come away with a fresh appreciation for the sophistication of medieval fencing.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The remaster of Forlorn Raider Book 1, Genesis: Lightfall is live as of August 2025. I've worked hard on this rework, so I hope you enjoy the additional content! Series Overview: Expecting things to be harsh due to known issues, such as poor leadership, combating demon aggressors, and solving supply chain issues, General Raider has found himself in much more dire straits than he could have ever anticipated after his recent graduation from the Royal Military Academy. He has been thrust into a high-ranking military position that has pressure mounting from all sides. Raider must...

The Duchy of Winterhaven lies at the edge of human civilization. There, Great Lords scheme to expand their borders and take control of the dukedom. Meanwhile the young knight Dhrugal of Edgefield investigates a most unusual murder, little suspecting how this gruesome crime links to a much greater threat. A decade of relative peace is about to collapse, and only Dhrugal and his brothers and sister stand between Winterhaven and dark-spun chaos.

The creator of the hit podcast series Tides of History and Fall of Rome explores the four explosive decades between 1490 and 1530, bringing to life the dramatic and deeply human story of how the West was reborn. In the bestselling tradition of The Swerve and A Distant Mirror, The Verge tells the...

If you've always wanted to unlock the secrets of the medieval world but endless dry textbooks have left you bored and overwhelmed, then keep reading… Are you sick and tired of history feeling like a chore — dates, names, and battles blurring into one forgettable mess? Have you tried documentaries, academic journals, and dusty encyclopedias but nothing seems to bring the medieval world truly alive? You see, discovering the most explosive, dramatic, and world-shaping era in human history doesn't have to be difficult. Even if you failed history class or think medieval history is "not for ...

For many, the medieval world seems dark and foreign - a miraculous, brutal, and irrational time of superstition and strange relics. The pursuit of heretics, the Inquisition, the Crusades, and the domination of the "Holy Land" come to mind.

Brought to you by Penguin. This Penguin Classic is performed by David Sibley, best known for Henry V, War & Peace and Silent Witness. This definitive recording is translated by, and includes an introduction by Gwyneth Lewis and Rowan William. Taliesin's is one of the most important names in all...