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Bow and Blade

Medievalists.net

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

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23 episodes
Avg 1 hr 9 min
English

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#76
October 26 · 1 hr
The Battle of Murten (1476)
Charles the Bold once again faces the Swiss Confederation, this time at the Battle of Murten (also known as Morat). In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly explore the battle and explain how it ended in disaster for the Burgundians. You can listen to this episode ad-free on our Patreon - go to https://www.patreon.com/cw/medievalists
October 5 · 1 hr 10 min
Q&A #15 - Decisive Battles of the Middle Ages
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
#74
September 25 · 1 hr 5 min
The Battle of Campaldino (1289)
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
#73
August 17 · 1 hr 17 min
The Battle of Bosworth (1485)
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
#72
July 17 · 1 hr 16 min
The Battle of Formigny (1450)
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
#71
June 3 · 1 hr 5 min
The Battle of Hattin (1187)
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
#70
May 22 · 1 hr 6 min
Q&A #14: Why were Infantry Defeating Knights in Late Medieval Warfare
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
#69
May 12 · 1 hr 8 min
The Battle of Grandson (1476)
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
#68
April 7 · 1 hr 10 min
The Battle of Tours (732)
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
#67
February 6 · 1 hr 18 min
The Battle of Verneuil (1424)
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
#66
January 24 · 1 hr 4 min
The Battle of Dupplin Moor (1332)
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
#65
January 2 · 1 hr 5 min
Q&A #13: How Do You Write About Joan of Arc?
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
#64
Dec 26, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
The Siege of Montségur (1243-44)
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.
#63
Dec 17, 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
The Battle of Stirling Bridge (1297)
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
#62
Oct 14, 2025 · 1 hr 16 min
The Sieges of Rome (410 & 455)
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.
#61
Sep 15, 2025 · 1 hr 21 min
A Summer in Castles
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.
#60
Mar 31, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Q&A #12: How strong were gunpowder weapons in the Middle Ages?
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
#59
Mar 17, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
The Siege of Belgrade (1521)
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.
#58
Feb 26, 2025 · 1 hr 11 min
The Siege of Belgrade (1456)
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
#57
Jan 7, 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
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 www.patreon.com/medievalists

Showing 1–20 of 23 episodes