Feudalism in Anglo-Saxon England

Medieval! Extras goes live on 20 May! Vote on video/episode topics at medievalextras.com, and subscribe to our podcast so you don’t miss the launch! “There is a stinking, clamorous atmosphere hanging over the town here, itself heaving with life, oozing out of all wooden and stone structures. Every road is overrun by a mob of […]

Background to the Anglo-Saxon Migration

Please help us make more episodes! http://www.patreon.com/medievalpodcast In the mid-5th century, a new wave of migrants appeared in Britain from across the Channel. The Anglo-Saxons were well-cultured, sophisticated and determined. But what were these often-misunderstood invaders looking for in the rainy hills, fields and crags of Britannia? Research & Writing: Joshua Potts Voice: Bill Odman […]

“Men of Long Beards” – Lombard Kingdom (Part 1)

Europe’s next big shark – hungry for territory, proud of its past victories, and in search of a new homeland – comes to dominate Italia, taking swift advantage of its abysmal state and critical power vacuum. They were the Lombards, from “lango” and “barba” – the men with long beards. In half a decade, under […]

Saxons Introduction

In 410 AD, with the last remaining Roman legions being called to defend the mainland against Germanic invaders, Emperor Honorius advised the people of Britain to “look to their own defenses”, a statement which effectively ended the island’s connection to the Roman empire. In the power vacuum that ensued, Britain was left divided and in […]

Justinian’s Reconquest (535-554 AD)

Get Bonus Episodes: http://www.patreon.com/medievalpodcast It was one of the greatest deeds in the history of the Roman Empire – the glorious but brief restoration of the Western Roman provinces, the capture of Rome, and the series of month-long sieges in order to take back major Italian cities. From 535 to 554 AD, the Byzantines and […]

France’s Great Ancestor

In this episode, find out about the great founder of modern France, his mysterious life and where the kingdom of the Franks came from. Dedicated to Jess Gibler, thanks for supporting Medieval! http://www.patreon.com/medievalpodcast Research and Writing – Joshua Potts Music – Alexander Nakarado

(REMADE!) Fall of Rome

Help us make (and remake!) more episodes – http://www.patreon.com/medievalpodcast This episode was reproduced on the 27th of April 2020. No longer will the SPQR flag dominate Europe as the enforcer of peace and civilisation. Rome is about to witness its own gory demise, drawn out over more than two centuries and fraught with barbarian incursions, […]

Drawing a sword from your back? Nonsense.

We’ve seen it all, in movies, books, exaggerated but unhistoric illustrations and oftentimes our imaginations. But the question is, did swordsmen ever really pull a sword from a back scabbard, and how practical would it have been to carry your weapon out of your view – and potentially out of your reach?

Stop using a diary, start using this war journal

Hello, second episode of “Reviewing History Products”! It is thanks to my kind donor, James at History Gear, that I am able to continue doing these; he has sent me a package of different things to inspect and write upon. I’ve had a look at what has arrived, and it’s fair to say that I’m […]

Hoardes Of 17th Century Cannonballs Found In Stockholm

Archaeologists excavating around Stockholm in Sweden stumbled upon a treasure trove of various military equipment, including “hundreds” of cannonballs dating back to the great age of Newton, Elizabeth I and Bach. Credit: Archaeology Mag

Medieval Battle Simulator iOS First Try

Untold Terror – Attack on Pearl Harbor, 1941

At nearly eight on the calm Sunday morning of 7th December 1941, the first of over three hundred Japanese bombers approached the US Pacific Naval Base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Within long, the surrounding area was dive-bombed, strafed and ships destroyed as part of a surprise aircraft and submarine attack. The cause of this ambush culminated […]

How to build a medieval castle

Castles were impressive structures by nearly all definitions and a key aspect of medieval society. They served as miniature administrative offices, defensive positions and markers of realms. How they were built is truly astonishing, and required huge amounts of manual, human labour without necessarily advanced measuring equipment or machinery.

Top Ten Most Tragic Battles That Changed History Forever

Any blunder in war, big or small, is bound to fine tune our perception of fighting forever, but it is the greatest upsets in military history that truly turn the world in an entirely new direction. Furious encounters like the Battle of Stalingrad and nation-changing conflicts such as the Battle of Hastings will be remembered […]