This post will focus mostly on the bow and arrow from the time of the Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, and Normans. The English longbow is a completely separate discussion. The Anglo-Saxons primarily used the bow for hunting. It is less frequently mentioned as being employed during battle, though according to one source,… Read More »The Medieval Bow and Arrow
On this date, March 4, in medieval history: 1152 – Frederick I Barbarossa is elected King of Germany 1193 – Saladin dies 1394 – The birth of Prince Henry the Navigator 1461 – Edward IV ascends to the English throne
On this day, February 17, in medieval history: 1461 – The Second Battle of St. Albans: One of the battles fought during the Wars of the Roses. On this particular day, the Lancastrian army led by the Queen Margaret of Anjou defeated the Yorkist faction led by the Earl of Warwick.… Read More »Today in Medieval History, February 17
Sword Song: The Battle for London (Saxon Stories Book #4) by Bernard Cornwell Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Harper Paperbacks; Reprint edition (December 23, 2008) ISBN-10: 0061379743 Sword Song is the fourth book in Bernard Cornwell’s Saxon series. This series is becoming one of my favorites of all time. The third… Read More »Review of Sword Song by Bernard Cornwell
The Angevin dynasty was established in the county of Anjou, France. In the 12th century, the dynasty ascended to the English throne under Henry II as a result of the marriage of Geoffrey of Anjou to Maltida, daughter of Henry I. King Henry II’s descendants became the Platagenets, and the… Read More »The Angevin Dynasty
As one of the most recognizable religious buildings in England, Tewkesbury Abbey stands along the river Avon on a site possibly once occupied by an 8th century Benedictine monastery. In the year 1087, King William gave the Manor of Tewkesbury to Robert FitzHamon, and in 1092, Robert and the Abbot… Read More »Tewkesbury Abbey
On this date, January 28th, in medieval history: 814 – Charlemagne dies at Aachen 1457 – Henry VII is born 1547 – Death of Henry VIII The following account of Charlemagne’s death is from the king’s long-time friend and courtier, Einhard: Toward the close of his life [813], when he… Read More »Today in Medieval History
Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (January 2, 2008) ISBN-10: 0061149047 The year is 878, and Uhtred is returning home to Northumbria at the hands of the Three Spinners. Lords of the North is the third book in the Saxon Chronicles series (following… Read More »Review of Lords of the North by Bernard Cornwell
On this day, December 25, in medieval history: 800 – Charlemagne crowned Holy Roman Emperor 875 – Charles the Bald crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope John VIII 1066 – William the Conqueror crowned King of England at Westminster Abbey in London 1085 – William the Conqueror commissions the creation of… Read More »Medieval Timeline: Today in Middle Ages History