10 Knightly Orders and What Made Each One Distinct
Combining knightly warfare and a monastic lifestyle, the knightly crusading orders were one of the strongest institutions of medieval Europe. Through them, men sought a…
How Muslims Responded to the Crusades
For Muslims living in the Holy Land, the arrival of Christian crusaders from the late 11th century onwards was hugely disruptive. It brought misery to…
The Red Baron: Manfred von Richthofen
The greatest fighter ace of the First World War, Manfred von Richthofen, was born on the 2nd of May 1892. Becoming an officer cadet at…
Was Napoleon Really a Military Innovator?
The success of Napoleon Bonaparte stands as a testament to his extraordinary talent as a general. For twenty years, his armies dominated the battlefields of…
Joachim Peiper’s Atrocities Against Allied Troops: When Intimidation Failed
The forces of Nazi Germany are infamous for the atrocities they committed. The SS, who played a dual role, both acting as frontline troops and…
How Napoleon Managed His Vast Armies
The wars fought by Napoleon Bonaparte were like nothing that had ever come before. His armies were vast in scale and constant in their activity,…
7 Types of Medieval Armor – From Quilted Cloth to Full Steel Plate
More than any other artifact of war, armor dominates visual images of medieval Europe. From the chainmail carefully stitched onto each warrior in the Bayeux…
His Disastrous Attack Led To George Armstrong Custer’s Last Stand
George Armstrong Custer is one of the most infamous figures in American military history. A cavalry commander whose style was based on instinct and showmanship…
The Longbow: Its Rise and Dominance
The growing effectiveness of metal armour created a challenge for medieval soldiers. While the elite of knights and men-at-arms were now well protected, the majority…
Fast Facts! Hitler Gambles Everything: The Battle of the Bulge
A desperate gamble by a struggling army, the Battle of the Bulge was Hitler’s last great attempt to end the Second World War on terms…
9 Factors that Caused the First Crusade
On the surface, the First Crusade looks like something with a simple cause – the hatred of one religious group for another. In reality, the…
Pendennis Castle: Henry VIII’s Key to Cornwall
Coastal defences have been vital to Britain’s security since the days of the Roman Empire. One of the best preserved historical shore forts, and one…