Medieval Warfare

‘Proposuimus Pergere in Egyptum’ – Military Interest and Advice in Jacques de Vitry’s Writings (Eighth Quadrennial Conference of the Society for the Study of the Crusades and the Latin East, 25-29 June 2012, Cáceres, Spain).

by Jan Vandeburie

Understanding the balance of power in Eastern Iceland: Some remarks on the Saga of the Men of Svinafell.

by gregory cattaneo

Forthcoming in Sredniowiecze polskie i powszechne, Vol. 8, Publication of the University of Silesia, Poland, 2012.

The objective of this study is to analyze the conflict presented in a less known saga: the Saga of the Men of... more The objective of this study is to analyze the conflict presented in a less known saga: the Saga of the Men of Svinafell (Svínfellinga saga). Until now none of the studies dealing with conflict in Iceland took this saga into consideration. Moreover facing the scarcity of studies concerning the Eastern Quarter, it seems interesting to look at this saga under this scope in order to offer another perspective on mechanisms of conflicts’ resolution in Medieval Iceland and more precisely around the middle of the 13th century

Fortifications fatimides du Caire dans Annales islamologiques

by Pradines Stéphane

Call for Papers: War and Peace: Conflict and Resolution in Archaeology. 45th Annual Chacmool Archaeology Conference, Calgary, Alberta

by Cara Tremain

Miecz z Łotwy typu Z przechowywany w zbiorach Muzeum Archeologicznego w Poznaniu. Import czy produkt wschodniobaltycki? / Z-type sword from Latvia in the collection of the Poznan Archaeological Museum. An import of East Baltic product?

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authored with T. Kurasiński & M. Rychter, published in 'Fontes Archaeologici Posnanienses', Vol. 47, 2011, p. 5-12.

The subject of the paper is a single-edged sword (with an axe-shaped blade) originating from Latvia and kept in the... more The subject of the paper is a single-edged sword (with an axe-shaped blade) originating from Latvia and kept in the Poznań Archaeological Museum. The artefact was classified as type Z after J. Petersen. Such specimens are usually dated to the 11th century and are mainly concentrated in the basin of the Baltic Sea, particularly on its eastern shore. The place of discovery, the shape of the blade and the concentration of this kind of artefacts indicate its east Baltic origin. The material analysis provided grounds for a technological evaluation of the product. Hammered from a uniform iron rod (a billet), the blade revealed a diversified level of carburizing which improved its efficacy. Together with the probable lack of hilt decoration, this particular property seems to suggest that the weapon was wrought in order to make it as effective as possible in battle.

Miecz z Łotwy typu Z przechowywany w zbiorach Muzeum Archeologicznego w Poznaniu. Import czy produkt wschodniobaltycki? / Z-type sword from Latvia in the collection of the Poznan Archaeological Museum. An import of East Baltic product?

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authored with T. Kurasiński & M. Rychter, published in 'Fontes Archaeologici Posnanienses', Vol. 47, 2011, p. 5-12.

The subject of the paper is a single-edged sword (with an axe-shaped blade) originating from Latvia and kept in the... more The subject of the paper is a single-edged sword (with an axe-shaped blade) originating from Latvia and kept in the Poznań Archaeological Museum. The artefact was classified as type Z after J. Petersen. Such specimens are usually dated to the 11th century and are mainly concentrated in the basin of the Baltic Sea, particularly on its eastern shore. The place of discovery, the shape of the blade and the concentration of this kind of artefacts indicate its east Baltic origin. The material analysis provided grounds for a technological evaluation of the product. Hammered from a uniform iron rod (a billet), the blade revealed a diversified level of carburizing which improved its efficacy. Together with the probable lack of hilt decoration, this particular property seems to suggest that the weapon was wrought in order to make it as effective as possible in battle.

"Mejor tú que yo. La guerra Interseñorial: batallas, asaltos y tomas de fortificaciones en la Galicia del siglo XV"

by Carlos J. Galbán Malagón

Ex Novo, Revista d'Humanitats, 7, 2011, 157-179

The study of war during Middle Ages has occupied a key role Historiography, even with the important progresses during... more The study of war during Middle Ages has occupied a key role Historiography, even with the important progresses during the last years. However, the interest has been focussed in the great conflicts instead of examining, with the same perspectives, the
most abundant seigneurial conflicts. This paper shows briefly some galician examples regarding the scale of the complexity reached in this kind of engagements.

La batalla de Tévar

by Alberto Montaner

Alberto Montaner Frutos, «La batalla de Tévar», en Actas del Congreso Internacional El Cid, Poema e Historia (12-16 de julio, 1999), ed. C. Hernández Alonso, Burgos, Ayuntamiento, 2000, pp. 353-82.

Here is offered a detailed study of the Battle of Tevar (1092) in the most ancient historic and literary sources on El... more Here is offered a detailed study of the Battle of Tevar (1092) in the most ancient historic and literary sources on El Cid: his latin biography "Historia Roderici" (c. 1090), the Navarrese genealogy "Linage de Rodric Diaz" (c. 1200) and the epic poem devoted to him, the "Cantar de mio Cid" (c. 1207). In addition to exploring the contrast between history and poetry, the analysis allows to study the relationship between these sources, concluding that the "Linage" and the "Cantar" are most probably unrelated, but both of them are inspired by the "Historia Roderici".

Eastern archery in Birka’s Garrison

by Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson

Co-authored with Fredrik Lundström & Lena Holmquist Olausson
Published in The Martial Society. Aspects of warriors, fortifications and social change in Scandinavia. 2009

The epic poem Beowulf relates that Hathkin, son
of Hrethel king of the Geats, kills his older brother more The epic poem Beowulf relates that Hathkin, son
of Hrethel king of the Geats, kills his older brother
Herebeald with a ‘horn bow’ (OE ‘hornbage’ in
Klaeber 1951, l. 2437; translated as ‘horny bow’ in
Gummere 1910), most likely the present-day ‘composite
bow’, and an unusual weapon for the north
European Late Iron Age. It was an advanced type
of archer’s bow with constructional details mainly
of horn and sinew. It was a technological import
and not a natural component of north-Germanic
warfare. In a European context it was primarily to
be found among the Eurasian steppe nomads. The
steppes warriors also made use of other innovations
related to archery and the distinctive fighting
technique that accompanied it. What then is the significance
of finding fighting equipment associated
with the composite bow in a trading place like Birka
on Lake Mälaren?

A Brotherhood of Feasting and Campaigning - the success of the Northern warrior

by Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson

Article in Regner, E., von Heijne, C., Kitzler Åhfeldt, L. & Kjellström, A. (eds.). 2009. From Ephesos to Dalecarlia.
Reflections on Body, Space and Time in Medieval and Early Modern Europe. The Museum of National Antiquities,
Stockholm. Studies 11. Stockholm Studies in Archaeology 48. Stockholm. ISBN 978-91-89176-37-9

There are many preconceptions regarding the Northern warriors of the Viking Age. Whether fierce men plundering and... more There are many preconceptions regarding the Northern warriors of the Viking Age. Whether fierce men plundering and pillaging Western Europe or axebearing soldiers in the Emperor’s guard in Byzantium, their reputation as skilled warriors preceded them wherever they went. To what did the Northerners owe their success, and what were their characteristics in terms of skills and organization?
This paper deals with Viking Age warriors and the brotherhoods
or warrior bands that partly created the foundation for their achievements.

Rus', Varangians and Birka Warriors

by Charlotte Hedenstierna-Jonson

published in The Martial Society. Aspects of warriors, fortifications and social change in Scandinavia. Eds. L. Holmquist Olausson & M. Olausson. 2009

Viking Age remains displaying a number of distinct
similarities stand in strategic locations along
the... more Viking Age remains displaying a number of distinct
similarities stand in strategic locations along
the Eastern trade routes from Birka to Kiev. They
consist of fortified settlements with many Scandinavian
features and a considerable military presence.
Some artefacts obviously associated with warriors’
dress or equipment are so diagnostic in their design
that questions about common origin and manufacture
have been raised. Who were the bearers of this
equipment and what was the relationship between
these warriors and the fortified settlements?

 ‘Lignum Salutifere Crucis quod in Prelio Detulerunt’: The Use of Sacred Objects in Battle during the Crusades

by Jan Vandeburie

ISHA Seminar ‘History Used as Propaganda’, 23-27 February 2011, Leuven

Sword Parts from a Viking Age Emporium of Truso in Prussia

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authored with M. Biborski, M. Jagodziński, J. Stępiński, G. Żabiński, published in 'Waffen- und Kostumkunde", H. 1, 2010

Z zachodu na wschód czy ze wschodu na zachód? Kilka uwag na temat zdobionego jelca z Kamienia Pomorskiego/From the west to the east, or other way round? A few remarks on the ornamented cross-guard from Kamień Pomorski.

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authored with M. Rychter, published in 'Acta Militaria Mediaevalia', t. VI, 2010

The article describes a sword’s cross-guard made of brass. This item can be dated back to the end of the 9th – the 3rd... more The article describes a sword’s cross-guard made of brass. This item can be dated back to the end of the 9th – the 3rd quarter of
the 10th cent. It probably belongs to the type L according to J. Petersen. The type was shaped under Anglo-Carolingian influence. The vine-scroll adorning the cross-guard has no straight analogies, but a similar motif is represented in both Anglo-Saxon and Ruthenian materials.

Jelec miecza z Podzamcza w Szczecinie / The sword's cross-guard from Podzamcze in Szczecin

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authored with S. Słowiński, published in 'Acta Militaria Mediaevalia', t. V, 2009

The article presents the iron sword’s cross-guard discovered in Szczecin, Poland. The artefact can be dated to the... more The article presents the iron sword’s cross-guard discovered in Szczecin, Poland. The artefact can be dated to the 9th-10th cent.,particularly the 10th cent.

Miecz, kord, a może jedno i drugie? Analiza broni białej odnalezionej w zbiorach Muzeum Warmii i Mazur w Olsztynie. / A sword, a falchion, or maybe both? Analysis of a bladed weapon from the collection of Warmia and Mazury Museum in Olsztyn

by Piotr Pudło

Coauthoret with M. Betiuk and P. Kucypera, published in Non sensistis gladios. Studia ofiarowane Marianowi Głoskowi w 70. rocznicę urodzin, ed. O. Ławrynowicz, J. Maik, P. A. Nowakowski, Łódź 2011

Miecze z cmentarzyska w Cedyni, pow. Gryfiński (stan. 2) w świetle najnowszych badań interdyscyplinarnych / Two swords from Cedynia burial groun, Gryfino district (p. 2) in the light of newest interdisciplinary research

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authored with T. Kurasiński, P. Kucypera, published in Arma et Medium Aevum. Studia nad uzbrojeniem średniowiecznym, red. P. Kucypera, P. Pudło, G. Żabiński, Toruń 2009.

Nóż bojowy czy kord? Kilka uwag na temat zabytku z Bielicy, pow. elbląski / A fighting knife or a falchion? A few comments on specimen from Bielica, Elbląg district.

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authoret with O. Ławrynowicz, published in 'Rocznik Elblaski', t. XXIII, 2010.

Miecz z Pilichowa - czy tak naprawdę zaginął? / Sword from Pilichowo - whether it really was lost?

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authored with L. Klimek, published in 'Nasze Korzenie', No.1, 2011

Średniowieczne militaria z miasta kazimierzowskiego w Radomiu.

by Piotr Pudło

Co-authoret with G. Barczyk, P. A. Nowakowski, published in 'Biuletyn Kwartalny Radomskiego Towarzystwa Naukowego', t. XLIV, 2010, z. 1-4