How Anglo-Saxon migration transformed Byzantium & created the first English colony 956 years ago, William of Normandy defeated Harold Godwinson’s army at Hastings and became the King of England. William’s regime was slow to eliminate Anglo-Saxon influence in England, but Anglo-Saxon uprisings in the north of the country drew his wrath. Over the winter of 1069-1070, William prosecuted the “Harrying of the North,” killing his way throug…
How African Slaves Helped Break the Caliphate In the sweltering August heat of Southern Iraq, an army of slaves and Bedouins laid siege to the wealthy city of Basra. Over a month the besiegers tightened the noose around the city, burning outlying villages, and ambushing reinforcements and supply trains bound for the city. By September 7th, 871 AD the rebel army had gained a foothold in the city and…
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We've teamed up for an exclusive, subscriber-only deep dive into the world of Henry V One of the (many) reasons I love Substack is that it’s a great place for history fans to find new subjects, great stories and connect with one other.
An exclusive conversation for History, Etc subscribers Exactly a quarter of a century ago, in October 1999, I was an 18-year old undergraduate, newly arrived at Cambridge, having more-or-less accidentally decided that I wanted to study medieval history.
Ask me anything and I'll post a video with the answers After many weeks on the road on book tour, I’m back at my desk.
You asked, I answered Recorded this month’s Q&A video at the very delightful Silverton Park Stables, which I borrowed from the Landmark Trust for the weekend.
Closing the loop Plenty more dog content, too.
On the anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, five medieval attempts to murder a reigning monarch It’s Election Day in the US, and it’s Bonfire Night in the UK. One is a day for choosing a new leader. The other is a night to remember the occasion in 1605 when a group of plotters led by Guy Fawkes tried to blow an anointed ruler and his lords to kingdom come.
My favourite things from the British Library’s outstanding new medieval women exhibition The most important medieval exhibition of the year opened in London a couple of weeks ago at the British Library in London. It is called Medieval Women: In Their Own Words. I’ve been laid low - long story, I’ll tell you at some point - so it has taken me until today to go and see it.
Six archbishops who suffered the ultimate bad day at the ecclesiastical office Followers of English ecclesiastical affairs will know that the current Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, is stepping down from his post in January, earlier than planned, after serious failings of Church governance on his watch.
On December 16th I'll be reading at a special Substack Christmas event. Strictly limited invitations will be available to paid subscribers tomorrow at 10am GMT Okay, here’s the news. (The news is good.)
