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Thomas Penn interview about his Medieval warfare history book “The Brothers York”

Check out this book here https://amzn.to/3iuUBy0

Interview timeline

Thomas Penn is a medieval historian and the editorial director of Penguin UK. He wrote a very well-regarded biography of Henry VII and has written medieval history for years. He recently published a book on the York brothers of the House of York. We spoke about the Wars of the Roses, English warfare at the time, and the research into this fascinating story.

(THE AUDIO PLAYER IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST.)

0:39 – Thomas talks about how he ended up writing on the Wars of the Roses. He then discusses the background of the Wars of the Roses.

4:16 – Thomas talks about how the 13th century Black Death contributed to the wars that followed.

6:59 – Thomas talks about how the mercantile classes contributed to the English wars.

8:56 – Thomas talks about the bankers financing the wars were paid out.

11:58 – Thomas talks about taxation and the conquering of lands in the wars.

15:45 – Thomas talks about the levels of violence in the Wars of the Roses. He also discusses the high levels of litigation.

19:48 – Thomas talks about about foreigners being part of the wars and litigation in this period.

23:02 – Thomas talks about how the wars were fought over three decades including the major battles.

29:13 – Thomas talks about the type of fighting that happened in this period.

32:48 – Thomas talks about the make-up of the English forces.

34:38 – Thomas talks about the use of the longbow at this period.

36:19 – Thomas talks about how armies were raised.

39:00 – Thomas talks about the three York brothers who are the main focus of the book.

42:28 – Thomas talks about the documentary evidence he used.

44:50 – Thomas talks about being able to see a genealogical parchment roll.

48:21 – Thomas talks about the Italian financiers in the story.

49:46 – Thomas talks about Richard III.

54:01 – Thomas talks about the emotions and humanity in the letters of a knight John Paston.

Links of interest

https://amzn.to/3iuUBy0

https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Brothers-York/Thomas-Penn/9781451694178

Contact Information

For more “Military History Inside Out” please follow me at www.warscholar.org, on Facebook at warscholar, on twitter at Warscholar, on youtube at warscholar and on Instagram @crisalvarezwarscholar. Or subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify Please see historyrabbithole.com for a list of my dozen or so blogs and podcasts. You’re sure to find something you like.

Guests: Thomas Penn

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: Books, audio interviews, author, podcast, Simon & Schuster, Medieval warfare, Britain,

Check out this book here https://amzn.to/3iuUBy0

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Georgios Theotokis interview about Byzantine military history in the 10th century

Check out this book here https://amzn.to/3kbS9gO

Interview Summary

Georgios Theotokis studies warfare in medieval Europe and the Mediterranean. He’s written extensively on this subject and we spoke about his latest book on the Byzantine and Arab militaries in the tenth century.

0:51 – Georgios talks about how he got into writing a book on the tenth century Byzantine military.

2:51 – Georgios talks about the military situation at the time period the book focuses on.

4:10 – Georgios talks about the book. It’s a comparison of military cultures of the period.

6:49 – Georgios talks about the Byzantium grand strategy. He also touches on tactics and equipment.

11:15 – Georgios touches on espionage in the period.

14:15 – Georgios talks about border security during the period.

20:16 – Georgios talks about how control is established in the towns of the border.

24:40 – Georgios talks about raids and skirmishes on the border.

28:31 – Georgios talks about how borders changed during this period.

34:32 – Georgios compares the equipment of the Arab and Byzantium militaries in the tenth century. He talks about heavy infantry among other types of units.

37:51 – Georgios talks about the evidence, documents and such, that support his research.

40:12 – Georgios talks about the evidence that informs researchers about the military equipment – armor or weapons.

45:12 – Georgios talks about why saints in Greek and Anatolian churches were painted wearing contemporary armor and weapons.

52:24 – Georgios talks about the discoveries that he would most like to see happen in relation to his work.

54:50 – Georgios mentions about the battles of Tarsus and Al-Hadat.

1:06:10 – Georgios has a page on academia.edu.

Links of interest

https://amzn.to/3kbS9gO

https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-byzantine-military-tactics-in-syria-and-mesopotamia-in-the-10th-century.html

http://bogaziciuniversity.academia.edu/GeorgiosTheotokis

Contact information

For more “Military History Inside Out” please follow me on Facebook at warscholar, on twitter at Warscholar, on youtube at warscholar1945 and on Instagram @crisalvarezswarscholar

Guests: Georgios Theotokis

Host: Cris Alvarez

Tags: Books, audio interviews, author, academic, podcast, Edinburgh University Press, Medieval warfare,

Check out this book here https://amzn.to/3kbS9gO

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Tag: Medieval warfare