News: MW IV.5 and Richard III's demise

Despite an Indian summer trying to distract us from our hard work, we managed to finish another issue of Medieval Warfare on time. MW IV.5 has just been sent to the printers. Of course, with a theme like Richard I, it’s not all that difficult to gather contributors willing to share their knowledge with our readers, but I’m still quite proud of hoe the issue has turned out. This is also due to the work of several new and very capable illustrators, who have provided the issue with beautiful artwork fitting for such a fascinating theme. You can read more about the issue’s contents in another blog next week. For now, we can tell you that the issue is already available for pre-order, so don’t forgot to order a copy. 

Also of interest this week is that the University of Leicester has just published an account of their study of Richard III skeleton. Their analysis can be found in the Lancet by the University, and offers a detailed account of his injuries. It doesn’t come as a surprise that he died rather violently, but if you’re looking for more information, I suggest you read the following pages on Phys.org and 

Last but not least, here are some notable anniversaries in the upcoming days.
• On 19 september 1356, Edward the Black Prince defeated French King John II’s army at the Battle of Poitiers. John II was captured, and the defeat led to considerable political instability within France, during which Edward tried to win the French throne, but in vain. Some 4 years later, the English and French signed the Treaty of Bretigny, resulting in a short period of peace during the Hundred Years War.
• The Battle of Fulford, fought on 20 September 1066, was the first in a series of three battles which would decide the future of England. On that day, Viking warlord Harold Hardrada defeated the Anglo-Saxon earls Morcar and Edwin, who both died. Harald’s victory was shortlived, however. A week later, he would be defeated by the army of Harold Godwinson, who in turn was defeated by the Norman Duke William the Conqueror a few weeks later. The latter would mark the end of Anglo-Saxon and Viking rule in England. For more information on the Battle, read Charles Jones’ article in Medieval Warfare I-3.
• At the Battle of Saule, on 22 September 1236, the Livonian Brothers of the Sword were soundly defeated by a force of Lithuanians and Semigallians. The defeat decimated the Brothers’ ranks, and the remaining Swordbrothers were incorporated into the Teutonic Order in 1237. Many of those former Brethren were killed at the Battle of Lake Peipus in 1242. For more information on the Swordbrothers, read the article of Ronald Delval in Medieval Warfare IV-1.