Beyond Knights and Castles: War in the Middle Ages *In-Person* *NEW*

When we think of the European Middle Ages, war is one of the first things that comes to mind. Many of the monumental castles of that time are still standing, and armored knights are familiar to us from countless Medieval romances and films. In this class we will look at the sometimes-surprising reality behind the image, tracing the development of Medieval warfare from the end of the Roman era to the first appearance of gunpowder on the battlefield. We will see how warfare shaped Medieval life and society, and we will also examine the styles of warfare practiced by the East Romans (Byzantines), Muslims, and Mongols who interacted with the Christian West. Instructor: Allan Converse

Sections

Instructor

I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in New York City. I hold degrees in history from Vassar College, Northeastern University, and Brandeis University and I have taught in several Boston area colleges and universities, including Northeastern, Emerson, and Lesley. My book Churchill’s Armies at War was published by Oxford University Press. In my spare time I do artwork, act in independent films, and write mystery fiction.