In the volatile 11th and 12th-century Mediterranean, Normans played an important role as soldiers, mercenaries, and seekers of fortune. With their adventurous spirit, they braved the uncertain political landscape of southern Italy and beyond, making it clear that they intended to leave their mark on history.

Theme: Mercenaries and mighty warlords - The Normans in the Mediterranean

• Historical introduction – Sidney Dean, ‘The d’Hauteville brothers in Italy’.
• The Source - Martijn Cissen, ‘Bohemond I of Antioch in the Alexiad’.
• Will Stroock, ‘How to fight and win like a Norman’.
• Nils Visser, ‘The use of Saracen mercenaries in Norman South Italy’.
• Matthew Bennett, ‘Norman naval activities in the Mediterranean’.
• Filippo Donvito, ‘The Battle of Civitate, 1053’.
• The Siege - Vassilis Pergalias, ‘The Siege of Bari, 1068 - 1071’.

Features:

• The Weapon - Peter Vemming, ‘Incendiary arrows in Bengedan’s Warbook’.
• Special - Brian Burfield, ‘Treatment of wounds in the Middle Ages’.
• The Battle - Jean-Claude Brunner, ‘Charles the Bold’s English Archers at the battle of Morat, 1476’.
• Weapon Handling - Murray Dahm, ‘Hans Talhoffer’s instruction manual on weapon handling’.