The wars between Otto the Great and the invading Magyars in the late 9th to mid-10th centuries marked a turning point in European history. The two opposing forces, driven by the desire to secure their land or find a new one, engaged in a series of battles that would have far-reaching consequences, one of them being the emergence of a new European order: the Holy Roman Empire.

Theme: Otto I versus the Magyars

• Historical introduction – Curtis Szmania
• The Source – Kay Broers, 'Liudprand of Cremona on the Magyars'.
• Andrei Pogâcias, 'The Magyars in Eastern and Central Europe'.
• Kai Grundmann, 'German strategy versus Magyar tactics'.
• David Balfour, 'The Battle of Lechfeld'.

Features:

• The Castle – Konstantin Nossov, ‘Strife over the straits: medieval fortresses on the Bosporus and the Dardanelles (part I)'.
• Special – Armen Ayvazyan, 'Byzantine Military Pragmatism vs. Imperial Prejudice: the Armenians in Maurice’s Strategikon'.
• The Battle – Owen Rees, 'The Battle of Bryn Glas (1402)'.
• Weapon Handling – Tim Newark, 'Knights and bows.'