Mediaeval Warfare

Michael Smith

Oct 20, 20247 min read

The Battle of Maldon, 991 - an epic tale of defiance, folly and communal loyalty

Northsey Island near Maldon in Essex is the site of a famous battle between the Vikings and the Anglo-Saxons and celebrated in an epic poem.

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Michael Smith

Aug 31, 20203 min read

Dryslwyn Castle, Carmarthenshire, Wales

A brief history and description of the evocative and dramatically-sited castle at Dryslwyn. Much remains to impress the visitor today.

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Pleshey and Great Canfield Castles – Two Norman Mottes in Essex

Michael Smith, Mythical Britain

May 25, 20205 min read

Pleshey and Great Canfield Castles – Two Norman Mottes in Essex

A detailed look at two magnificent Norman motte-and-bailey castles in Essex: Great Canfield and Pleshey. Both are well worth the trip to see

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Michael Smith

Feb 20, 20206 min read

Castell Dinas Bran, Denbighshire, Wales

A history of Castell Dinas Bran, Llangollen, Denbighshire, Wales, including a detailed site description and photogrpahs.

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Holt Castle, or Castle Lion, Denbighshire

Michael Smith

Feb 9, 20206 min read

Holt Castle, or Castle Lion, Denbighshire

A description, history and site interpretation of Holt Castle, Denbighshire with photography and links to other information sources.

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Degannwy Castle - a stronghold brought to ruin by revenge

Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker

Jan 6, 20205 min read

Degannwy Castle - a stronghold brought to ruin by revenge

A brief history of Degannwy (Deganwy) castle in North Wales, with a description, photographs and useful links.

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Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire - a wonder in the fens

Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker

Mar 18, 20195 min read

Bolingbroke Castle, Lincolnshire - a wonder in the fens

Bolingbroke Castle is a special castle with a history fundamentally linked to the history of England. Built on an hexagonal plan, the castle

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Book Review: The Castle at War in Medieval England and Wales

Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker

Feb 19, 20194 min read

Book Review: The Castle at War in Medieval England and Wales

Dr Dan Spencer's book on the Medieval castles is a valuable and accessible guide to castles - not what they are but where they appear in

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Michael Smith, Author, Translator, Printmaker

Oct 24, 20184 min read

The Battle of Agincourt, 1415

An overview of the revolutionary tactics used by Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt 1415.

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The historic landscape at Castle Bytham in Lincolnshire

Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain

Aug 12, 20183 min read

The historic landscape at Castle Bytham in Lincolnshire

A description of the astonishing motte and bailey castle at Castle Bytham, Lincolnshire, with its historic earthworks and man-made landscape

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Illustrating my new translation of the Alliterative Morte Arthure (King Arthur's Death)

Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain

Aug 11, 20182 min read

Illustrating my new translation of the Alliterative Morte Arthure (King Arthur's Death)

A new translation of the epic fourteenth century story of King Arthur's Death by Michael Smith will feature over 32 stunning linocut ill

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The Mediaeval Graffiti at Anstey, Hertfordshire

Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain

May 23, 20183 min read

The Mediaeval Graffiti at Anstey, Hertfordshire

Learn about the fabulous mediaeval graffiti at Anstey in Hertfordshire, including shields, helmets, writing and more.

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The Age of Chivalry - Inspiring my Books and Prints

Michael Smith, printmaker, Mythical Britain

Apr 18, 20183 min read

The Age of Chivalry - Inspiring my Books and Prints

The Fourteenth Century holds a real fascination for me; particularly the fashion and ethos of the later days of the Age of Chivalry. In this

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Creating a linocut print of Sir Hugh Calveley

Michael Smith, Mythical Britain

Nov 25, 20172 min read

Creating a linocut print of Sir Hugh Calveley

How I made and printed a four-colour linocut of the Cheshire Knight, Sir Hugh Calveley. Michael Smith, Mythical Britain

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Michael Smith, Mythical Britain

Mar 7, 20162 min read

Battle of Agincourt rages in Brecon

Last year, I was asked by Brecon Beacons National Park if I would like to contribute some of my drawings of the battle to their Agincourt...

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