I wanted to keep everyone posted when I came across a cool new book or magazine. Medieval Warfare is the real deal. A sister publication of Ancient Warfare, which I have also reviewed, this beautiful bimonthly covers war from the fall of Rome to the beginning of the Renaissance. That is a good millennium of battles and other stuff, which Medieval Warfare handles very well. It is a Dutch-produced – Karwansaray Publishers – but its language is English. The current issue – Vol. II, Issue 6 – is themed to the Byzantine Empire of the tenth and eleventh centuries, a golden age for Byzantium and an era of military resurgence on all fronts.

My personal favorite is Raffaele d’Amato’s look at the equipment of the kataphraktoi, the heavy armored cavalry of the Byzantine Empire. I like d’Amato’s work very much, he is a real scholar, and knows how to make good use of his sources. Medieval Warfare also contains stunning color artwork and great photographs. It is the kind of magazine that insists that you take it off the rack and look it over. Give it a look yourself. It is available at Barnes & Noble.

I also highly recommend Byzantine Imperial Guardsman 925-1025 by Raffaele d’Amato.  My review of it is in the back of this particular Medieval Warfare issue.  Check it out!

Marc DeSantis