Simon Sebag Montefiore discussing my new book "The Crusader Storm."

Study the history of the Crusades with me! Starting on 24 Sept, "The Crusades: From Primary Source to scholarly verdict" will run online for ten weekly sessions. 15% off using code: BacktoSchool (expires 31 Aug) @medievalists.bsky.social medievalstudies.thinkific.com/courses/crus...

The Crusades: From Primary Source to Scholarly Verdict

A scholarly overview of the Crusades from the First Crusade (1095) to Saladin’s conquest of Jerusalem (1187). We examine primary sources from this period, considering how we can answer some of the mos...

medievalstudies.thinkific.com

Looking for some summer reading? My new book "The Crusader Storm" offers a history of the Crusades (1097-1187) from roughly ten different cultural perspectives. These include: Byzantine, Fatimid, Seljuk Turkish, Arab, Kurdish, Frankish, Jewish and Armenian points of view.

Encountering bananas during the Crusades The crusaders learned about bananas during their campaigns in the Middle East. Trying to explain them to relatives and correspondents in the west, one writer described them as "long apples", another said that they... (1/2)

The Mongols and the Black Death The Mongols' role in spreading the Black Death during the Fourteenth century (possibly as far back as the Thirteenth century) remains closely debated. Some claim the armies, merchants and envoys criss-crossing their empire played ... (1/2)

Have you noticed? When I was an undergraduate student people often questioned the value of studying history - after all, what's the point? How is it useful in the modern world? I've realised recently - no one at all is asking those questions now.

Roman masonry in Crusader Castles! An interesting feature common to many Crusader Castles is the builders' use of pillars and masonry from classical sites. You can see this clearly below in a section of wall from the castle of Jubail (Byblos) in Lebanon. (1/2)

Medieval Dragons in Middle East Something that always strikes me about medieval Middle Eastern sources is the sheer number of cultures that discuss dragons, either as mythical beasts, or in some cases as actual living creatures. My favourite story... (1/2)

Egyptian mummies in the medieval era Digging up Egyptian tombs was big business in the 13thC - lot of money to be made! One author reports chopped up mummy wrappings being used as price labels in markets. The pyramids were difficult to access and full of bats. (1/2)

I told him that Vikings didn't have horns on their helmets. He didn't take it well.

What to do if your ship is attacked by Sirens Medieval mariners who travelled to the Holy Land told many stories about sea monsters. They also offered practical advice about dealing with them. So if you are attacked by sirens then ... (1/2)

US edition coming soon!

Mice urinating in leopard bites (a medieval warning) Medieval writers claim that, if you suffer a leopard bite, you need to stay alert because mice will try to urinate in the wound. They suggest taking refuge on a boat so the mice can't follow. Even then, be cautious .. (1/2)

My favourite medieval fable A mother and daughter were on their way to market with the daughter riding on a donkey. Passing through a village on their way, the local people started laughing at them shouting - "look at that ridiculous pair!" ... (1/5)

A medieval joke There aren't many jokes that translate well into the modern day, but there is one ... King Louis IX set out on campaign and en-route he stopped at a tavern where he ordered some chicken. (1/2)

Making reading plans for the summer? Crusader Storm offers a history of the Crusades from roughly ten different cultural perspectives.

Come and study the history of Crusades with me in ten weekly online sessions!

Medievalist.net@medievalists.bsky.social · 2w ago

Reading primary sources offers a unique window into the medieval world. Explore the Crusades through the writings of those who witnessed, recorded, and interpreted these events. 📜✨ medievalstudies.thinkific.com/courses/crus... #Crusades #Medieval

I keep coming back to this quote ... "Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed." G.K. Chesterton

Just arrived at the Royal Armouries in Leeds to give this afternoon's talk on surviving a Mongol invasion! @royalarmouries.bsky.social

🔥⚔️ THE CRUSADES WERE NOT THE ENTIRE MEDIEVAL MIDDLE EAST! Our first Gloucester special sees @nicmorton.bsky.social rage that Crusades were a small part. Civilisations carried on, enemies traded and empires rose and fell. And mice making boats from pomegranates. 🐭🍎⛵ 🎧6 Aug #Medieval #History

Review of my new book "The Crusader Storm" for Middle East Monitor Link to review: www.middleeastmonitor.com/20251121-the...

Twenty years of research...

When someone reads your work and just 'gets it'! "The Cru­sader Storm is a neces­sary and nuanced nar­rat­ive that lucidly reveals a com­plex his­tory of tem­pes­tu­ous times." Fabulous review by James Doherty of my new book Crusader Storm. @jrdoherty.bsky.social @historyextra.bsky.social

In this video for "Talking Templars" I chat to the fabulous Steve Tibble about my new book Crusader Storm. As you can probably tell - it was really warm in that room! youtu.be/k1QOHEpW_XY?...

The Crusader Storm - author Nicholas Morton interviewed by Talking Templars

YouTube video by Tony McMahon History Bear

youtu.be

I'm running an online course on the Crusades with Medievalists.net starting in September. If you're interested, don't forget to use the below discount! Course link: medievalstudies.thinkific.com/courses/crus...

Medievalist.net@medievalists.bsky.social · last mo.

Summer has arrived, and so has our biggest Medieval Studies Online Courses sale of the season! For a limited time, get 20% off any course — live or self-paced! See the courses at www.medievalists.net/2026/07/medi... #medievalstudies

Medieval Historian and friend of the show, Professor Nicholas Morton (from @nottinghamtrentuni.bsky.social) is back on the POD to discuss his fantastic new book, Crusader Storm! This time we talk about the feverish history of The Crusades from the Muslim perspective👇🏻 youtu.be/Gp3vMWmAnYs #history

Following the improbable success of the First Crusade in 1099, the Crusaders continued to expand the area they controlled in the next 2 decades to create the Crusader States. That stopped in the 1120s. Why? In our latest post @nicmorton.bsky.social explains castlestudiestrust.org/blog/2026/06...

Looking for some summer reading? My new book "The Crusader Storm" offers a history of the Crusades (1097-1187) from around ten different cultural perspectives.

New podcast interview on my new book... "The Crusader Storm" with Richard Abels ('tis but a scratch) podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...

The Crusades and the Wars for the Middle East (with Prof. Nicholas Morton)

Podcast Episode · 'tis but a scratch: fact and fiction about the Middle Ages · 20 June · 1hr 1min

podcasts.apple.com

Interview released today in TA NEA (A Greek national newspaper) where I discuss my new book The Crusader Storm.