Military History Matters 151
The comprehensive website for archaeology, history, heritage and the ancient world. Find out more about us here
Charlemagne: King, conqueror, emperor
In the first part of our special feature for this issue, Stephen Roberts traces the life of this extraordinary individual; while in the second part, he looks in more detail at Charlemagne’s victory at Pavia, which helped him establish the foundations of the Holy Roman Empire.
The Siege of Pavia: Defeating the Lombards, 773-774
In the second part of our special, Stephen Roberts reveals how a key victory helped Charlemagne establish the foundations for the Holy Roman Empire.
MHM 130 Competition: win a copy of a classic 1950s film!
Put your military history knowledge to the test with our competition.
‘The end of the beginning’: Montgomery & El Alamein
Graham Goodlad assesses the career of Britain’s best-known and most controversial general of the Second World War.
El Alamein: turning point in the desert
Graham Goodlad analyses Montgomery’s epic clash with Rommel’s forces, which signalled the end for Nazi Germany’s ambitions in the Middle East.
The First World War in Postcards
Calum Henderson explores fascinating examples of postcards from the First World War which feature in John Wilton’s latest book.
The Lighthouse of Stalingrad: the hidden truth at the centre of WWII’s greatest battle
A besieged city, a hostile army enveloping on all sides, and a ruthless commander refusing to surrender – this was not 1942, but 1919, when the city in southern Russia then known
Military History Matters Letters – September 2022
As both of my grandfathers perished onboard Invincible at the Battle of Jutland in May 1916, I read your discussion of Admiral David Beatty (‘The worst commanders in history?’ MHM August/September 2022)
David Stirling: the Phoney Major: the life, times and truth about the founder of the SAS
REVIEW BY SIMON BAKER Anyone with more than a passing interest in the history of the SAS may well be familiar with the regiment’s genesis myth: in 1941, a tall Commando called
Military history events and exhibitions Autumn 2022 – Winter 2023
A round-up of some of the best military history events, lectures, and exhibitions.
Why the Armada failed
It was one of the greatest disasters in Spain’s history, yet it came within hours of success. Here, Geoffrey Parker, co-author of a major new history, draws on unseen archives and vital new evidence from Armada shipwrecks to explain what really happened in 1588.
Rare bones of men and horses found at Waterloo
The latest discoveries – including parts of at least three horses, one of which looks nearly complete, and the skull and arm of a soldier – are incredibly rare finds.
Cuban Missile Crisis: how one man saved the world from nuclear war
John Lock resumes his occasional series on the ‘Butterfly Effect’ by examining another event that might have had unforeseen consequences. This time, he turns his attention to the Cuban Missile Crisis, the dramatic Cold War stand-off that led the world to the brink of disaster.
The Story of Russia
REVIEW BY ANDRÉ VAN LOON. The Story of Russia is a thorough work of historical writing that unfortunately leaves aside its most interesting ideas after the book’s introduction. Figes starts with a
Museum review: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum
Reviewing the best military history exhibitions with Christopher Warner.
War Classic: The Campaigns of Napoleon
Chandler sees Napoleon as a gifted improviser whose operations were nonetheless underpinned by certain consistent principles. Amongst his key skills as a commander were a personal charisma that inspired and moulded others to his will
The end of everything: the Battle of Mohács, 29 August 1526
Hungary’s devastating defeat by the armies of Suleiman the Magnificent signalled the country’s demise as a unified independent kingdom. Andrew Southam describes the action.
Convoys: the British struggle against Napoleonic Europe and America
REVIEW BY PATRICK BONIFACE. Military success throughout time has been dependent on the orderly and safe supply of goods, food, fuel, ammunition, and personnel. Ancient mariners devised the convoy system to protect
New evidence sheds fresh light on Culloden battlefield landscape
‘This clear evidence for the survival of Culloden Parks shows us that the story of the Battle of Culloden is still unfolding’