Sam holds a BA in History from the University of Oxford and an MA in History from the University of Birmingham. He specializes in medieval Europe.
Areas of Expertise
How Did the Mongol Empire’s Expansion Impact the West?
In the 13th century, the expansion of the Mongol Empire had a profound impact on Europe’s perception of itself and the wider world.
The Gregorian Reforms That Turned Europe Into a Persecuting Society
In the High Middle Ages, a new clerical class emerged who redefined what it meant to be Christian, and led the persecution of those defined as “other.”
Why Did People Keep Rebelling Against the Tudors?
The Tudor period is known as one of England’s most tumultuous, with multiple domestic rebellions. Why did people consistently rebel against the Tudors?
England’s Greatest Victory? The Battle of Stamford Bridge
The Battle of Stamford Bridge between the last Viking invaders and the Anglo-Saxons under Harold Godwinson is a lesser-known battle of 1066, but it helped decide England’s fate.
How the Battle of Hastings Ended Anglo-Saxon England
The Battle of Hastings is considered one of the most important turning points in English history, but what really happened during the fateful conflict?
How Henry VII Took the English Throne & Founded the Tudors
How did an obscure Welsh nobleman end a civil war and seize the English crown to become Henry VII and the founder of the Tudor dynasty?
Beyond Human: Supernatural Beings in Medieval England
In medieval England, the line between the natural and supernatural was not defined. The weird, wonderful, and unexplained were ever-present.
The Real Robin Hoods: Two Criminal Gangs in Medieval England
Was Robin Hood real or a figure of legend? We’ll never know for sure, but the myth may originate with two notorious criminal gangs.