Covered in Blooms: Espionage, Savari de Mauléon and the Capture of Niort Castle in 1205

Disguising appearances and activities are essential aspects of covert operations and espionage. Here, is a story about one early summer covert operation of 1205. Niort Castle In May 1205 Savari de Mauléon, described by at least one chronicler as a ‘dear friend’ of King John, was campaigning in France on behalf of the English king …

“A little bird told me”: Spies, Women and Medieval Espionage

Some of you will know that I have started working on a new book on spies and espionage in the early medieval world. It’s a ‘fun’ one as I tend to describe it, with which I mean it is aimed at a more general audience. Here, I will present some of the material I am …