How did medieval warriors fight and win unruly battles? What weapons did they have at their disposal to defend against and conquer foreign enemies, walled cities under siege, and surprise attacks? This lecture will examine the mechanics of key weapons like the crossbow, trebuchet, and broadsword to better understand what it meant to fight for one’s life in the Middle Ages. Join us as we hear the testimony of victorious soldiers, defeated rulers, and ordinary people conscripted to defend their homelands, for better or worse.