School of War Ep 238: James Titterton on Medieval Deception
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Oct 10, 2025 Historian James Titterton, an expert in medieval warfare and author of 'Deception in Medieval Warfare,' delves into the art of trickery from the High Middle Ages. He explores the moral tensions between chivalric honor and deceit in warfare. Discover how medieval oaths justified deception, the role of bribery and espionage, and the impact of intelligence on ambush tactics. Titterton shares fascinating examples of disguises and the evolution of deception as armies became more professionalized, revealing how these cunning strategies resonate even today.
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Castles Made Deception Useful
- The Central Middle Ages are defined by the dominance of knights and castles, making sieges the central form of warfare.
- Control of castles drove campaigns, so deception became a cost-effective path to victory.
Honor Versus Practical Victory
- Medieval leaders balanced ideals of honor and Christian morality with practical military needs to win with minimal losses.
- Deception could secure quick, low-cost victories but risked being portrayed as dishonorable.
Oaths Framed What Counted As Treachery
- Oath-breaking was central to medieval moral reasoning and could be used to justify breaking truces or promises.
- Combatants sometimes argued oath-breakers forfeited protections, legitimizing harsh responses.
