The medieval era was defined by feats of courage that blurred the lines between legend and history. Below, we explore twenty remarkable acts of valour, showcasing the audacity, skill, and sacrifice of warriors, leaders, and unlikely heroes.
1. The Viking at Stamford Bridge (1066)
During the Battle of Stamford Bridge, a lone Norse berserker single-handedly barred the English army’s advance across a narrow wooden bridge. Armed with a Dane axe, he reportedly slew forty soldiers before being outwitted by an English spearman who floated beneath the structure and stabbed him from below. His defiance delayed Harold Godwinson’s forces long enough to allow his comrades to regroup, though they were ultimately defeated.
2. William Marshal at the Battle of Lincoln (1217)
At the age of 70, William Marshal, revered as England’s greatest knight, led a decisive cavalry charge against French invaders. Mounted and wielding his sword, he shattered enemy lines and captured their leader, securing England’s sovereignty. His leadership exemplified the martial prowess that earned him the title “The Marshal.”
3. Robert the Bruce at Loudoun Hill (1307)
Facing a larger English force, Robert the Bruce exploited the terrain of Loudoun Hill, channelling cavalry into a boggy death trap. Fighting at the forefront of his shield wall, he personally clashed with English knights, securing a pivotal victory in Scotland’s fight for independence.
4. John of Bohemia at Crécy (1346)
Blind and aged 50, King John of Bohemia ordered his knights to tie their horses to his and charge into the fray at the Battle of Crécy. He perished in the onslaught, but his chivalric sacrifice so moved Edward the Black Prince that he adopted John’s motto, “Ich Dien” (I Serve), into the Prince of Wales’ crest.
5. Bertrand du Guesclin’s Duel Victories (1350s–1370s)
A Breton knight known as “The Eagle of Brittany,” du Guesclin revived French morale during the Hundred Years’ War by challenging English champions to single combat. His victories in these brutal duels became symbols of resistance, culminating in his rise as Constable of France.
6. El Cid’s Final Ride (1099)
Rodrigo Díaz de Vivar, El Cid, died during the siege of Valencia. According to legend, his corpse was strapped to his horse, Babieca, and paraded before the Moors. The sight allegedly terrified the enemy into retreat, granting his men a posthumous victory.
7. Edward the Black Prince at Poitiers (1356)
Leading from the front, the Black Prince orchestrated a stunning English victory against France. His tactical genius and personal bravery culminated in the capture of King John II, a triumph that destabilised the French monarchy.
8. Richard the Lionheart at Jaffa (1192)
With just 54 knights and 400 infantry, Richard I stormed Jaffa to reclaim it from Saladin’s forces. Fighting with a sword in one hand and a crossbow in the other, he repelled waves of attackers, securing the city and a temporary truce in the Third Crusade.
9. The Knight of Glin vs. Cannon Fire (1521)
During the Siege of Glin Castle, Irish knight Thomas FitzGerald faced down English artillery. When a cannonball breached the walls, he stood defiantly in the gap, daring the gunners to fire again. His fearless stance demoralised the attackers, who withdrew.
10. Harald Hardrada at Fulford (1066)
The Viking king, aged 50, led a ferocious charge at the Battle of Fulford, cutting down Saxon warriors with his two-handed axe. Though victorious, he fell days later at Stamford Bridge, his death marking the end of Viking ambitions in England.
11. Jan Žižka’s One-Eyed Command (1420s)
Blind in both eyes, the Hussite general Jan Žižka revolutionised warfare with his wagenburg tactics, mobile fortresses of armoured wagons. Despite his disability, he directed battles from the front, never losing a single engagement.
12. Guy de Lusignan at Hattin (1187)
Besieged by Saladin’s forces in the desert, Guy de Lusignan fought tirelessly until his capture. Though defeated, his refusal to yield inspired later Crusaders, and his eventual release allowed him to reclaim a fragment of his legacy in Cyprus.
13. Knights of Malta’s Stand at Birgu (1565)
During the Great Siege of Malta, 700 knights held the fortress of Birgu against 40,000 Ottomans. They repelled assaults with sallies, Greek fire, and hand-to-hand combat, buying time for reinforcements to arrive and save Europe from invasion.
14. Balian of Ibelin at Jerusalem (1187)
With a skeleton force, Balian defended Jerusalem against Saladin’s army for two weeks. His tactical brilliance and negotiation skills secured safe passage for civilians, sparing the city from slaughter.
15. The Sword Duel of Jean de Carrouges (1386)
Accused of raping Carrouges’ wife, Jacques Le Gris faced the knight in a trial by combat. Before thousands, Carrouges slew Le Gris with a dagger after their swords broke, vindicating his wife and setting a legal precedent.
16. The Swiss Pikemen at Morgarten (1315)
Ambushing Austrian knights in a narrow pass, Swiss peasants used halberds to dismount and slaughter armoured foes. Their victory at Morgarten marked the rise of Swiss infantry as Europe’s most feared mercenaries.
17. Saint Maurice and the Theban Legion (3rd–4th Century)
According to legend, this Roman legion of Christian soldiers refused orders to persecute innocents. Martyred en masse, their defiance became a cornerstone of medieval hagiography, symbolising faith over tyranny.
18. Douglas and the Heart of Bruce (1330)
James Douglas, carrying Robert the Bruce’s heart in a casket, charged into Moorish lines at Teba. Though killed, his act fulfilled Bruce’s dying wish to crusade, immortalising both men in Scottish lore.
19. Zawisza Czarny at Grunwald (1410)
The Polish knight Zawisza “the Black” carved through Teutonic ranks at Grunwald, surviving the bloodiest battle of the Middle Ages. His exploits made him a national symbol of indomitable courage.
20. Joan of Arc at Orléans (1429)
A peasant girl turned military leader, Joan rallied French troops to break the English siege of Orléans. Wounded by an arrow, she returned to lead the final assault, turning the tide of the Hundred Years’ War.
Legacy of Valour
These acts transcended mere battlefield prowess, embodying the medieval ideals of honour, loyalty, and sacrifice. From the clang of axes at Stamford Bridge to Joan of Arc’s visionary leadership, they remind us that courage, whether physical, moral, or symbolic, shaped the course of history. Their stories endure not just as tales of war, but as testaments to the resilience of the human spirit.
