From the Archives: How Medieval Archers Got Rich! 🎯
This one’s an oldie but a goodie! Ever wondered how English archers could strike it rich on the battlefield? In this episode, I dive into the fascinating world of ransom and plunder — where capturing a knight could be like winning the medieval lottery!
Hidden fortunes, battlefield loot, and the real rewards of war — all explained right here. If you missed it the first time round, now’s your chance to catch one of our favourite early History Squad episodes!
#MedievalHistory #Archery #TheHistorySquad
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There Will Be Blood…
Hey everyone! For those of you in and around Saskatoon, here’s something a bit special — I’ll be appearing live at the Museum of Antiquities for their Medieval Times Fayre this Saturday!
I’ll be sharing the gruesome – but fascinating – realities of medieval medicine and battlefield life.
If you’re nearby, come say hello — it’s always amazing to meet some of The History Squad community in real life.
Where: Museum of Antiquities, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon
When: Saturday 27th September from 12-5pm (my performance times will be 1pm & 3pm)
Hope to see some of you there!
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The Battle of Britain at 85.
Here's a video I made a few years back about one of the RAF’s finest hours — but also one of its darkest times.
This one’s personal: I filmed it in my local museum, the Saskatoon Museum of Military Artifacts in Canada, sharing the story of the“Battle of Britain,” and the moving account of a widow whose RAF pilot husband never came home.
Lest we forget.
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I can hardly believe it, but it’s been 6 months since my last Hundred Years’ War episode — and the wait is finally over!
We’ve just released Episode 19: Joan of Arc at Orléans | How the Siege Changed the Hundred Years’ War. Seven months of bloodshed, a desperate city on the brink… and then a young woman arrives who changes everything.
⚠️ YouTube doesn’t always send out notifications, even if you’ve clicked the bell — so I thought I'd link it here in the Community tab.
Thanks for sticking with us — we can’t wait to hear what you think of this one!
Watch it here:
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The Union Flag (or Union Jack!) has been making headlines again in the UK media. It reminded me of a video I posted a few years back, exploring the history of the flag, why it looks the way it does, and what it means to me after my time in the British Army.
It’s one of those symbols that sparks debate — so tell me, do you call it the Union Flag or the Union Jack? 🇬🇧
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Look what we stumbled across today — one of our early archery videos, and it still holds one of the best lessons I ever learned. 🏹 Simple, powerful, and surprisingly overlooked.
In it, I share the story of an American Ranger sergeant who spotted something different in the way I shot a pistol… and it all went back to my training as a longbowman. That secret ended up winning us a trophy — for the Americans! 🇬🇧➡️🇺🇸
If you’ve ever wondered how medieval archers managed such deadly accuracy, this is the video for you
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A Story You Have To See — Double Survivor of Hiroshima & Nagasaki!
80 years ago, on August 6 and 9, 1945, Tsutomu Yamaguchi was caught in both atomic blasts within just three days. Miraculously, he survived—twice—earning the title of the only officially recognized “double hibakusha” by the Japanese government.
This video dives into his extraordinary journey—from carrying his broken body back to work in Nagasaki, to becoming a powerful voice for peace and nuclear disarmament in his final years. It’s a human story that cuts deep - the resilience, the burden, the responsibility to tell it.
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On this day in 1588 — The English fleet met the mighty Spanish Armada.
To mark the anniversary, step aboard the Golden Hind and relive the clash through my eyes as an Elizabethan sailor who sailed with Sir Francis Drake himself. Salt spray, cannon fire, and courage in the face of a vast invasion fleet... Watch the story unfold in a video we made more than 20 years ago for the examination board OCR, long before we started on YouTube.
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Exclusive access, secret staircases, and stories hidden in stone...
Our latest video is live, and it’s a special one for me. Warwick Castle isn’t just another historic site—I used to work there. And this time, I’ve gone back to take you behind the scenes.
From rooms closed to the public to personal memories, forgotten tales, and strange carvings tucked away in shadowy corners—it’s Warwick like you’ve never seen it.
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JUST 10 SPOTS PER TOUR!!
This August, I’ll be leading an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour inside Bunker 24 at the Tunnels of Moose Jaw – and you’re invited!
Date: August 14 & 15
Time 6:30 PM start
Tunnels of Moose Jaw, SK, Canada
This is your chance to explore Cold War secrets, hidden corridors, and hear some very personal stories from my time in the military during that tense era.
Only 10 people per tour, so it’s going to be close-knit, atmospheric—and unlike anything else you’ll experience this summer.
Tickets are limited → tunnelsofmoosejaw.com/25th-anniversary-tours
If you're anywhere near Saskatchewan, come and join me—I'd love to meet you!
Check out the short video here → youtube.com/shorts/5okHRaXZ_vM
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Enjoy history and have some fun with storyteller and presenter Kevin Hicks. Kevin has a great talent for inspiring people with his uncanny knack of making history fun, fascinating and relevant. Uploading every two weeks on a Friday, his unique storytelling style makes history so much more interesting for audiences of all ages.
A decorated veteran soldier and policeman from England, Kevin now lives in Canada. Long since retired from uniform he’s been in the history business for over 30 years and now delivers history videos on YouTube and LIVE webinars.
Join us on Patreon if you'd like to support the channel further.
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Website: www.historysquad.ca
15 October 2010