I am an independent scholar, researcher and writer who specialises in warfare in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, with particular reference to the military and political relationships between France and England during this period. I gained a PhD at the University of Sheffield (2001) on the subject of ‘The Portrayal of Warfare in Old French Literature, c. 1150–c.1270’ and wrote an academic book on the subject, but later made a sideways move to concentrate on writing works of popular history and historical fiction.

My book-length publications are:

War and Combat 1150–1270: The Evidence from Old French Literature (Boydell and Brewer, 2003)

Louis: The French Prince Who Invaded England (Yale University Press, 2016)

Matilda: Empress, Queen, Warrior (Yale University Press, 2019)

Plus other trade history written under a pseudonym and six historical novels.

My current project is a book provisionally entitled Two Dynasties, scheduled for publication by Yale University Press in 2022, which explores the relationship between the ruling houses of England and France in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

My twitter profile is @CathHanley and my personal website may be found at www.catherinehanley.co.uk