Mike Loades

Mike Loades is a British weapons and general historian. He is also an author, presenter, action arranger and director. Loades has appeared as a primary presenter or supporting expert in many documentaries covering historical weapons. Behind the scenes, he has worked as an action arranger in over 100 screen productions. As a television presenter/host he is best known for the BBC series' Time Commanders, Weapons That Made Britain for Channel 4 and Weapon Masters for Discovery Networks. He wrote and presented the two-hour special Going Medieval for H2 channel in 2012.

On-screen, Loades is well known for demonstrating military history from all periods in a hands-on style. He is trained as a horseman, charioteer, archer, horse archer, jouster, swordsman and black powder Shooter.

Loades provided commentary about the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in a short documentary for the videogame Total War: Rome 2. While referring to Assassin's Creed, he said that he despite his age, he was "blown away" by the work that was put in the videogame industry to make their work more historically authentic.

Loades has also directed several television drama/documentary specials, including:


 * USS Constellation - Battling For Freedom, Indigo Films for History Channel 2007
 * The Hunt For Lincoln's Assassin, Indigo Films for Nat Geo Channel 2006
 * The Plot to Kill Jesse James, Indigo Films for History Channel 2006
 * The Plot to Kill Reagan, Indigo Films for History Channel 2005
 * Archery - Its History and Forms, Running Wolf Productions 1995 (video)
 * Blow by Blow Guide to Swordfighting, Running Wolf Productions 1991 (video)
 * Ancient Discoveries, History Channel 2006

Loades' has had the following books published:


 * Swords and Swordsmen 2010 Publisher: Pen and Sword Books ISBN 1-84884-133-7
 * The Longbow 17 September 2013