Edward Dallingridge: Builder of Bodiam Castle
The most contentious issue regarding Bodiam Castle has centred on Dallingridge’s motivation in building the castle. Why would a member of the gentry build such an impressive castle at this particular time in Southern England?
Boys’ Names from Medieval London (not the usual ones!)
Looking to go back to the Middle Ages to name your newborn son? But you don’t want to go with the names everyone knows. Try these ten names!
Get ready to play ‘Bridge Constructor Medieval’
On May 1st, HeadUp Games will be releasing the video game app Bridge Constructor Medieval for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
The history of foxglove poisoning, was Edward IV a victim?
The history of foxglove poisoning, was Edward IV a victim? Peter Stride (University of Queensland School of Medicine, Australia) Fiona Winston-Brown (Librarian, Redcliffe…
Girls’ Names from Medieval London (not the usual ones!)
Looking for that great ‘medieval’ name for your newborn daughter? Here are ten names from medieval London that you may never had heard of!
A Medieval Handbag fit for an Ilkhan Queen
This handbag (or shoulder bag) was made in the Iraqi city of Mosul between 1300 and 1330.
Lost medieval village discovered in Scottish borderlands
An archaeological team working in southern Scotland have uncovered the remains of a village that existed between the 14th and 16th centuries.
Boethius’s Misguided Theodicy: The Consolation of Philosophy
Anicius Boethius’s The Consolation of Philosophy (c. 524) is a bold attempt to reconcile the gravity of the author’s imprisonment and impending death with a world governed by a just God.
The Economy of Early Medieval Ireland
The Old Irish law tracts have been the subject of many serious studies. In the early twentieth century the forensic philology of the great European Celticists, such as Rudolf Thurneysen or Kuno Meyer, prepared the ground for later philologists, such as Daniel Binchy and Liam Breatnach.
Stains on shining armour: Perceptions of chivalry during the reign of Edward III, 1327-1377
How did chivalry influence the life of a knight in the fourteenth century and how were the ideals of chivalry reflected in practice?
‘Just War’ and ‘Holy War’ in the Middle Ages
The current paper examines the issue of medieval war ethics from the perspective of the Byzantine case-study.
A Game of Power: Courtly influence on the decision-making of Emperor Theodosius II (r. 408-450)
The aim of this thesis is to uncover the workings and levels of courtly influence on Theodosius II’s (r. 408-450) decision-making, but also, through analysis of the material by using modern theories, to gain a deeper understanding of the courtly structures, power, and dynamics at play at his court in Constantinople.
‘Forgive me for all I have done and all I must do’: Portrayals of Negative Motherhood in George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones, A Clash of Kings and A Storm of Swords
I will argue that Martin both transgresses traditional high fantasy narratives but also employs other stereotypes found in general literature regarding motherhood and female power, often negative in tone.
What to See in Westminster Abbey
A review and tour of Westminster Abbey
A Medieval Jewellery Set from the British Museum
Sue Brunning of the British Museum talks about a medieval jewellery set you can see at their new Early Medieval gallery.
Enabling Love: Dwarfs in Old Norse-Icelandic Romances
Many of these romances deal not merely with love and adventure but also with dwarfs. But how do dwarfs fit in with the romantic idealism of these narratives? What exactly is their function?
Was a Woman the first editor of the Qur’an?
A recent study suggests that Hafsa bint ‘Umar, one of the wives of the Prophet Muhammad, had a crucial role in editing and codifying the Qur’an and was likely the one of the first people to have kept a written version of the religious text.
What to See at The Tower of London
Here is a list of our ‘Must sees’ and things you can skip if you’re pressed for time when you tour the Tower of London.
Merovingian Movies Mania (Part 1)
This article is part of a series looking at movies filmed about the continental Age of Migrations
The Battle of Clontarf – then and now
HistoryHub and University College Dublin have teamed up to create two-part video series to commemorate the 1000th anniversary of the Battle of Clontarf.
Is the story of the Battle of Clontarf more fiction than fact?
The Cogadh Gaedhel re Gallaibh is considered one of the most important sources about the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. However, new research is suggesting the tale is based more on the Trojan War than on historical sources.
Unlocking the secrets to Sweden’s Holy King
Researchers in Sweden have opened the casket of King Erik IX, and hope to analyze his bones to understand more about the health of the twelfth-century ruler and to even make sure these remains are his.
Old St. Paul’s Cathedral of London
It was the fourth church to be built on the site on Ludgate Hill and the presence of the shrine of St. Erkenwald made the church a pilgrimage site in medieval times.
Charles the Fat and the Viking Great Army: The Military Explanation for the End of the Carolingian Empire
In late July 885 a large Viking fleet gathered at the mouth of the River Seine and began to move upstream in the direction of Paris.
Gesta Danorum and the Wendish Crusade
The Wendish Crusade from 1147 marks the beginning of ‘Holy Wars’ fought against the Balto-Slavic and Finno-Ugric populations from the Baltic See.