What’s New in Scandinavian Rune Stones
Danielle Turner reports on the papers from the session The World of Images of the Scandinavian Rune Stones
Teaching Math in the Middle Ages
Today I would like to talk about the places mathematics and mathematical pedagogy in particular appear in the Latin writing of the medieval world.
The Battle of Neville’s Cross as told in the Lanercost Chronicle
The year 1346 is remembered in England mostly for the Battle of Crecy, where King Edward III defeated the French forces in one of the most important battles of the Hundred Years War. That year also saw another major battle, this one fought on English soil.
Another Medieval Drinking Song
But bring us in good ale, good ale, and bring us in good ale,
For our blessed Lady’s sake, bring us in good ale!
Shell-keeps re-visited: the bailey on the motte?
This essay revisits the historiography, history and archaeology of shell-keeps, offering a critique both of past applications of the term and of the sites themselves.
The Sacred and the Profane: Understanding the Motives of the First Crusaders
Various explanations have been proposed to explain why tens of thousands of medieval men and women would travel several thousand miles and endure great hardship in order to try to reassert Christian control over the Holy Land.
Ten Castles that Made Medieval Britain: Tintagel Castle
The bleached bones of a blasted cliff-top castle, scourged by leaping sea and howling wind, Tintagel made as much from tempered dreams as carved stone still has the power to inspire.
30 Sagas in 30 Days on Twitter
This month, a scholar is using Twitter to tell the stories of thirty lesser known tales written by Icelanders.
The Medieval Magazine – Issue 34
In this week’s issue of The Medieval Magazine you will read about the Pictish stone carving Rhynie Man, how DNA is being used to track the movement of people during the Middle Ages, why the Templars still fascinate us, Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin, Tintagel Castle, and Book Curses.
The Medieval Magazine – Issue 5
In this issue of The Medieval Magazine we take a look at surprising rise of Stephen of Blois to become the King of England, just three weeks after the death of Henry I; ten unusual weapons from the Middle Ages, and what was funny in 13th century Iceland.
The Fool as Entertainer and Satirist, on Stage and in the World
In the Middle Ages he symbolized the vanity of human pretension, whereas the lord he served represented divine perfection; it was a neat image of the antithesis within man’s nature, as they conceived it, sublime and ridiculous together.
How to Make Ink in the Middle Ages
Creating everyday objects in the Middle Ages often took a lot time and effort. If you needed ink, for example, and had to make it yourself, it could be several weeks before you could dip your quill into the inkwell.
Top 10 Medieval Book Curses
Christ’s curse upon the crook who takes away this book.
Szczecin: Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes
My visit to Berlin included a quick stop across the border to Poland, to visit Szczecin and the Castle of the Pomeranian Dukes.
‘God Damn’: The Law and Economics of Monastic Malediction
Today monks are known for turning the other cheek, honoring saints, and blessing humanity with brotherly love. But for centuries they were known equally for fulminating their foes, humiliating saints, and casting calamitous curses at persons who crossed them.
Kissing Heaven’s Door: the Medieval Legend of Judas Iscariot
When we consider Judas Iscariot as he appears in the Bible in modern terms, we might think along the lines of a pantomime villain.
Curse or Blessing: What’s in the Magic Bowl?
I intend to look at magic bowls in order to see how and for what purpose they were used, and to get a glimpse at the way they worked and what hidden treasures can be found within them.
Which 16th-century Monarch Would You Be?
Find out which sixteenth century monarch most closely matches your style.
Simon Fraser University unveils its first medieval manuscript
Written in Latin on parchment, and dated to 1269, it features student notes scrawled in the margins, as well as amusing decorative drawings.
Fallen tree reveals medieval skeleton in Ireland
Last May a storm in northwest Ireland blew over a 215-year old tree. It also unearth an unusual find – the skeletal remains of a young man who lived nearly a thousand years ago.
Five Reasons We’re Still Fascinated by the Templars
What is it about the Templars that makes them so fascinating?
Using LEGO to show the history of medieval England
Learn more about the great new book Medieval Lego, by Greyson Beights
Recipes from The Tudor Kitchen
Get recipes on A Dysschefull of Snowe – Strawberries on Snow and Steamed Asparagus Spears in Orange Sauce
The Iconography of ‘Husband-beating’ on Late-Medieval English Misericords
More misericords depicting husband-beating survive in England than in other European countries, and their artistic profusion is mirrored in the rich vernacular tradition for which violent wives proved a favoured subject.
Review: The Bastard Executioner: Pilot, Parts 1 and 2
The Bastard Executioner is the latest TV series that medieval history lovers will be tuning into. Created by Kurt Sutter, who is best known for Sons of Anarchy, it promises a lot of blood, gore and violence.