The Favourite Foods of Medieval Europeans
What did people eat in medieval Europe? From papal kitchens to royal courts, two 15th-century sources reveal the favourite foods of Europeans—from cheese soup for the French to liver mash for Hungarians.
Weird Medieval Job: The Criers of the Dead
Meet the “criers of the dead,” professional mourners who once roamed medieval towns announcing deaths with bells and prayers. Explore how these strange but vital figures shaped the soundscape of mourning in the Middle Ages.
Mieszko I and the Making of Medieval Poland
Mieszko I transformed a network of Slavic tribes into the foundations of medieval Poland. Using early chronicles and recent archaeological evidence, this article traces the rise of the Piast dynasty and the emergence of a powerful Central European state.
What Can Cards Teach Us? Connecting Truco, Tarot, and Lotería
Explore how playing cards evolved from medieval Mamluk designs to modern games and divination tools.
When the Assassins Came to Damascus
In 1113, Mawdud of Mosul was assassinated in Damascus by the Nizaris, exposing the deep rivalries between Turkic rulers and the Assassins’ growing influence. This account explores how politics, betrayal, and religious divisions shaped power in medieval Syria.
How to Make a Medieval Omelet
Explore how to make an omelet, medieval-style, from a 14th-century Egyptian cookbook.
Online Course: Social Hierarchies in Early Byzantium
A four-week course exploring the social world of Early Byzantium — where emperors ruled, clergy guided, soldiers fought, and commoners toiled. Explore how religion, law, and the economy shaped identity and mobility, bringing primary sources vividly to life.
Medieval Animal Names with Ben Parsons
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Ben Parsons about what medieval people named their pets and working animals, how we know about them, and which animals are still called by their medieval nicknames.
Inside Medieval Paris: A City of Wealth, Merchants, and Artisans
In the Middle Ages, Paris stood at the heart of Europe’s luxury trade. Behind its grand churches and royal palaces was a bustling network of merchants, artisans, and aristocrats whose wealth shaped the city’s rise to prominence.
The Sieges of Rome (410 & 455) – Bow & Blade, Episode 62
As the Eternal City’s power waned, enemies closed in. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly delve into two devastating sieges of Rome — one led by the Goths, the other by the Vandals.
The Men Who Fought with King Harold at Hastings
When Harold Godwinson marched to Hastings on 14 October 1066 he brought with him thousands of men. Who were these warriors and why did they fight on behalf of their king?
New Medieval Books: The Queenship of Mathilda of Flanders, c. 1031-1083
Mathilda of Flanders was the Duchess of Normandy and, following the Norman Conquest, became Queen of England. This book explores her life and achievements as one of the most powerful and influential women of the eleventh century.
The Mongol Wrestler Princess: The Story of Qutulun
Discover the extraordinary life of Qutulun, the Mongol princess who never lost a wrestling match. Explore how this undefeated warrior and daughter of Qaidu Khan shaped politics, warfare, and legend in the Mongol Empire.
New Medieval Books: Boccaccio
An exploration of the life and career of Giovanni Boccaccio, one of Italy’s most celebrated writers. This book examines his family background and tumultuous professional path, revealing how his personal experiences shaped masterpieces such as The Decameron.
When French TV Poached Robin Hood
A 1960s French TV hit, Thierry la Fronde, reimagined Robin Hood during the Hundred Years’ War—turning an English outlaw tale into a story of French resistance, national pride, and political subtext.
When the Assassins Came to Aleppo
Learn how Ridwan of Aleppo allied with the Assassins, allowing them to spread their influence and carry out their first missions in medieval Syria.
New Medieval Books: The Observations of Gilles le Bouvier
Written in the mid-15th century by a French diplomat, this newly translated report offers more than just a glimpse of Europe’s lands and regions. Part travel guide and part survey, it provides a concise yet vivid look at the peoples and states of the medieval world.
Can You Solve These Ten Medieval Mathematical Riddles?
Explore ten medieval math riddles written by Alcuin of York, the great scholar of Charlemagne’s court. These clever puzzles from the early Middle Ages reveal how medieval students learned logic, numbers, and reasoning — and they’re still fun to solve today.
New Medieval Books: The World Until 1400 According to Ibn Khaldun
Can a historian from over 600 years ago still guide us today? This book explores Ibn Khaldun’s groundbreaking ideas on global history and reveals how his insights continue to inform modern historical thinking.
Medieval Wolves with Elizabeth Marshall
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Elizabeth Marshall about where we find wolves in medieval sources, how early English writers saw them, and how wolves both add to – and steal – language.
New Medieval Books: Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans 1452-1461
This book presents a translation of a 15th-century chronicle, a key primary source for the study of the Wars of the Roses.
New Medieval Books: The Birth of the Anglo-Saxons
This book explores the rise of the Kingdom of Mercia, focusing on the reigns of Æthelbald (716–757) and Offa (757–796). It shows how Mercia became a dominant power in early medieval Britain, laying crucial foundations for the emergence of England.
The Trapezuntine Twenty+ Years’ Anarchy: The Least Known Roman Civil War
For twenty years, medieval Trebizond was torn apart by assassinations, coups, and betrayals that set emperor against emperor. This little-known 14th-century civil war shows how chaos and ambition shaped one of the last outposts of Rome.
10 Fun Facts about Medieval Fashion
Discover 10 fun facts about medieval fashion, from straw hats to slipper-socks, revealing the surprising trends that shaped style in the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: New Stories Told while Trimming the Wick
This collection of 22 short stories from the early Ming Dynasty holds the distinction of being the first work of fiction ever banned in China. Fortunately, these tales—ranging from tender romances to eerie encounters with the supernatural—have survived for us to enjoy today.