New Medieval Books: 1368: China and the Making of the Modern World
In 1368, a new dynasty took power in China, opening a chapter of growth, exploration, and rising influence on the world stage. This book takes readers through that vibrant era and follows the story into the centuries that saw China’s fortunes shift from expansion to decline.
A Summer in Castles – Bow & Blade, Episode 61
In this episode of the podcast, Michael and Kelly let us know where they have been the last few months – and this includes going to a lot of medieval castles and cities.
The Medieval Discovery of King Arthur and Guinevere at Glastonbury Abbey
Discover how twelfth-century monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to find the tomb of King Arthur and Guinevere. Explore Gerald of Wales’ dramatic account, rival chronicles, and the enduring legend of Arthur’s grave.
Online Course: The Devil’s Brood: The Angevin Empire 1154 – 1216
This online course, taught by James Barnaby, starts on September 18th, with live sessions each Thursday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm EST.
New Medieval Books: Johannes Gutenberg
This book explores the life and legacy of Johannes Gutenberg, the German craftsman credited with inventing movable type. It offers a nuanced perspective on his role in the history of printing while shedding light on what we truly know about his work and personal story.
Templars as Medieval Training Consultants
Discover how the Knights Templar acted as medieval training consultants during the Second Crusade, bringing discipline, tactics, and military innovation to save a faltering crusader army.
Did the Inquisition Allow Heresy to Endure? Lessons from the 1335 Trial in Giaveno
A 1335 trial in Giaveno reveals the flaws of the medieval Inquisition—fragmentation, community resistance, and gender bias—that allowed heresy to endure despite brutal methods.
New Online Course: The Inception, Evolution, and Legacy of Chivalry
This six-week course, taught by C.J. Adrien, begins September 16th. It features video presentations, reading resources and weekly live discussions with the instructor from 2:00 to 3:00 pm EST each Tuesday (All sessions are recorded so you can watch them at your convenience).
20 Phrases that Originated in the Middle Ages
Discover 20 common phrases with roots in the Middle Ages, from “no man’s land” to “red-letter day,” and explore their fascinating medieval origins.
From Cradle to Choir: Music in the Lives of Medieval Children
What songs did medieval children grow up with? From soothing lullabies sung by mothers to the first lessons at cathedral song schools, music was an essential part of childhood in the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: The Crown of Thorns
Among the most striking images of Jesus Christ is his mock coronation with the Crown of Thorns. But what if this was never a crown of thorns at all? This book explores the origins of the symbol, its transformation across centuries, and the ways medieval kings appropriated the imagery for their own authority.
Assassins and Templars: The Strategy of Death
Discover how the Assassins and Templars used fear, fanaticism, and the strategy of death to survive and shape power during the Crusades.
New Medieval Books: Barbarian Queens and the Conversion of Europe
Queens played a pivotal role in bringing Christianity to new parts of Europe – or at least that’s how the story goes. This book explores eight cases in which women married pagan rulers and worked to introduce and establish the Christian faith among their husbands and the people they ruled.
History in Flames with Robert Bartlett
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Robert Bartlett about the manuscripts we’ve lost by accident and by design, and how these precious documents are being preserved today.
Online Course – Calamity and Change: An Introduction to the Fourteenth Century
This five-week course, taught by Danièle Cybulskie, begins on Friday, September 12th. Live classes run each week at 1:00pm Eastern U.S. time (All sessions are recorded so you can watch them at your convenience).
New Medieval Books: Medieval Silesia
Silesia, a region in eastern Europe now divided between southwest Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany, was once a powerful duchy in the Middle Ages. This book explores its politics, society, and the people who shaped its history.
New Medieval Books: Madinat al-Zahra
In the 10th century, the wealthiest and most dazzling centre of Europe was Madinat al-Zahra, the Radiant City, built as the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba. This volume brings together fifteen essays that explore the history and legacy of this extraordinary palace-city, alongside the exquisite artefacts crafted within its walls.
10 Medieval Studies’ Articles Published Last Month
What’s new in medieval studies? Here are ten open-access articles published in August, which includes research about the depiction of Vikings in Icelandic sagas and fish farming in China.
Medieval Goddesses of the Moon: Chang’e and Diana
Explore how medieval writers and artists depicted the moon goddesses Chang’e and Diana, revealing their beauty, power, loneliness, and lasting influence in literature, art, and legend.
Why Did the Medieval Irish Bury Butter?
Why did the medieval Irish bury butter in peat bogs? Discover the surprising reasons behind bog butter, from preservation and protection to ritual offerings and curious modern finds.
How Carolingian Soldiers Learned to Fight
Discover how Carolingian soldiers learned the art of war, from feigned retreats to sword drills. A surviving manual and eyewitness accounts shed light on military training in the Early Middle Ages.
Priests and the Black Death: Faith Amid Plague
When the Black Death swept through Europe, priests were among those who paid the highest price. Risking their lives to comfort the dying, they stood on the front lines of faith against the deadliest plague of the Middle Ages.
How Did a Chinese Sword End Up on a French Crusader’s Tomb? The Secret of the d’Aluye Knight
A French crusader’s tomb in New York reveals a surprising secret — a carved Chinese sword. Discover how this rare weapon reached the d’Aluye knight and what it reveals about medieval global connections.
New Online Course: The Carolingians
Starting on Sunday, September 7th, is a new live course on The Carolingians – Explore their rise, influence, and decline through political, economic, and cultural themes, using primary sources for a deeper perspective.
