Medieval Geopolitics: The Medieval Church as a Military Power
By the late 11th century the Roman Catholic Church began to evolve into a distinctive – and powerful – controller of military power.
Which translation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms should I read?
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the 14th-century historical epic, is one of the most widely read works in China. For people who cannot read the original Chinese text, several English translations are available. Here is a guide to your options.
A Medieval Astrology Guide
When is it a good time for fighting and arguing? When should you avoid medicines? Perhaps this astrological guide from the 15th century can give you some answers.
New Medieval Books: Word on the Street Edition
One of my favourite events each year is Toronto’s Word on the Street – where thousands of book sellers, authors, magazine publishers and readers gather for a day of selling and talking about the written word.
Working in the Middle Ages: The Medieval Clothier
Clothiers were the entrepreneurs at the heart of the cloth trade which became England’s leading industry in the late Middle Ages. No other industry created more employment or generated more wealth.
A View on the Middle Ages: The Last Defenders of Constantinople
The Last Defenders of Constantinople by Nikolaos Thessalos depicts Byzantine Emperor Constantine XI Palaeologus and his council of nobles. Constantine XI would perish during the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453.
A Game of Thrones … Fatimid Style
When Usama ibn Munqidh came to Cairo in 1144, he was hoping to restart a promising career as a military officer. Instead, he would find himself in the middle of a series of plots, intrigues, betrayals, murders, and street battles that would tear apart the capital of Egypt.
For the want of Emma: What if the Vikings had won the Battle of Stamford Bridge?
If you could alter history, change one subtle event, what would you pick? For a Viking fan, the answer might be as simple as it is iconic.
Medieval Geopolitics: The Medieval “Church-State”
If you’re interested in why the medieval Church did what it did – and how it was able to do so in the political sphere – I think you’ll enjoy this series.
Knights, Wizards, Enchantresses: The World of Arthurian Fantasy
From Merlin and Morgan le Fay to Here Lies Arthur. Minjie Su covers Here Be Dragons at the University of Oxford.
Castle for Sale in Western Canada
Get your own Castle-like home in the beautiful interior of British Columbia.
New Medieval Books: From the Monastery to the Sea
Five books about the medieval world for your consideration.
How to Become the King of England: 5 Tips from Stephen
How Stephen of Blois was able to go from Norman count to the King of England in less than a month.
What Would Be Your Medieval Career?
What would be your career be if you were born in the Middle Ages?
Making a copy of Njáls saga: the story of the Urðabók manuscript
Who scribed Urðabók? And for whom and what? Wawn aims at unveiling the story behind this little, modest manuscript.
Medieval Magical Spells against Theft
You can find dozens of examples of spells and charms from medieval manuscripts to help prevent you from being a victim of theft, or to catch a thief.
The Discovery of King Arthur and Guinevere at Glastonbury Abbey
Gerald of Wales tells the story of a remarkable discovery at Glastonbury Abbey in the late twelfth-century. Had the remains of King Arthur been found?
Medieval Movie Review: Outlaw King
Although it sticks to the medieval film playbook – mud, blood, and a bit of romance – it’s in the details that Outlaw King stands out, giving Robert the Bruce’s fight for independence a uniquely Scottish air.
New Medieval Books: From Carolingians to Japanese tales
Five recently published works, including two translations of medieval texts, and one book you can download for free.
Medieval Geopolitics: War in the Medieval Mind
How was war understood in late medieval culture?
Vikings, History, and Ourselves: Still Searching…
In the fall of 2017 a bombshell announcement was made that shook not only the academic world, but the general populace as well.
The many woes of a bishop: Augustine’s sermons and Caesarius of Arles
Like all his other works, Augustine’s sermons were taken across the Mediterranean and copied and recopied throughout the Middle Ages. A crucial link in this chain of sermon manuscripts was Caesarius of Arles, who lived from c. 470 to 542 AD.
Medieval Manuscripts: The Great Canterbury Psalter
The Great Canterbury Psalter, a masterpiece of late-twelfth-century English art and the last of a series of splendid psalters linked to Christ Church, Canterbury, is also the most important and ambitious creation known today of the oeuvre of the Catalan painter, Ferrer Bassa.
Medieval Youtube: Sweet sounds and how to fight like you were in the Middle Ages
Our monthly roundup of videos, including music, fighting and Sweden’s largest medieval festival.
