“I Shall Tell You of Fair Grace”: John Page and the Siege of Rouen
The harrowing events of the 1418 Siege of Rouen, as depicted in a medieval eyewitness poem, serve as the inspiration for the Soldier of Fortune novels, where John Page becomes a soldier, outlaw, and reluctant hero.
From Troy to Camelot: The Classical Origins of King Arthur
Explore how the Historia Brittonum and classical literature shaped the legends of King Arthur, from Trojan ancestry to medieval political identity in Wales and beyond.
New Medieval Books: Documenting Warfare
Administrative records offer a lot of insights into the Hundred Years’ War. This collection of 18 articles tells us about a wide range of topics, from ransoms to crimes on campaign.
The Bees of Byzantium: A 10th-Century Guide to Medieval Beekeeping
Discover how medieval Byzantines kept bees with practical advice from the 10th-century Geoponika, a rare farming manual that covers hives, honey, and the remarkable nature of bees.
New Medieval Books: Realms of the Round Table
This collection retells thirty stories from Arthurian literature, drawn from lesser-known medieval sources that reveal the rich and varied legacy of the Arthurian legend.
What Summer Was Like in the Middle Ages
Discover how people in the Middle Ages endured the heat, managed harvests, treated sunburns, and found ways to keep cool during the summer months.
Shoes in the Middle Ages
From turn shoes to poulaines, learn how medieval shoes reflected fashion, status, and politics in the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: History of the Arab Invasions: The Conquest of the Lands
Futuh al-Buldan is one of the most important primary sources for the early history of Islam. Written around the year 867, it chronicles the era of the Prophet Muhammad, and Muslim expansion into Syria, Egypt and Iraq.
An Introduction to Monastic Orders in the Middle Ages
Discover the major monastic orders that shaped medieval Europe, from Benedictines and Cistercians to Franciscans and Templars. This guide explores their origins, ideals, and lasting influence.
Johannes Gutenberg with Eric White
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Eric White about Johannes Gutenberg’s life, his early entrepreneurship, and the invention that changed the world.
Hildegard of Bingen’s Most Cryptic Creation: Her Unknown Language and Unknown Letters
Discover the mysterious language and alphabet created by Hildegard of Bingen—an extraordinary 12th-century mystic who claimed her “Unknown Language” and “Unknown Letters” came to her in visions.
Were there Conspiracy Theories in the Middle Ages?
Did conspiracy theories exist in the Middle Ages? Exploring how medieval plots, suspicions, and scapegoating gave rise to early forms of conspiratorial thinking.
New Medieval Books: The Science of Music
Did you know there was a vibrant music scene in 13th-century Baghdad, even during the time of the Mongol conquest? This book traces the life of a prominent musical scholar and explores what his works reveal about education and intellectual life in the medieval Islamic world.
Can You Solve These Medieval Labyrinths?
Explore a dozen medieval manuscript labyrinths and uncover surprising facts about their origins, meanings, and hidden designs. Can you find your way through?
New Medieval Books: Shortage and Famine in the Late Medieval Crown of Aragon
Food security was a major concern for any medieval society. This book examines how individuals and communities responded to this challenge, particularly during periods of famine.
Evolving English Strategies during the Viking Wars
Alfred’s success was based on his ability to plan strategically on a grand scale, and that Æthelred II’s failure was due, at least in part, to his and his advisors’ inability to develop a coherent strategy against a similar threat.
New Medieval Books: Madrid
This book traces the history of Madrid from prehistoric settlements to the present day, charting its rise to become the heart of one of the largest empires of the early modern world.
Can You Solve These Medieval Riddles?
Test your wit with 10 medieval riddles by Saint Aldhelm, a 7th-century English bishop and poet. Can you solve these ancient brainteasers?
How to Grow Organic Food like Medieval Farmers
Discover how medieval farmers protected their crops using natural pesticides, prayers, and even insect excommunications—early organic farming at its finest.
The Medieval Church as a Political Power
Discover how the medieval Church operated as a political power—ruling territories, collecting taxes, and challenging kings across Latin Christendom.
New Online Course: The Normans in Europe
Explore the development of the Normans in Normandy, England, and the Mediterranean and learn about their political and cultural achievements. The five-week course starts June 13th.
Inventing the Renaissance with Ada Palmer
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Ada Palmer about Petrarch, Machiavelli, atheism, and how we should look at the period formerly known as the Renaissance.
The Most Popular Girls’ Names in Tudor England
Discover the top girls’ names in 16th-century England, based on parish records. See how names like Elizabeth, Joan, and Mary rose and fell in popularity.
The Sword in the Stone and Other Legendary Blades of the Middle Ages
Explore medieval swords like Excalibur, Joyeuse, and Durendal, where legend, miracle, and history meet in tales of power and mystery.
