In this issue…we look at St. Patrick and werewolves, try to understand Icelandic heart eating, take a trip to Cordoba Spain, and cure dog bites the medieval Welsh way!
New Medieval Books: From Kitchens to Caves
March 17, 2018 by
Five of the latest publications about the medieval world.
Medieval Geopolitics: The Two Types of Warfare in Medieval Europe
March 16, 2018 by
In this, the first post of the Medieval Geopolitics series, I take a look at the two types of political war fought in medieval Europe.
The Romance of the Past? Nineteenth-Century Medievalism and the Tournament
March 15, 2018 by
The nineteenth century saw a rebirth of fascination with the Middle Ages, although this interest often had more to do with romance than reality. A perfect medium for the expression of this nineteenth-century medievalism was the tournament.
Seven Wonders of the Medieval Far North
March 13, 2018 by
By Minjie Su Imagine that you are Scandinavian sailor, and that you earn your living on the bellowing waves. Every summer, you and your mates travel from port to port, city to city, trading with the locals, perhaps also doing a bit raiding and fighting. Since your life depends on it, it’s not hard to […]
How was music invented? A medieval answer
March 11, 2018 by
Have you ever wondered how music was invented? Apparently, people in the Middle Ages thought about this question too, and they came up with several interesting answers.
The Medieval Magazine: (Volume 4: No. 4): Issue 106
March 10, 2018 by
In this issue, we look medieval cannibalism, dietary advice to a king, animal sex in art, the medieval precinct of St. Paul’s, visit Dorchester Abbey, and look at the life of Edward II.
The Women around an Emperor: Anne of Brittany
March 8, 2018 by
In the fifth in a series of features exploring the early modern women whose lives intersected in some way with that of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, Natalie Anderson examines the life of Anne of Brittany.
New Medieval Books: From Ironmaking to Psalters
March 4, 2018 by
Five recently publishing books covering the Middle Ages – taking you from Ireland to Germany and from Sicily to Norway.
Who was Christine de Pizan?
March 3, 2018 by
Danièle Cybulskie talks about an awesome fifteenth-century female writer: Christine de Pizan.
Exploring the world of colourful medieval cuisine
March 1, 2018 by
Colour often has a great influence on how we perceive the food we eat. It can make food appear more appetising, or even warn that something is wrong. This was just as true for diners in the Middle Ages as it is for modern consumers.
The Spiritual Athlete: Elizabeth of Spaalbeek
February 27, 2018 by
Elizabeth stands out, though, in the sheer physical strength and flexibility shown by her ability to hold postures such as lying down with her head and shoulders elevated for an extended time – an incredible feat of core strength!
Learn Medieval History Online
February 26, 2018 by
Have you always wanted to study medieval history but not had the time?
Cumans in Kingdom Come: Deliverance
February 26, 2018 by
A new Czech video game – Kingdom Come: Deliverance – offers a realistic medieval simulator. Billed as a serious attempt to portray medieval life and history in general it certainly provides greater visibility to the Middle Ages, especially for events and peoples eastward from Vienna. However, it also features Cuman warriors in the role of the token bad guys, and in doing so miss an opportunity to present this people and their medieval history accurately.
How to Get Away with Murder in the Middle Ages
February 24, 2018 by
The circumstances of the case show just how easy it could be to get away with murder in the Middle Ages.
Quiz: The Art of Renaissance Florence
February 22, 2018 by
Here are twelve works of art from Florence between the 13th and 16th centuries. Do you know which artist created them?
Sumanguru Kante: The King with two Mothers
February 20, 2018 by
The recently translated account of The Epic of Sumanguru Kante offers some fascinating stories, including a description of how this West African ruler was born to two mothers.
7 Devious Ways to Defeat a Medieval Army
February 18, 2018 by
Could you defeat a medieval army without resorting to a clash of arms? A 10th century Byzantine military manual offers several tricks that could be used to devastate your enemy.
New Medieval Books: From China to Iceland
February 18, 2018 by
Five new books taking you throughout the medieval world.
Quiz: The Golden Age of Piracy
February 16, 2018 by
Criminals of the sea, desperate sailors or romantic heroes? How much do you really know about pirates?
Quiz: Strange Moments in History
February 16, 2018 by
Sometimes fact can be stranger than fiction and history is littered with strange tales of woe, mirth and the bizarre. Can you separate fact from fantasy in these 20 questions?
The Butterfly Lovers: A Classic Chinese Love Story
February 14, 2018 by
The earliest written record of the lovers is traced back to about 700AD, when the Tang Dynasty was reigned over by Empress Wu Zetian and was renamed as the (Restored) Zhou Dynasty.
Medieval Manuscripts: Seven Songs for an Absent Lover
February 13, 2018 by
The Pergamino Vindel leaf is famous for its 13th century collection of seven songs written in the voice of a young woman awaiting her absent lover.
A Grand Gesture: Henry VIII and the Westminster Tournament
February 13, 2018 by
In February, 1511, Henry VIII held a large and lavish tournament at Westminster to honour his wife, Katherine of Aragon, and his newborn son. Natalie Anderson takes a look at this romantic gesture and how it was memorialised.
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