The Sirens: From Sage to Cannibal, From Goddess to Prostitute
Sultry and deadly seductresses, the Sirens are fearful, yet fascinating creatures that have captivated writers for centuries. But they weren’t always depicted this way – what were the origins of the Sirens and how did they become synonymous with death, destruction, and sin?
The Witcher: Magic, Monsters and Medievalism
The Witcher is the latest breakthrough series on Netflix. Should you watch it and what is its connection to the Middle Ages and medievalism?
A Quest for Medieval Romance Novelists
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle reaches out to romance writers, giving both information and resources for those who want to write their very own medieval novels.
Byzantine Spies and Espionage
Here, I will deal with the methods and dangers of information and intelligence flow that authorities in Byzantium could gather in local markets and fairs, important ports, and taverns and inns, and how they reacted to spies and espionage activity in these particular places.
Tales from the Hundred Years War: How captains used trickery to profit from war
This kind of war did not look like the campaigns of kings; more often captains used trickery to defeat their enemies and plunder the opposing soldiers’ accumulated treasure.
A Marriage in Medieval London: The Brother’s Tale
On January 15, 1472, in the case of Elizabeth Isaak versus John Bolde, the deposed witness was Elizabeth’s brother, Walter Isaak.
Medieval Manuscripts: Muhibbî Dîvânı: A Sultan in Love
From sultan to servant: in this collection of poems, Süleyman the Magnificent gives up all his powers to worship a girl “as tall as a cypress, with cheeks as red as roses”. And what better decoration than ever-changing gold and pastel floral patterns?
The Ten Most Important Weapons of the Middle Ages
What were the most important of these weapons – which of them had a significant impact on the Middle Ages? Here is our list of ten medieval weapons you should know about.
Medieval Manuscripts: The Book of Hours of Lorenzo de’ Medici
When his beloved daughter told him she would get married, Lorenzo de’ Medici, the greatest patron of Italian Renaissance culture, did not want to disappoint her. As a wedding gift, he commissioned a splendid manuscript as small as a postcard and as valuable as a jewel.
Queens of Infamy with Anne Thériault
In this first episode of 2020, Danièle connects with Anne Thériault, author of Longreads’ Queens of Infamy series, to talk about some of her favourite queens, saints, and foxes, and what it’s like to write infamous history on the internet in 2020.
The Vikings and their Filed Teeth
Were the Vikings really filing their own teeth and why?
What is Heraldry?
Heraldry, the use and identification of these symbols, developed slowly over the course of the Middle Ages, and expanded its use and reach across Europe, eventually settling in a language still used today for official coats of arms and flags.
Medieval Reads: Susan Cooper and positioning oneself in relation to the past
Novels like The Dark is Rising call upon the Middle Ages in the way someone might hum a bit of a favourite tune as they walk along the street.
Back to the Middle Ages: Medieval Time Travel in the Movies
Looking at time travel films as a genre, there seem to be more medieval time travel films than those to all other periods combined.
When England was under Interdict
Under King John’s rule, England was placed under papal interdict for over six years.
French castle for sale: Manoir de la Sausserie
In 1198, Eleanor of Aquitaine gave lands to Robert le Saucier, the bailiff of Domfront and kitchen officer of the English queen. Robert built a manor house, located near the Norman town of La Haute-Chapelle.
16th century Scottish castle for sale
The ruins of a Scottish castle dating back to the 16th century can be yours for just £130,000.
Top 10 Medieval News Stories of 2019
What were the most important news stories for medievalists from the past 12 months? Here is our list.
Year in Review
For the final episode of The Medieval Podcast in 2019, Danièle is joined by Peter Konieczny to talk about the some of the top medieval-related news stories and their personal highlights from the last year.
Combining Chivalry and Technology: The Last Knight and Making Marvels at the Metropolitan Museum
The classic view of museums are like churches: Solemn places in which the priesthood of Connoisseurship guards its treasures like holy relics and hands down interpretations like papal bulls.
Christmas and Food in the Middle Ages
Here are five foods associated with Christmas that originated in the Middle Ages.
Warriors, Warlocks, Widows: Women and Weapons in the Viking World
The associations between women and weapons in the Viking Age are far more intricate than some people would have expected.
Too Good Looking to Die: How to get saved from an execution in the Middle Ages
In the Mamluk state there were several ways to avoid being executed, including physical beauty.
Six modern foods with medieval origins
Many foods still enjoyed around the world were invented in the Middle Ages, such as these six foods and drinks.
Favourite Medieval Books from 2019
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle is joined by Peter Konieczny to talk about their favourite books on the Middle Ages that were published in 2019.