Medieval News
What we are learning about the Newport Medieval Ship
A team of maritime historians and archaeologists, led by academics at the University of Bristol, has published compelling new evidence about the remains of the largest and best-preserved late medieval ship ever discovered.
Large-scale whaling in northern Scandinavia may date back to 6th century
The intensive whaling that has pushed many species to the brink of extinction today may be several centuries older than previously assumed. This view is held by archaeologists from Uppsala and York whose findings are presented in the European Journal of Archaeology.
Cadw to take over Caergwrle Castle
Cadw, the historic environment service of the Welsh Government, has reached an agreement to become the custodian of Caergwrle Castle. This will be forty-third castle in Cadw’s care, but the first to be added in 25 years.
Campaign for Second Viking Coloring Book is Live on Kickstarter
Help support the creation of Volume 2 of The Viking Coloring Book on Kickstarter.
Stolen Christopher Columbus letter found, returned to Spain
US government officials announced last week the recovery of a 525-year-old copy of Christopher Columbus’ letter describing his discoveries in the Americas.
Medieval Articles
Voyagers in the Vault of Heaven: The Phenomenon of Ships in the Sky in Medieval Ireland and Beyond
This paper explores the phenomenon of ships voyaging in the sky. Such fantastical sightings are considered primarily in an early medieval Irish context, but evidence from places as widely separated in time and place as thirteenth-century England and eighteenth-century Canada is also addressed.
Viking invasions, a French failure?
Vikings never interested French Historians. Pagan, illiterate, barbaric, Germanic, everything was despicable in the eyes of the French Historians of the 19th century.
Dress pins from Anglo-Saxon England
This thesis examines the development, production and function of dress pins in Anglo- Saxon England.
The Day the Sun Turned Blue: A Volcanic Eruption in the Early 1460s and Its Possible Climatic Impact—A Natural Disaster Perceived Globally in the Late Middle Ages?
Strange atmospheric phenomena visible all over Europe in September 1465 are interpreted as the result of a volcanic dust veil, possibly originating from a re-dated eruption of Kuwae in Vanuatu, in the southwestern Pacific.
Rómverja saga: an introduction and a translation
Rómverja saga is an Old Icelandic translation of three Latin works on historical themes from the classical period. In this thesis, I provide the first English translation of this little-known text in the hope that it might prove a resource for scholars interested in the reception of Latin literature in the medieval period.
All about the Middle Ages
Teenage Rebellion in the Middle Ages: How Salimbene de Adam became a Franciscan
It is a popular story – the teenage son defying his parents and doing something very rebellious. It could be using drugs, getting a tattoo, or falling into with the wrong type of people. Back in the thirteenth-century, the rebellious son might become a Franciscan!
History as Wonder
Does the connection of wonder with changes and origins mean that history begins with wonder too?
Three Fairy Tale Romances for Valentine’s Day
What is Valentine’s Day without a little fairy tale romance? For your Valentine’s Day enjoyment, here are three medieval romances involving fairies.
How and why did the Viking Age begin?
The question of how the Viking Age started has been much debated by historians. One of the leading scholars in the field, Neil Price, is looking to address this fundamental question with his latest project – The Viking Phenomenon.
The Duel between Guy of Steenvoorde and Iron Herman
…both fought bitterly. But Guy knocked his adversary from his horse and kept him down easily with his lance as he was struggling to get up. Then his opponent, running nearer, ran Guy’s horse through with his sword, disemboweling it.
Úlfhams rímur: A Tale of An Accursed Prince
An accursed king of Gotland is betrayed by his queen to an untimely death. The young prince, the legitimate heir to the throne, is imprisoned in a burial mound of a blood-drinking (un)dead shieldmaiden until …
How Much Do You Know About Ancient and Medieval Africa?
Test your knowledge and see if you can guess these sites of ancient and medieval Africa
Animals in the Middle Ages: The Monkey
‘Monkeys are animals that like to imitate everything they see men doing. They feel happy when there is new moon, and with the full and waning moon, they get sad and filled with melancholy.’
If You Had Married King Henry VIII…….What Would Your Fate Have Been?
Is it off with your head? or do you stand a chance of surviving?
Beowulf in 100 Tweets
How Elaine Treharne took over 3000 lines of Beowulf and made it into 100 tweets.
What Melee Weapon Would You Use On A Medieval Battlefield?
Discover which weapon would be best for you during a medieval battle!
Trial by Combat: The Bloody Business of Justice
As a community of the faithful, medieval people believed that no matter how evenly or unevenly matched the fighters were, the one who was innocent would prevail, but trial by combat was not often a black-and-white thing.
New Medieval Books: Beowulf to da Vinci
Five new books to take you on a journey back into the Middle Ages.
The Medieval Magazine: Royal Mistresses (Issue 51)
This week we take a look at royal mistresses in the Middle Ages, including a profile of Alice Perrers, the infamous lover of King Edward III.
Ten Medieval Saints You May Not Have Heard of
Sometimes overshadowed, sometimes eccentric, and perhaps a little unbelievable – here are ten medieval saints you should know more about.
NEW! The Medieval Magazine, No. 111: HAGIOGRAPHY
In this issue, we look at hagiography, the medieval cult of saints, alchemy, visit Prague and visit del Escorial, Spain.
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