Why are there Ostrich Eggs in Medieval Churches?
The peculiar practice of placing ostrich eggs in medieval church sanctuaries has left historians and theologians puzzled for centuries.
Introducing the Medieval Fox with Paul Wackers
Foxes were everywhere in the medieval world and the medieval imagination. But where do the ideas we have about foxes come from? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Paul Wackers about why foxes were loved and hated in the real world, in fables, and in the Christian imagination of the Middle Ages.
Vikings and Cats
Did the Vikings keep cats as pets? A recent study reveals that felines were much more part of Norse society than previously believed.
Studying Medieval Animals: The Case Of The Panther
Using numerous images and literary references, this lecture will work towards constructing a cultural history of the medieval panther which takes account of both traditional and contemporary scholarly approaches.
New Medieval Books: Introducing the Medieval Fox
A look into how medieval people viewed the fox, through religious writings, bestiaries, hunting manuals, and literature, most notably the stories revolving around the famous literary character Reynard the Fox.
Yak milk was a popular drink in the Mongol Empire, study finds
The Mongol Empire reached the height of its power in the 13th century. It was also during this time that yak milk became a popular drink among its elite, a new study has found.
Medieval Pet Care
Medieval people kept pet dogs, cats and other animals. Here is the advice they gave about taking proper care of them.
New Medieval Books: Animal-Human Relationships in Medieval Iceland
With medieval Iceland being entirely rural, farms and their animals played a crucial role in their society. This book looks at domestic animals – horses, cattle and sheep – and how they are depicted in the sagas.
Why Cats were Hated in Medieval Europe
Cats in medieval Europe mostly had a bad reputation – they were associated with witches and heretics, and it was believed that the devil could transform himself into a black cat. How did this view of felines emerge?
Medieval Pet Names
People in the Middle Ages did keep pets – dogs, cats, and many other kinds of animals. They also found many interesting ways to give them names.
New Medieval Books: Kalīlah and Dimnah: Fables of Virtue and Vice
Kalīlah and Dimnah: Fables of Virtue and Vice By Ibn al-Muqaffaʿ Translated by Michael Fishbein and James E. Montgomery New York University Press…
“Monkey hangers”, Cockatrices, and Murderous Pigs: Animal Trials in the Middle Ages
The list of wrongdoings was long, ranging from crop damage to harm to an individual, and was dealt with in a variety of ways.
Medieval Storytime: Dogs
They’ve been our helpers, protectors, and best friends for thousands of years, but what did people in the Middle Ages think about our canine companions? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle shares some medieval writers’ thoughts about dogs.
New Medieval Books: Hawking Women: Falconry, Gender, and Control in Medieval Literary Culture
An examination of medieval texts about falconry and other literature and what it can tells us about attitudes towards women, and how women themselves challenged those views.
New Medieval Books: Wolves in Beowulf and Other Old English Texts
Wolves rarely get positive depictions in the Middle Ages, and the same is true for Old English texts.
The Vikings and the animals that came with them to Britain
When the Viking Great Army invaded England in 865, it was not just people who arrived. A new study of cremated bone fragments from burial mounds reveals that horses, dogs and other animals also made the North Sea crossing.
The Medieval Swan with Natalie Goodison
In the Middle Ages, swans could be found everywhere from ponds, lakes, and moats, to shields, tombs, and stories. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Natalie Goodison about how these beautiful birds have made a lasting impact on Western culture in wide-ranging and unexpected ways.
Madagascar’s human expansion 1,000 years ago linked to loss of large animals
A human genetic study links the first major expansion of humans on the island with the loss of large vertebrates.
Fantastic Beasts and How They Kill You
Stories of incredible and deadly beasts filtered back home in travel writing, legends, and bestiaries to amuse and astound readers who might never see these animals for themselves.
Prince Oleg and his Fateful Steed: A Story from Medieval Rus’
‘Prince! You will die of your beloved horse whom you ride.’
Medieval Horses with Anastasija Ropa and Timothy Dawson
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Anastasija Ropa and Timothy Dawson about one of the most important figures of the Middle Ages: the horse. From a knight’s trusty steed to the lowliest packhorse, these creatures were an integral part of medieval life and legend.
Polo Buddies and Rental Cabs: The Donkeys of Tang China and Their Poetic Destinies
The humble donkey was a constant presence across Tang China and a regular feature in the day-to-day business of people from all walks of life. How were these animals remembered by writers of the time?
How Black Rats colonised Europe – Twice
A new study explains the rodent colonised the continent on two occasions in the Roman and Medieval periods.
Medieval Storytime: Animals
For this week’s medieval storytime, Danièle reads a collection of descriptions, fables, and poems all featuring animals. From venomous toads to proud peacocks and malicious whales, the Middle Ages shares its moral worldview through the animal kingdom.
The Medieval Ass with Kathryn Smithies
Although you’d find them in cities and on farms, serving in wars and taking part in religious services, we’re not talking about people (or bottoms). This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Kathryn L. Smithies about one of the medieval world’s most hardworking creatures and symbols: the donkey.