The Starving Scholar: A Medieval Satire
A 12th-century Byzantine poem by Theodore Prodromos mocks the false promises of education through the voice of a hungry scholar who finds his purse full of parchment instead of coin.
Academic Freedom, Medieval Style (and What It Tells Us Today)
Medieval universities were hotbeds of privilege, power, and the occasional riot—where students could get away with murder and still be protected by the Church. Today’s academic freedom debates may seem new, but they echo centuries-old struggles over who controls knowledge.
Medieval University Life Was Rough—Just Ask the Freshmen
Medieval university life was anything but dull—freshmen endured brutal hazing rituals, public humiliations, and even bizarre traditions involving feces, all in the name of scholarly initiation.
New Medieval Books: Sigismund
The Latin text and English translation of a letter from the future Pope Pius II to the Duke of Austria, written in the year 1443 and focusing on how to improve oneself through learning.
What Did Education Look Like in Medieval Iceland?
How did education flourish in medieval Iceland, a land without cities or universities? Discover how Icelanders nurtured their intellectual heritage through informal fosterage and cathedral schools, shaping some of the most renowned sagas and poems of the medieval world.
The Well-Laden Ship: Medieval Proverbs
This week, Danièle and Peter Konieczny share profound – and profoundly odd – medieval proverbs from one of their favourite books of the Middle Ages: The Well-Laden Ship.
Medieval teachers complaining about their students
It is not too difficult to come across teachers talking about how bad their students are. However, even in medieval times there was a lot to complain about when it came to student performance.
Dear Dad, Send Money – Letters from Students in Medieval Times
If you have a son or daughter attending university, most likely you will be getting a message from them asking for money. Apparently, this is part of a long tradition that goes back to the beginning of universities in the Middle Ages.
Education in the Middle Ages
Let’s have a five-minute look at medieval education.
Learning to Read and Write: Women’s Education in the Middle Ages
This article explores the ins and outs of female literacy in the Middle Ages.
The Medieval University
It’s back to school time. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle tells us about life in the medieval university. What did students learn, what was expected of them, and how they really behaved.
Minding your Manners in the Middle Ages
Did medieval parents care about manners?
Back to School, Medieval Peasant Style
Have you ever wondered how peasant children were educated in the Middle Ages? And if they even went to school?
The Mind’s Eye: Visualizing Encyclopedic Knowledge in the Later Middle Ages
The present project examines two exceptional fifteenth-century French copies of this encyclopedia (BnF fr. 9141 and BnF fr. 135/6), and interprets them in light of the shifting intellectual culture and evolving reading practices of late-medieval lay audiences.
Education in the Middle Ages
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – time to go back to school! This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle takes a quick look at medieval education.
Drugs, Books, Patients: Marketing Medieval Medicine
Because a number of health care structures were established in the Middle Ages this lecture tries to answer questions about how medieval medicine laid the groundwork for drug regulations.
New Year, New You: Early Modern Style
While many people may be making new year’s resolutions to get fitter in 2018, Natalie Anderson takes a look at the early modern obsession with achieving the same goal hundreds of years ago.
Some Highlights of Education in Christian Spain the Late Medieval Period
In this article we will tour some of the major educational milestones of late medieval Spain, including the primary and secondary education at that time, especially in the educational activity of the Church, the councils and individuals.
Which medieval scholar would you study under?
It’s back to school, and with these six questions you can figure which famous medieval scholar you should study under!
Student Life in the Medieval University: The Swedish Experience
What was it like to attend a university in the Middle Ages?
Medieval Hazing: Freshmen Orientation in the Middle Ages
Anchoresses and beguines simply do not get drunk, break into lecture rooms…and play tennis. Yet this was a recurring problem at the University of Paris.
Book Review: A Medieval Woman’s Companion by Susan Signe Morrison
Susan Signe Morrison’s book, “A Medieval Woman’s Companion” brings the contributions of medieval women, famous and obscure, to the forefront in this fantastic introductory text.
1390 AD: London in the Late Middle Ages
Last week, we spoke with Dr. Matthew Green about his new History of London course. This week, we take a peek into the first lecture of the series, a ‘teaser’ on Medieval London in 1390.
Medieval Advice for Students Away From Home
By Danièle Cybulskie Over the last few weeks, countless parents have kissed their sons and daughters and sent them off to study away…
