New Medieval Books: Enchanted Creatures
A journey through humanity’s long fascination with the monstrous, ranging from dragons to walruses. This book explores how cultures across time have imagined, exaggerated, and feared creatures both real and mythical.
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.
Unruly Bodies and Subversive Laughs: Why I Started The Court Jester
I started The Court Jester to share the stories I kept stumbling upon in manuscripts: tales so absurd and outrageous that they made me laugh out loud in libraries.
The Medieval Writings of Jean Bodel with Lynn Ramey
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Lynn Ramey about the incredible Jean Bodel, his massive influence on other medieval writers, and some of his unforgettable works.
Spring in the Middle Ages
How did medieval people perceive the arrival of Spring? How was Spring depicted in medieval calendars and literary texts? And, was Spring the “mating season” for humans, as it is for many animal species?
Poison in the Middle Ages: Medicine, Murder, and Myth
Discover how poison influenced medieval medicine, power struggles, and storytelling. From royal intrigue to early toxicology, learn how this dangerous substance shaped the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: Story, World and Character in the Late Íslendingasögur
The Icelandic sagas written after the year 1300 tend to get classified as being not as good as the more famous Family Sagas. However, this book explains why these ‘rogue sagas’ are also very interesting, especially their superhero characters and paranormal encounters.
The Changing Image of Saladin: From Crusader Villain to Chivalric Hero
Few historical figures have undergone as dramatic a transformation as Saladin. Once cast as a ruthless enemy of Christendom, he later became the very model of knightly virtue in Western literature.
New Medieval Books: Cross-dressing in the Middle Ages
Whether it’s Joan of Arc donning armor or women disguising themselves as monks to enter monasteries, gender-crossing attire appears in medieval history more often than you might expect. This book explores the subject in depth.
New Medieval Books: Waltharius
This early medieval epic, set during the time of Attila the Hun, follows three hostages—two men and a woman—who are sent to his court. Both in its original Latin and in English translation, the tale weaves together themes of violence, friendship, and loyalty.
The Battle of Torelore: A Parody of Chivalry in Aucassin et Nicolette
What if knights fought battles not with swords and lances, but with fresh cheeses and rotten apples? The Battle of Torelore in Aucassin et Nicolette turns medieval chivalry on its head in one of literature’s most absurd and subversive parodies.
New Medieval Books: Saints and Sinners on Horseback, Volume II
Saints and Sinners on Horseback, Volume II Edited by Miriam A. Bibby Trivent Publishing ISBN: 978-615-6696-29-8 This book presents seven essays exploring the…
New Medieval Books: Medieval Love Letters
Did medieval men and women write about their love for one another? This book offers several texts and translations of real and somewhat fictional correspondence, showing that even in the Middle Ages the pen could open up the heart.
Sir Moriaen: The Black Knight of Arthurian Legend
Discover the tale of Sir Moriaen, the bold Black knight who defied medieval stereotypes and earned his place among King Arthur’s greatest heroes.
New Medieval Books: Genesis Myth in Beowulf and Old English Biblical Poetry
The Bible opens with the Book of Genesis, which recounts the creation of the world and other foundational stories of Christianity. This book explores how these tales appear in early medieval English literature, including Beowulf.
New Medieval Books: An Introduction to Jean Bodel
Those studying medieval literature will enjoy having this excellent biography of a somewhat under-appreciated twelfth-century writer.
New Medieval Books: The Beauty of Ugliness and the Ugliness of Beauty
A collection of five essays exploring the significance of physical appearance in the Middle Ages. Delving into law and literature, this work sheds light on how medieval people perceived and interpreted physical traits, revealing deeper insights into their society and culture.
New Medieval Books: Medieval Literature: An Introduction to Type-Scenes
In medieval literature, one can find many scene types—familiar moments or sequences in a story, much like tropes. This book explores over thirty of these, such as acquiring a magic ring, the hero obtaining their weapon, or encountering a wise woman.
Christmas in Medieval Poetry: Subtle Allusions and Festive Celebrations
As the holiday season approaches, let us delve into the world of medieval poets to explore how Christmas made its way into their works.
New Medieval Books: An Introduction to Literary Debate in Late Medieval France
Just like us, medieval people enjoyed analysing and discussing their literature. This book explores the lively discussions surrounding two renowned works from medieval France.
New Medieval Books: The Emergence of Arabic Poetry
Offering a fresh look at the origins and development of Arabic poetry, this book argues that pre-Islamic poetry reflected regional identities and that later Islamic scholars favoured a specific style to define a unified Arab culture.
Peasant Heroes and Troll Ancestors: A New Look at Icelandic Sagas
A new study by Valerie Broustin, a Scandinavian Studies expert from the University of Bonn, sheds fresh light on a lesser-known collection of Icelandic sagas. Her work on the Hrafnistumannasögur reveals a unique twist: ordinary farmers rise to heroic status, overturning traditional saga narratives that focus on kings and gods. Broustin’s findings could reshape how scholars approach this medieval literary genre.
New Medieval Books: The Troubadours
This book delves into the lives of eight troubadours, weaving together the stories of the men and women who emerged as poet-musicians and became integral to the culture of medieval Western Europe. It features translations of many of their captivating poems and songs, bringing their artistry to life.
The 7 Rules You Need to Follow to Survive a Medieval Fairy Tale
Think you’d survive a medieval fairy tale? Discover the seven unbreakable rules that determined who thrived—and who perished—in tales filled with magic, monsters, and moral twists.