Where the Middle Ages Begin
A conversation with Paul Magdalino about the literary traditions and genres that Constantinopolitans developed to talk about the origins, history, cosmic importance, and superlative beauty of their city — the City.
Delve into the pivotal figures of the Middle Ages whose enduring legacies shaped the course of history. From visionary leaders and profound scholars to prolific writers and formidable warriors, these individuals left an indelible mark on medieval society.
Discover the 50 most significant events of the Middle Ages, spanning the years 500 to 1500.
Here are seven vivid facts about colour in the Middle Ages
In medieval times, many unique jobs, such as Ale-wife and Groom of the Stool, were essential but have since vanished. Discover these obsolete occupations and how historical changes led to their disappearance.
Are you wanting to talk more like someone from the Middle Ages? We have a list of 30 great sayings and proverbs that you can use in your conversations.
Have you wondered what a medieval king did on a typical day? Thanks to Christine de Pizan, we have an account of what daily life was like for King Charles V of France.
Some of our most popular phrases have a long history, including some that go back to the Middle Ages.
Want to know what kind of jobs there were in the Middle Ages? A unique source from the 15th century gives us some beautiful images of medieval people at work.
If you lived during the Middle Ages, what kind of things would you have? Here is a guide to some of the everyday items that a medieval person would have used or had.
Beneath the temperate forests of western Czechia lies evidence of medieval agricultural ingenuity, revealing how farmers prioritised cereal crops, practised fertilisation, and carefully organised their land. A new study has uncovered these insights through soil analysis, offering a unique glimpse into the economic and ecological practices of the Middle Ages.
A conversation with Paul Magdalino about the literary traditions and genres that Constantinopolitans developed to talk about the origins, history, cosmic importance, and superlative beauty of their city — the City.
Though they’re often overlooked, the dowager queens of Korea were the one of the most powerful legitimizing forces behind the throne. This week, Danièle speaks with Alban Schmid about how Korea was ruled in the late Middle Ages, its relationship to Ming China, and the power wielded by the women at the top.
We all know that for a book to get noticed it needs a catchy title. Apparently, in the Middle Ages authors could think of some really great titles too! Here are ten of the best.
From queens like Elizabeth I to mystics such as Teresa of Ávila, women held pivotal roles in the religious struggles that shaped Christianity during the late Middle Ages and Early Modern period. This book examines the Reformation and Counter Reformation through several leading female figures, both within and outside of Europe.
A recent study has revisited the mysterious death of Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential theologians and philosophers of the Middle Ages
The words we speak today are more than just tools for communication—they are threads that weave together centuries of history. From the medieval…
This biography of Henry Tudor delves into his ancestry, tracing his lineage across several generations before detailing his path to the English throne. The book places a particular emphasis on the Tudors’ Welsh heritage and connections.
The Medieval Academy of America (MAA), founded in 1925 as a scholarly organisation dedicated to the study of the Middle Ages, celebrates its centenary this year. To mark the occasion, Speculum: A Journal of Medieval Studies, the Academy’s flagship journal, has published a themed issue reflecting on the history and evolution of medieval studies as a field.
Discover the strange and forbidden practices that medieval Church authorities fought to banish—but never fully eradicated.
Birds of prey in medieval Britain relied heavily on scavenging human waste and scraps, a new study has revealed.
The Teutonic Knights, a prominent military order, were active primarily in the Baltic region but also played a significant role in the Near East and Transylvania. This book explores their origins, rise to regional dominance, and eventual decline.
Starting January 23, 2025 is a six-week online course: The Crusades 1095-1187: A Multi-Perspective History.
Discover how medieval societies defined worth—not just in gold and wages, but through symbolic treasures, priceless gifts, and the stories objects carried.
Winter got you feeling down? You’re not alone. The long, dark nights of winter have always been the cause for a little doom and gloom, especially before the age of electric lights and electric blankets.
This book presents a translation of a fascinating and highly unusual 16th-century text: the diary of a self-proclaimed Jewish leader—though he was likely a con artist—who traveled across Europe meeting with rulers as part of a scheme to wage war against the Ottoman Empire. Even after reading this diary, you may still find yourself questioning who this enigmatic figure truly was and what his ultimate goals might have been.
The flail, with its chain and spiked ball, is an iconic image of medieval weaponry in the collective imagination. However, its actual use on medieval battlefields is highly contested
From violent disputes to daring robberies, the streets of Cairo often became a stage for chaos, where justice was swift and brutal.
A collection of 76 letters and charters from 15th-century Wallachian rulers, including eight letters penned by Vlad III, the notorious prince who inspired the legend of ‘Dracula.’
The Avars, a group that arrived in the region from the East Asian steppes in the 6th century AD, settled among a diverse local population. However, questions lingered about the ancestry of those buried in these 8th-century sites: were they descendants of the Avar conquerors, the local populations, or a mixture of both?
Discover how medieval healers used liquorice, saffron, and other surprising ingredients to craft remedies for coughs over a thousand years ago.
An archaeological excavation near Kiryat Gat, a city southwest of Jerusalem, has uncovered a Byzantine monastery with a mosaic floor featuring a Greek inscription, as well as a sophisticated winepress and other ancient structures.
This week, Danièle speaks with Florin Curta about why it’s taken the field so long to address Eastern Europe, why we need to look at enslavement as part of our understanding of the European Middle Ages broadly, and how we can all get started including Eastern Europe in our scholarship, is coming up right after this.
Travel in the Middle Ages was anything but easy. From grueling journeys on foot to muddy, impassable roads and slow-moving carts, medieval travelers faced challenges that make modern road trips seem luxurious.
From queens like Elizabeth I to mystics such as Teresa of Ávila, women held pivotal roles in the religious struggles that shaped Christianity during the late Middle Ages and Early Modern period. This book examines the Reformation and Counter Reformation through several leading female figures, both within and outside of Europe.
A conversation with Paul Magdalino about the literary traditions and genres that Constantinopolitans developed to talk about the origins, history, cosmic importance, and superlative beauty of their city — the City.
Though they’re often overlooked, the dowager queens of Korea were the one of the most powerful legitimizing forces behind the throne. This week, Danièle speaks with Alban Schmid about how Korea was ruled in the late Middle Ages, its relationship to Ming China, and the power wielded by the women at the top.
This week, Danièle speaks with Florin Curta about why it’s taken the field so long to address Eastern Europe, why we need to look at enslavement as part of our understanding of the European Middle Ages broadly, and how we can all get started including Eastern Europe in our scholarship, is coming up right after this.
A conversation with Hannah Moots about paleogenetic research, its goals, methods, and conclusions. What does it mean to study ancient DNA, and what does it tell us about human history?
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Matthew Firth about what early queenship looked like, the role queens played in legitimizing a king’s right to rule, and how three incredible women shaped English royal history.
Joan of Arc continues to put the English on the run. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Kelly and Michael examine this…