Book of the Month Club: The Livery Collar in Late Medieval England and Wales
Our next book in the Book of the Month Club will be The Livery Collar in Late Medieval England and Wales: Politics, Identity and Affinity, by Matthew Ward.
Latest Posts
Book of the Month Club: The Livery Collar in Late Medieval England and Wales
Our next book in the Book of the Month Club will be The Livery Collar in Late Medieval England and Wales: Politics, Identity and Affinity, by Matthew Ward.
New Medieval Books: New Translations of Medieval Texts
Here are seven books offering new translations of medieval texts, all published within the last year.
Medieval Manuscripts: The Peterborough Psalter in Brussels
With its magnificent gold and silver text, the Peterborough Psalter strikes contemporary art enthusiasts as much as it impressed its many former owners: Pope John XXII, the dukes of Burgundy, the kings of France, and Napoleon Bonaparte.
Medieval Britain Summer Programme
A 5-week exploration of Medieval British history and culture, from 13th July – 14th August 2020
13-year-old discovers Byzantine burial inscription
A 1500 year-old stone slab was discovered in Israel last week – found by a teenage boy who was out looking for mushrooms.
Terry Jones, historian and Monty Python member, passes away
Terry Jones, a member of the Monty Python comedy troop, and who later became a medieval historian, has passed away at the age of 77.
Sanctuary with Shannon McSheffrey
In the Middle Ages, a person could claim sanctuary to delay or avoid punishment for a serious crime. But what were the rules? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle interviews Dr. Shannon McSheffrey to find out how and why medieval people sought sanctuary, and whether or not a convicted heretic could expect the church to save his life.
Studying the Middle Ages: Historical Food for Thought in the Present Day
Why study the Middle Ages? The answers this question yields concern more than simply medievalists: they generate reflections regarding the usefulness of science or intellectual engagement in any given society.
Seizing Power, Keeping Power, and kicking up a fuss in early medieval England and France
The early middle ages on both sides of the Channel is full of episodes of rebellion and opposition by many parties with an axe to grind, whether disinherited members of ruling families, sidelined aristocrats, or disgruntled peasants.
Cathedral Thinking is Dead. Long Live Cathedral Thinking
Have we truly lost the capacity for long-term planning or “cathedral thinking” that was so prevalent in the Middle Ages?
The Prussian Uprisings: A Story of Knights, Pagans, Traitors, and Miracles
Before 1242, the Teutonic Order was a rising power in the Baltic. The Knights had conquered most of Prussia, incorporated the Livonian Order, and were pressing into Russia; in a few short years they would be fighting for their very survival.
The Sirens: From Sage to Cannibal, From Goddess to Prostitute
Sultry and deadly seductresses, the Sirens are fearful, yet fascinating creatures that have captivated writers for centuries. But they weren’t always depicted this way – what were the origins of the Sirens and how did they become synonymous with death, destruction, and sin?
The Witcher: Magic, Monsters and Medievalism
The Witcher is the latest breakthrough series on Netflix. Should you watch it and what is its connection to the Middle Ages and medievalism?
Christopher Tolkien passes away
Christopher Tolkien, the son and literary heir of J.R.R. Tolkien, has passed away at the age of 95.
How to have a good workout: lessons from the 16th century
Feeling the need to get in shape and exercise? It might be time to consult the 16th century writings of Sir Thomas Elyot on how to have a good workout.
14th century depiction of Venice discovered
The oldest known city view of Venice, dating from the mid-14th century, has been discovered in a manuscript of an Italian pilgrim.
A Quest for Medieval Romance Novelists
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle reaches out to romance writers, giving both information and resources for those who want to write their very own medieval novels.
Why Should we Care about the Middle Ages? Putting the Case for the Relevance of Studying Medieval Europe
This introductory chapter puts forward a case for the continuing importance of studying the European Middle Ages.
Byzantine Spies and Espionage
Here, I will deal with the methods and dangers of information and intelligence flow that authorities in Byzantium could gather in local markets and fairs, important ports, and taverns and inns, and how they reacted to spies and espionage activity in these particular places.
Tales from the Hundred Years War: How captains used trickery to profit from war
This kind of war did not look like the campaigns of kings; more often captains used trickery to defeat their enemies and plunder the opposing soldiers’ accumulated treasure.
A Marriage in Medieval London: The Brother’s Tale
On January 15, 1472, in the case of Elizabeth Isaak versus John Bolde, the deposed witness was Elizabeth’s brother, Walter Isaak.
Medieval Manuscripts: Muhibbî Dîvânı: A Sultan in Love
From sultan to servant: in this collection of poems, Süleyman the Magnificent gives up all his powers to worship a girl “as tall as a cypress, with cheeks as red as roses”. And what better decoration than ever-changing gold and pastel floral patterns?
Disputed Isle: The Foundations of Mortimer Power in Ireland
Roger was at the very heart of this process as head of the Irish administration from 1316, but his commission also required him to defend the island against an invasion from Scotland.
Viking runestone reveals fear of climate catastrophe, scholars find
The new interpretation suggests the inscription deals the conflict between light and darkness, warmth and cold, life and death.
BooksAll posts
New Medieval Books: New Translations of Medieval Texts
Here are seven books offering new translations of medieval texts, all published within the last year.
Medieval Reads: Susan Cooper and positioning oneself in relation to the past
New Medieval Books: Books on Medieval Warfare and Chivalry in 2019
New Medieval Books: Byzantine History Books from 2019
Medieval Reads: Ivanhoe, by Walter Scott
New Medieval Books: Historical Fiction in 2019
New Medieval Books: Vikings and the Norse World
New Medieval Books: England
Medieval Reads: The Nine Tailors, by Dorothy L Sayers
Places to SeeAll posts
Örebro Castle: History, Secrets, and Romance
For anyone who visits Örebro, it is hard to miss its castle – an ancient-looking fortress made of weathered grey stones that stands on an islet in the middle of the city centre.
The Vasa: Gustav II Adolf’s Glorious and Doomed Warship
On the 10th of August 1628, the Vasa sank in Stockholm harbour, thus ending the career of the most powerful warship that Sweden had ever seen.
Uppsala Slott: 5 Things You Ought to Know About One of Sweden’s Greatest Castles
This strategic location not only makes the castle a majestic sight, but also earns it the reputation as the most modern defence fortress in its time. But, as all ancient buildings, there is always more than meets the eye. Here are the five things that you may not know about Uppsala Castle.
Making Your Mark: Medieval Masons’ Marks at Tarascon
How do you operate a business when you can’t read and your knowledge of math is extremely limited? Making your mark on the…
The Weird, the Wonderful, and the Macabre in the Cathedral of Narbonne
Narbonne is one of those European cities with evidence of its past on every street.
Medieval English Embroidery on Display for the Last Time at the V&A’s Opus Anglicanum Exhibit
The V&A Museum opened its latest medieval exhibit exhibit on Saturday: Opus Anglicanum: Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery. I had the opportunity to see it opening day and it was spectacular.