Ten Bizarre and Overlooked Saints from Medieval History
Here are ten medieval saints whose stories are worth rediscovering.
Latest Posts
Ten Bizarre and Overlooked Saints from Medieval History
Here are ten medieval saints whose stories are worth rediscovering.
A Medieval Government at Work: England’s King John
What did a medieval government actually do on a daily basis? Thanks to the rich administrative records from the Middle Ages, we have detailed insights into the workings of royal bureaucracy and how money was spent. One valuable source of such information is the Close Rolls of England’s King John, which provide a glimpse into the decisions and orders that shaped his reign.
The Knights Templar in Battle: Fanatics or Pragmatists?
Modern-day media typically presents Templar Knights as hate-filled fanatics, frothing with rage, and charging recklessly into combat. This is certainly the impression given by many contemporary books and films on the subject, but is this verdict accurate?
New Online Course: The Culture of Medieval Violence
Examine the medieval culture of violence through a range of sources that deal with everything from blood feud and battlefield to torture and comedy. Learn about the reality versus modern pop culture and what it really means to “get medieval.”
Silver Linings: Money, Plague and Economic Change in 7th and 8th century England
There is less confidence about how and why this transformation came about especially in its early stages around the time of Bede and what this talk was consider is how and why these changes began when they did.
From Generation to Generation: Jewish Inheritance Practices and Christian Notarial Culture in the Crown of Aragon, 1250-1391
This paper argues that the vast majority of Jews who drew up notarial wills, donatio inter vivos contracts, and other Latinate documents related to inheritance did not seek to circumvent Jewish law. Instead, they valued a combination of Latin and Hebrew-Aramaic contracts as a means of making their inheritance choices intelligible both within and beyond the Jewish community.
How Ancient and Medieval References Shape Hostile Online Political Debates
Political posts on social media that most frequently referenced ancient and early medieval history tended to be more extreme, hostile, and overwhelmingly negative in tone than average, finds a new study by researchers from University College London and the University of Edinburgh.
Viking Treasure Uncovered After 1,100 Years in Norway
Norwegian archaeologists have uncovered a significant Viking treasure buried more than 1,100 years ago in the southwest corner of the country. Four heavy silver bracelets were found hidden on a mountainside where a farm once existed.
“A Wonderful Country Inhabited by Blacks”: Ahmad al-Mansur and “His” Conquest of the Bilad al-Sudan
Today we are going to deal with a very famous actually episode in the history of African history that is the so-called Moroccan conquest of this late medieval, early modern polity of West Africa that is the so-called Songhay Empire.
New Medieval Books: The Misadventures of Master Mugwort
The Misadventures of Master Mugwort: A Joke Book Trilogy from Imperial China By Su Shi, Lu Cai, Tu Benjun Translated by Elizabeth Smithrosser…
Medieval Falconry with Yannis Hadjinicolaou
In the Middle Ages, falconry was one of the most popular pastimes across the known world. More than just a pleasant diversion in the countryside, it was a way to show status, education, sophistication, and leadership. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Yannis Hadjinicolaou about why falconry was so widely beloved, and such a popular metaphor for both love and power.
Forbidden Love: Medieval Romance as Critical Race Studies Archive
My goal here is to talk a bit about why medieval romance, and especially medieval English romance, is such a useful archive for the critical study of race.
Political Advice from a Medieval Statesman
How should one govern a state? For answers, we can turn to the wisdom of Gino di Neri Capponi, a 15th-century statesman whose advice on politics and governance remains surprisingly relevant. Written nearly 600 years ago, Capponi’s insights continue to offer valuable lessons for both modern leaders and individuals alike.
Medieval Estate for Sale in Tuscany
Nestled between Florence, Pisa, and the sea, this magnificent 15th-century estate in Tuscany offers a perfect blend of medieval history and timeless elegance.
Computational Analysis as a Tool for Contextualizing the Music of Hildegard of Bingen
For many years, Jennifer Bain has been analyzing and contextualizing the music of Hildegard of Bingen within the medieval chant repertory using manual methodologies.
New Medieval Books: Laetentur Caeli
A set of translated documents from the mid-15th century related to inter-Christian relations and attempts to bring a union between the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Armenian, Coptic and Ethiopian churches.
‘Remarkable’ Early Medieval Pictish Ring Unearthed in Scotland
A ‘remarkable’ Pictish ring, featuring an intricate setting and believed from the Early Middle Ages, has been discovered in northern Scotland.
Unique Medieval Coin Goes Up For Auction
A unique medieval coin from the reign of David I of Scotland (1124-1153) will be going up for auction next week. It is expected to fetch between £15,000-20,000.
Hidden Secrets of the Voynich Manuscript Revealed Through Cutting-Edge Scans
Cutting-edge technology has just uncovered hidden secrets within one of the world’s most mysterious medieval texts. Multispectral imaging has revealed previously invisible details in the Voynich manuscript, offering new clues about this undeciphered enigma that has baffled scholars for centuries.
New Medieval Books: The Life of St Brendan and His Prayer
St Brendan the Navigator is one of the most famous saints from the Early Middle Ages. This book translates his Vita, which recounts Brendan’s life, and a prayer of protection that he supposedly created.
The Travels of Manuel II Palaiologos, Emperor of the Romans
The story of Manuel II Palaiologos, whose travels would take him to Paris and London, and his efforts to protect his empire.
Did the Knights Templar Keep a Pet Crocodile? A Medieval Mystery Unveiled
The Knights Templar, renowned for their military prowess and mystique, may have had an unusual companion at their headquarters in Acre—a pet crocodile.…
Get Crafty: 5 Medieval DIY Projects You Can Start Today
Five simple medieval do-it-yourself projects you can try out to impress your friends
New Medieval Books: Introduction to the Carolingian Age
Serving as ‘an invitation to the study of Carolingian civilization,’ this book examines the political and societal changes that took place in Western Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries. It is mostly a guide to how this empire came about, the family that ruled it, and its quick end.
BooksAll posts
New Medieval Books: The Misadventures of Master Mugwort
The Misadventures of Master Mugwort: A Joke Book Trilogy from Imperial China By Su Shi, Lu Cai, Tu Benjun Translated by Elizabeth Smithrosser…
New Medieval Books: Laetentur Caeli
New Medieval Books: The Life of St Brendan and His Prayer
New Medieval Books: Introduction to the Carolingian Age
Cover Reveal: The Traitor of Sherwood Forest
New Medieval Books: The Price of Collapse
Medievalists.net’s Featured Book: The Doctors’ Dinner Party
New Medieval Books: The Mirror of Simple Souls
New Medieval Books: The Optics of Ibn al-Haytham Books IV-V
Latest Podcast EpisodesAll posts
Medieval Falconry with Yannis Hadjinicolaou
In the Middle Ages, falconry was one of the most popular pastimes across the known world. More than just a pleasant diversion in the countryside, it was a way to show status, education, sophistication, and leadership. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Yannis Hadjinicolaou about why falconry was so widely beloved, and such a popular metaphor for both love and power.
Forging a Kingdom in the 11th century with Simon Doubleday – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 256
In the eleventh-century, Iberia was in the process of evolving networks of tiny villages into the powerful kingdoms we recognize from the end of the medieval period – sometimes by any means necessary. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Simon Doubleday about the ways in which Queen Sancha and King Fernando I shaped northern Spain and Portugal.
Feminist Medievalisms with Usha Vishnuvajjala – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 255
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Usha Vishnuvajjala about some of the surprising places the medieval world pops up in the modern world, and how it’s perfectly okay to love medieval fiction.
The Battle of Bryn Glas (1402) – Bow & Blade, Episode 54
At the beginning of the 15th century, Owain Glyndŵr would lead a Welsh rebellion against King Henry IV of England. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly examine one of the key battles of that war.
Travel Through Medieval Eyes with Anthony Bale – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 254
As we wrap up another summer vacation season, it’s a good time to take a look at the way medieval people travelled for business, pleasure, and their immortal souls. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Anthony Bale about the ins and outs of medieval travel, and some of the wild stories of journeys gone wrong.
Hunting Fake History with Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 253
Ever come across a really amazing historical fact on the internet or in school, and tell it to all your friends, only to find out that it actually isn’t true? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Jo Hedwig Teeuwisse (aka the Fake History Hunter) about things that never happened, what it’s like to hunt fake history, and what really grinds her gears.