The Rise and Fall of the ‘Dark Ages’
For five hundred years, the phrase ‘Dark Ages’ has allowed the living to signal their moral and intellectual superiority over those long dead and unable to reply.
Latest Posts
The Rise and Fall of the ‘Dark Ages’
For five hundred years, the phrase ‘Dark Ages’ has allowed the living to signal their moral and intellectual superiority over those long dead and unable to reply.
The ‘classical’ author imagined by medieval readers
How did medieval readers understand and imagine the classical authors?
Babak’s Revolt of 816-837
Babak’s revolt in Azerbaijan was the longest and last major Khurramiyya rebellion in the wake of the Abbasid Revolution.
Field Report: Kalamazoom 2022
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle and Peter Konieczny report back on the 57th International Congress on Medieval Studies, affectionately known this year as “Kalamazoom”. Here are some favourite papers, some of the exciting new research going on in medieval studies and how the field is changing for the better.
Researchers to examine the origins of the Maritime Silk Route
An international team of researchers will be delving into medieval ceramics and how they led to the origins of the Maritime Silk Route.
Telling Saga Stories at Þingvellir
Yoav Tirosh talks about the Saga of Njáll the Burner with a Portuguese tourist.
Top 10 Peace Treaties of the Middle Ages
Wars and conflicts rarely end with one side totally defeating the other. Even in the Middle Ages enemies understood the value of diplomacy, and hundreds of peace treaties were signed (although many were not followed). Some would have profound consequences. Here is our list of the ten most important peace treaties of the Middle Ages, arranged chronologically.
Solar panels installed at Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle has unveiled its newly installed solar panels, part of Historic Environment Scotland’s efforts to reduce energy use across the historic properties in its care.
The Battle of Stamford Bridge (1066)
King Harold Godwinson of England would see his country invaded by army led by his brother Tostig and King Harald Hardrada of Norway. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Kelly and Michael discuss the Norwegian invasion of 1066, which culminated at the Battle of Stamford Bridge.
Christine de Pizan: Women’s Most Famous Medieval Defender
Despite centuries of obscurity, one of the most popular authors of the medieval period is slowly finding her place in the literary canon restored. Said to have been the first professional woman writer, Christine de Pizan’s life and career rivalled that of any of her better-known male counterparts, and believe it or not, she used that popularity to highlight women’s strengths and struggles.
Illegitimate children in the Middle Ages
The stories of illegitimate children in the Middle Ages are often told through the lives of famous bastards, the daughters and sons of kings and noblemen, like William the Conqueror, born of Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and his mistress Herleva. But what do we know about the illegitimate children of common people?
The Battle of Anesin: A Medieval Parody about War
By Peter Konieczny It might seem that medieval people loved the idea of war – many works offer praise for those who fought…
What a fourteenth-century medievalist doesn’t know about the fourteenth century
Having studied the fourteenth century for over thirty years as an art historian, when my brother, Boyd Morrison, asked me to co-author a novel with him set in 1351, I thought I was totally ready.
Manuel II Palaiologos (1350-1425) had a lot to say, with Siren Çelik
A conversation with Siren Çelik about the many personas that the emperor Manuel II Palaiologos crafted for himself in his surviving works. In fact, we have more writings from him — in many genres, and many of a personal nature — than from any prior Roman emperor. What was he hoping to accomplish and why is he worth reading?
New Medieval Books: The Lawless Land, by Boyd and Beth Morrison
Read an excerpt from the novel The Lawless Land, by New York Times-bestselling author Boyd Morrison and expert art historian Beth Morrison.
Body Language and the Modern Medieval Courtroom
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle reflects on medieval court cases, body language, and the ways in which both have shaped today’s modern trials – including the celebrity ones.
Wars in the Workshop: Digitizing Manuscript Rolls
Dr. Hodgson discusses some of the issues relating to the digitization of manuscript rolls, focusing on a fifteenth-century genealogical roll known as the Canterbury Roll.
Kalila wa Dimna: Ancient Tales for Troubled Times – exhibition to take place in London
An eighth-century collection of fables is the focus of a new exhibition taking place in London. Kalila wa Dimna: Ancient Tales for Troubled Times will be running at the P21 Gallery from May 12th to June 11th.
Medieval World: Culture & Conflict – new magazine about the Middle Ages launches
A new bi-monthly magazine has been launched which engages with the rich history, art, and culture of the Middle Ages.
Sex and Sagas
Would you have sex with a troll woman? In this episode of the Medieval Grad Podcast, Lucie talks with Matthew Roby, who deciphers for us the dirty details of these Old Norse and Icelandic texts. Turns out there are a lot of them, and many include monstrous beings!
How Black Rats colonised Europe – Twice
A new study explains the rodent colonised the continent on two occasions in the Roman and Medieval periods.
El Cid and the Conquest of Valencia
Rodrigo Díaz, better known as El Cid, would find his greatest success in the year 1094, when he captured the city of Valencia. How he did it depends on which writer you believe.
The Wicked Grandmas of Medieval Literature
Grandmothers today tend to be understood as kindly and caring, but in the Middle Ages, some of the evilest characters of the literary world were the grandmothers.
Corrupted Air and Water: Pollution in Medieval Cities
When poop and entrails filled the Thames. Dealing with urban pollution in the Middle Ages.
BooksAll posts
New Medieval Books: The Lawless Land, by Boyd and Beth Morrison
Read an excerpt from the novel The Lawless Land, by New York Times-bestselling author Boyd Morrison and expert art historian Beth Morrison.
Book of the Month: De Sortibus: A Letter to a Friend about the Casting of Lots, by Thomas Aquinas
New Medieval Books: From Going to Purgatory to Joking in the 16th century
New Medieval Books: From Manuscripts to Silk
New Book Recommendations
New Medieval Books: New Fiction
New Medieval Books: Translated Texts
Book of the Month: Murder, Rape, and Treason: Judicial Combats in the Late Middle Ages
New Medieval Books: Renaissance Italy
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.