Medieval church building-boom took place in the 12th century, study finds
A recent study looking at the construction history of churches during the Middle Ages has found that a building boom took place in Western Europe during the 12th century.
Latest Posts
What is a bestiary for?
What is the purpose of a bestiary? Starting with the history of medieval bestiaries, and touching on dramatically topical issues such as the climate crisis and the risk of species extinction, author Caspar Henderson takes us on a journey of discovery of wondrous and barely imaginable creatures, places, and revolutionary discoveries.
Panorama of Black Writing Inks: From Antiquity to the Early Middle Ages
Ira Rabin talks about the evolution of black writing inks and why iron gall ink became so popular in the Middle Ages.
Medieval church building-boom took place in the 12th century, study finds
A recent study looking at the construction history of churches during the Middle Ages has found that a building boom took place in Western Europe during the 12th century.
New Medieval Books: Kassia the Nun in Context
This book profiles the life of Kassia, a ninth-century Byzantine aristocrat who spurned an emperor and became a nun and abbess. Her story tells us much about being a woman and a religious leader in Byzantium.
The County of Tripoli: A Forgotten Past
The silent alleys of Tripoli still retain their medieval charms. They tell the stories of glorious counts, chivalrous knights in shining armour, and fighting men of order.
New Medieval Books: From Genghis Khan to Tamerlane
A look at how the peoples and states of Central Asia and Persia coped with the Mongol invasions and conquests, ranging from the Ilkhanate to the Timurids. Includes an in-depth examination of the warlord Timur and his impact on the region.
The Mysterious Owl on the Cathedral Notre-Dame of Dijon
A look into a mysterious medieval carving at a French cathedral. Why was it put there?
Mongols and their impact upon the Muslim Middle East
This is a video version of episode 26 of the podcast “‘Tis But A Scratch: Fact and Fiction About the Middle Ages,” hosted by Professor Richard Abels.
170 Medieval Coins Discovered in Sweden
Swedish archaeologists have discovered 170 silver coins dating to the 12th century. They were found in a grave on the island of Visingsö at Lake Vättern in the central part of the country.
Medieval Coins with Rory Naismith
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Rory Naismith about the complex world of medieval coins.
New Medieval Books: Beards and Baldness in the Middle Ages
Translations of three medieval texts: In Praise of Baldness, On Bald Men, and A Defense of Beards. It reveals that male grooming was indeed a thing in the Middle Ages.
Archaeogenetics reveals new details on the Avars, study finds
The Avars are one of the least understood peoples of the early medieval period. A new study reconstructs their social dynamics by using ancient DNA data with archaeological evidence.
Elcho Castle in Scotland reopens
A 16th-century tower house in northeastern Scotland has reopened to visitors after Historic Environment Scotland carried out necessary repairs to its masonry.
Chariot Race described in medieval poem
While chariot races are usually associated with Ancient Rome, they were still taking place long into the Middle Ages. A poem from the twelfth century gives us an exciting look at this sport.
Study reveals when burial practices changed in early medieval England
It was around the year 600 that burials changed in England. A new study reveals that it was during this time that people altered where and how they buried their dead.
Why do we sleep? Scientific Questions Answered in the Sixth Century
The Byzantine philosopher Priscian of Lydia offers these answers to some common questions.
“Next Year in Jerusalem”: The Medieval Origins of the Jewish Longing for a Homeland
First attested in the Middle Ages, the phrase has become part of not only the Passover liturgy, but also the concluding service for Yom Kippur, and has long testified to the longing of the scattered Jewish people for a homeland where they could be free from persecution.
Medieval journal has left us 7,000 weather reports
Historians are very interested in understanding environmental and climate conditions from the past. However, sources that can shed light on this information are hard to find, so being able to access over 20 years of records from a medieval writer is a gold mine of details.
New Medieval Books: The Genius of Their Age
A double biography of two of the most important scholars from the Middle Ages. Working out of Central Asia in the 11th century, Ibn Sina and Biruni both made significant impacts on several scientific fields.
14 Reasons Why Medieval Florence was Great
Medieval Florentines were very proud of their city. One 15th-century citizen even wrote down 14 reasons why.
Getting High in the Middle Ages: Drug Use in Medieval Egypt
In recent years, a contentious debate has emerged regarding how society should address drugs such as marijuana. Should they be legalized and accepted? What are the harms or benefits associated with these drugs? Interestingly, similar questions were raised in medieval Egypt.
Imaginary Byzantiums in modern Russia, with Eugene Smelyansky
A conversation with Eugene Smelyansky on the invention of ideologically useful versions of Byzantium in modern Russia. We talk about the much more limited engagement with Byzantium in imperial Russia and the reasons behind some of the current obsessions with it.
“The Northman”: ‘Tis But A Scratch: Fact & Fiction About the Middle Ages
In this episode of the podcast ‘Tis But A Scratch: Fact and Fiction About the Middle Ages, Richard Abels and his special guest and co-host Dr. Christine Senecal of Shippensburg University discuss the 2022 Viking movie “The Northman.”
Vikings! ‘Tis But A Scratch: Fact & Fiction About the Middle Ages
In this episode of the podcast “‘Tis But A Scratch”: Fact & Fiction About the Middle Ages, co-hosts Richard Abels and his wife Ellen Abels explain who and what “Vikings” really were, what historical factors contributed to the advent of the Viking Age.
BooksAll posts
New Medieval Books: Kassia the Nun in Context
This book profiles the life of Kassia, a ninth-century Byzantine aristocrat who spurned an emperor and became a nun and abbess. Her story tells us much about being a woman and a religious leader in Byzantium.
New Medieval Books: From Genghis Khan to Tamerlane
New Medieval Books: Beards and Baldness in the Middle Ages
New Medieval Books: The Genius of Their Age
New Medieval Books: Alexandria
New Medieval Books: The Wars of the Roses: The Medieval Art of Graham Turner
New Medieval Books: The Mongol Storm
New Medieval Books: Becoming a Witch
New Medieval Books: Weird Medieval Guys
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.