Political Borders Shaped the Spread of Medieval Chant, Study Finds
A new study finds that political borders shaped the spread of medieval chant, revealing how tropes travelled across Europe after the Treaty of Verdun.
Did Medieval People Have Bad Teeth and Bad Breath?
Did people in the Middle Ages really suffer from terrible teeth and foul breath? A closer look at medieval medical texts and hygiene practices reveals a more complex picture of dental care and everyday health.
New Medieval Books: Approaching Records of the Household and Wardrobe
The Household and Wardrobe Accounts are English records that document the daily needs of the king and his family. This book serves as a guide to these sources, showing how they can be used and what valuable insights they offer into medieval government.
Legacy of the Geats: How the Memory of Beowulf’s Tribe Survives in Modern Sweden
Explore how the memory of the Geats—Beowulf’s tribe—survives in the language, place names, and landscape of modern Sweden.
New Medieval Books: Chronicle of Michael the Great
One of the most important accounts from the Near East in the 12th century is the Chronicle of Michael the Great. This book offers an English translation of the abridged Armenian version of that chronicle.
Medieval Hand Cannon Discovered in Germany
Archaeologists in Germany have uncovered a fragment of a medieval hand cannon that may date to 1390, making it one of the earliest known portable firearms in Europe.
Betrayal or Mistake? Rethinking the Defeat at Manzikert
Was the Byzantine defeat at Manzikert caused by betrayal or by poor decisions on the battlefield? George Theotokis re-examines the medieval chroniclers and the search for scapegoats after one of Byzantium’s most famous defeats.
Medieval Bronze Doors by Donatello Return to Florence After Restoration
Two medieval bronze doors by Donatello have been restored and returned to the Basilica of San Lorenzo in Florence after a major conservation project.
The Medieval Jug that Travelled from England to West Africa and Back
A medieval English bronze jug that travelled to a royal palace in West Africa and back is the focus of a new British Museum exhibition.
New Medieval Books: Othon de Grandson
Othon de Grandson was one of the leading household knights of Edward I of England. This biography traces Othon’s career, from his military service in Wales to his participation in crusading expeditions to the Near East and his later work as a diplomat in continental Europe.
Newly Discovered Document Confirms a ‘Legendary’ African King
Newly discovered Arabic document confirms the existence of a ‘legendary’ African king and reveals how rulers governed in Nubia.
10 Ways Video Games Have Rewritten the Middle Ages
How have video games reshaped our view of the Middle Ages? Discover ten ways gaming has transformed how we imagine medieval society, rulers, religion, and history.
New Medieval Books: Silence of the Gods
By the end of the Middle Ages, the last predominantly pagan regions of Europe were undergoing conversion to Christianity. This book traces that transition and explores how older pagan beliefs and practices continued to endure for centuries afterward.
Leoba: England’s Earliest Female Poet
In the eighth century, an English nun named Leoba composed a short Latin poem that has quietly survived for more than a millennium. Though brief, the verse offers valuable insight into the education, literary culture, and spiritual ambitions of women in the early medieval Church.
Medieval Manuscripts to Be Displayed at EXPO Chicago 2026
A selection of illuminated medieval manuscripts, including a Netherlandish missal and a Florentine Book of Hours, will be displayed by Les Enluminures at EXPO Chicago 2026.
Giotto and Saint Francis Featured in Major Medieval Art Exhibition in Italy
Major medieval art exhibition in Italy will explore how Giotto, Saint Francis, and Umbrian painters helped transform religious art in the early fourteenth century.
Norway Invests Millions to Preserve Its Medieval Stave Churches
Norway has announced new funding to preserve its medieval stave churches, including maintenance projects, research grants, and a 3D scanning project at Borgund Stave Church.
New Medieval Books: Castles and Strongholds of Northumberland
Planning to visit the northeast corner of England and explore its many castles? This guide is your companion, now expanded to include over 500 entries.
New Online Course: En Garde! Fencing in Late Medieval and Early Modern England
This six-week course begins Friday, March 6th, with live sessions from 2:00 to 3:30 pm EST.
Climate Extremes May Have Helped Bring Down China’s Tang Dynasty, Study Finds
An interdisciplinary study examining the final century of China’s Tang dynasty argues that repeated droughts and floods may have played a key role in weakening the empire and contributing to its eventual collapse in 907 CE.
New Project Explores the Craft of Writing in the Medieval Nordic World
A major Nordic research effort is taking a fresh look at the earliest written culture in medieval Finland—by studying not only what documents say, but what they are made of.
Charlemagne’s Failed Invasion of Spain, 777–778
David Bachrach on Charlemagne’s failed invasion of Spain in 777–778, a campaign that ended with the Frankish defeat at Roncevaux Pass and later inspired the Song of Roland.
Viking-Age Woman Buried with Her Dog in Norway
A Viking-Age grave containing a woman buried with her dog has been identified as one of the most intriguing archaeological discoveries in Norway from 2025.
Joshua O’Driscoll Named Head of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts at the Morgan
The Morgan Library & Museum has appointed Dr. Joshua O’Driscoll as Melvin R. Seiden Curator and Department Head of Medieval and Renaissance Manuscripts.