How the Carolingians Organized Military Service in the Ninth Century
Explore how the Carolingians organized military service in the ninth century, from wealth-based militia obligations to the Edict of Pîtres, the Benevento Capitulary, and Louis the German’s charter.
Forensic Medicine and Death Investigation with Sara Butler
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Sara Butler about forensic medicine, and how death investigation was conducted in medieval England.
Trial by Combat and Fire: The Strangest Way to Settle a Medieval Religious Dispute
A medieval king turned to trial by combat and fire to decide a religious dispute in Spain — one of the strangest episodes of the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: 1368: China and the Making of the Modern World
In 1368, a new dynasty took power in China, opening a chapter of growth, exploration, and rising influence on the world stage. This book takes readers through that vibrant era and follows the story into the centuries that saw China’s fortunes shift from expansion to decline.
Secret Stirling Tours Open Hidden Corners of Scotland’s Famous Castle
Discover Stirling Castle’s hidden chambers with the new Secret Stirling Tours. Explore medieval chapels, royal closets, graffiti by James VI, and more inside Scotland’s historic fortress.
A Summer in Castles – Bow & Blade, Episode 61
In this episode of the podcast, Michael and Kelly let us know where they have been the last few months – and this includes going to a lot of medieval castles and cities.
The Medieval Discovery of King Arthur and Guinevere at Glastonbury Abbey
Discover how twelfth-century monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to find the tomb of King Arthur and Guinevere. Explore Gerald of Wales’ dramatic account, rival chronicles, and the enduring legend of Arthur’s grave.
Online Course: The Devil’s Brood: The Angevin Empire 1154 – 1216
This online course, taught by James Barnaby, starts on September 18th, with live sessions each Thursday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm EST.
Templars as Medieval Training Consultants
Discover how the Knights Templar acted as medieval training consultants during the Second Crusade, bringing discipline, tactics, and military innovation to save a faltering crusader army.
Did the Inquisition Allow Heresy to Endure? Lessons from the 1335 Trial in Giaveno
A 1335 trial in Giaveno reveals the flaws of the medieval Inquisition—fragmentation, community resistance, and gender bias—that allowed heresy to endure despite brutal methods.
New Online Course: The Inception, Evolution, and Legacy of Chivalry
This six-week course, taught by C.J. Adrien, begins September 16th. It features video presentations, reading resources and weekly live discussions with the instructor from 2:00 to 3:00 pm EST each Tuesday (All sessions are recorded so you can watch them at your convenience).
Excavations at Neuenburg Castle Reveal Lost Medieval Buildings
Archaeologists in Germany are uncovering hidden medieval buildings beneath Neuenburg Castle’s great tower. These new excavations are reshaping the history of this fortress founded in the 11th century.
20 Phrases that Originated in the Middle Ages
Discover 20 common phrases with roots in the Middle Ages, from “no man’s land” to “red-letter day,” and explore their fascinating medieval origins.
From Cradle to Choir: Music in the Lives of Medieval Children
What songs did medieval children grow up with? From soothing lullabies sung by mothers to the first lessons at cathedral song schools, music was an essential part of childhood in the Middle Ages.
Digitizing the Medieval Ducal Tower of Siedlęcin
A 14th-century tower in Siedlęcin holds a secret: the only medieval wall paintings of Lancelot still in their original place. Now, researchers are using digital tools to reveal its hidden details.
Assassins and Templars: The Strategy of Death
Discover how the Assassins and Templars used fear, fanaticism, and the strategy of death to survive and shape power during the Crusades.
History in Flames with Robert Bartlett
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Robert Bartlett about the manuscripts we’ve lost by accident and by design, and how these precious documents are being preserved today.
Seal of Medieval Archbishop Found in Denmark
Archaeologists in Denmark have discovered the medieval seal of Esger Juul, Archbishop of Lund in the early 14th century. The find sheds light on his life, family origins, and role in Danish history.
Online Course – Calamity and Change: An Introduction to the Fourteenth Century
This five-week course, taught by Danièle Cybulskie, begins on Friday, September 12th. Live classes run each week at 1:00pm Eastern U.S. time (All sessions are recorded so you can watch them at your convenience).
10 Medieval Studies’ Articles Published Last Month
What’s new in medieval studies? Here are ten open-access articles published in August, which includes research about the depiction of Vikings in Icelandic sagas and fish farming in China.
Medieval Goddesses of the Moon: Chang’e and Diana
Explore how medieval writers and artists depicted the moon goddesses Chang’e and Diana, revealing their beauty, power, loneliness, and lasting influence in literature, art, and legend.
Why Did the Medieval Irish Bury Butter?
Why did the medieval Irish bury butter in peat bogs? Discover the surprising reasons behind bog butter, from preservation and protection to ritual offerings and curious modern finds.
How Carolingian Soldiers Learned to Fight
Discover how Carolingian soldiers learned the art of war, from feigned retreats to sword drills. A surviving manual and eyewitness accounts shed light on military training in the Early Middle Ages.
Priests and the Black Death: Faith Amid Plague
When the Black Death swept through Europe, priests were among those who paid the highest price. Risking their lives to comfort the dying, they stood on the front lines of faith against the deadliest plague of the Middle Ages.
