Medieval Rednecks: How Rustici Became the Butt of the Joke
From crude punchlines to the ‘medieval mullet,’ discover how peasants—known as rustici—became the butt of jokes in medieval Europe.
Marco Polo and his World with Sharon Kinoshita
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Sharon Kinoshita about why Marco travelled so far, what sort of detail he wanted to share with his readers, and what was going on in the world around him.
Paws on Parchment: New Exhibition Highlights Cats in Medieval Manuscripts
Explore how medieval people viewed and valued cats in “Paws on Parchment,” a new exhibition at the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, featuring feline-themed manuscripts and rare pawprints left by a 15th-century cat.
The Scotichronicon: A Medieval Chronicle of Scotland’s Myths, Murders, and Kings
Discover the Scotichronicon, a vivid 15th-century Scottish chronicle by Walter Bower, blending history, politics, myth, and monastic life during the reign of James II.
Monastic Music Returns to Buckland Abbey After 500 Years of Silence
A rare 15th-century manuscript returns to Buckland Abbey in southwest England, reviving the sound of monastic music for the first time since the Tudor Reformation.
King Athelstan in Virtual Reality: New Project Brings England’s First King to Life
Kingston University uses VR and AI to bring King Athelstan to life for his coronation’s 1,100th anniversary.
“Standing on the Shoulders of Giants”: Revisiting Bernard of Chartres’ Metaphor and Its Hidden Legacy
A look at the medieval origins and deeper meaning behind the metaphor of standing on the shoulders of giants.
10 Medieval Studies’ Articles Published Last Month
What’s new in medieval studies? Here are ten open-access articles published in July, which range from a new database about London to a look back at the works of Jinty Nelson.
Medieval Street Art Unveiled in Cardiff
A 3D street art installation in Cardiff by Julian Beever reveals the hidden medieval water-gate of Caerphilly Castle, celebrating its reopening after a major £8 million restoration.
50 Jobs in the Middle Ages
Explore 50 real jobs from the Middle Ages—illustrated in a rare 15th-century manuscript from Nuremberg, showing medieval workers at their trades.
Edel Bhreathnach Wins Prize for Book on Monasticism in Ireland
Edel Bhreathnach has been awarded the 2024 James S. Donnelly Prize for Books on History and Social Sciences by the American Conference for…
Matthew Paris: Was This Medieval Chronicler a Reliable Source?
Discover how Matthew Paris shaped medieval history through his chronicles, blending observation with commentary. Was he a faithful recorder of events or a monk with a message to deliver?
The Renaissance and Byzantium are characters in the same play, with Ada Palmer
A conversation with Ada Palmer about the invention of the idea of the Italian Renaissance and the functions that it serves in the western historical imagination. “Byzantium” is a similarly invented category that often works in tandem with “the Renaissance” to mark good and bad moments in the history of culture.
What the Black Death Can Teach Us About Childhood Malnutrition and Adult Health
A new study of medieval skeletons reveals how childhood malnutrition shaped survival during the Black Death—and contributed to poorer health in later life.
“A Noble Theme”: Orderic Vitalis as a Historian of Crusade
This article explores how the Norman monk Orderic Vitalis incorporated the First Crusade into his Ecclesiastical History, offering insights into early crusading narratives and their reception in medieval monastic circles.
Wars of the Roses Battle May Not Have Been a Battle at All, Historians Find
New research challenges the traditional story of the Battle of Wakefield, suggesting it may not have been a battle at all—but an ambush and murder of Yorkist leaders during the Wars of the Roses.
Falkenstein Castle Delays Reopening After Wall Collapse
Falkenstein Castle in Germany will remain closed until March 2026 after a wall collapse delayed renovation plans. Structural repairs are now underway to ensure visitor safety.
A Medieval Clock Like No Other: Inside Al-Jazari’s Mechanical Marvel
Discover the story behind Al-Jazari’s Elephant Clock—one of the most imaginative mechanical inventions of the medieval world. Complete with dragons, falcons, and a water-powered time system, this medieval marvel blends engineering and artistry
The Pirate’s Daughter: A Story of Compassion from a Medieval Bestseller
A tale from the medieval Gesta Romanorum tells of a pirate’s daughter who frees a prisoner and faces a moral trial. Her bold defense reveals a deeper lesson about compassion, loyalty, and justice.
René of Anjou: The Medieval King Without a Kingdom
A royal with grand titles and no throne, René of Anjou left behind not an empire but a legacy of art, poetry, and grace.
In the Middle Ages, An Apple a Day Keeps Magic in Play
From Arabic grimoires to Sephardic love spells, medieval Spain reveals how apples were used in magical rituals across cultures and centuries.
The Medievalist Who Taught Us How to Spot a Fascist
Discover how medievalist Umberto Eco used his fiction, scholarship, and political insight to expose the signs of modern fascism—and why his warnings remain urgent today.
Top 10 Medieval Castles in Scotland
Explore 10 of the best-preserved medieval castles in Scotland, from island fortresses to tower houses—discover their history, architecture, and how to visit them today.
Medieval Knight’s Grave Discovered in Poland
Archaeologists in Gdańsk, Poland, have discovered a rare 13th–14th century knight’s grave beneath a carved tombstone, offering new insights into the city’s medieval past
