How Medieval Religious Images Evoked Sound
Medieval religious images may have been designed to evoke sound in the minds of viewers, according to a new study examining the Harley Roll, a medieval English scroll depicting the life of Saint Guthlac.
Le Roman de Fauvel: Corruption and Power in Medieval France
A corrupt horse rises from a stable to the royal palace, winning the admiration of kings, clergy, and courtiers alike. Sonja Maurer-Dass tells us about Le Roman de Fauvel, one of the sharpest political satires of the Middle Ages, exposing the greed, ambition, and moral decay they saw in fourteenth-century France.
Did Medieval People Drink Water?
Did medieval people drink water? Explore the myth that people in the Middle Ages avoided water, and discover what medieval texts, city records, and religious writings reveal about drinking habits.
Who Controlled Fortress-Building in Early Medieval Europe?
Did medieval kings really lose control over fortress-building after the collapse of the Roman Empire? David Bachrach explores how rulers in the Carolingian…
10 Open-Access Medieval Studies Articles from April 2026
Discover ten open-access medieval studies articles published in April 2026, featuring new research on archaeology, genetics, trade, kingship, literature, and the strange world of smells.
Who Were the Medieval Peasants?
Medieval peasants made up the vast majority of Europe’s population during the Middle Ages, yet their lives were far more varied than many people imagine. Lucie Laumonier shows how from farming and village life to serfdom and social tensions, medieval peasants played a central role in shaping medieval society.
New Cambridge History Explores the Arthurian Legend from the Middle Ages to Modern Media
The Cambridge History of Arthurian Literature and Culture explores the legends of King Arthur from the early Middle Ages to modern media in a major new two-volume publication co-edited by Raluca Radulescu.
Save 15% on Medieval Online Courses with Our Spring Sale
Spring has arrived, and so has our biggest Medieval Studies Online Courses sale of the season! For a limited time, get 15% off any course — live or self-paced!
The Menologion of Basil II, with Charlie Kuper
A conversation with Charlie Kuper about the Menologion of Basil II, a lavishly illustrated manuscript pairing brief notices about the saints with images of them and their ordeals, arranged according to the liturgical calendar.
What Made a Good Ambassador in the Medieval Islamic World?
Discover how ambassadors were chosen, tested, and trained in the medieval Islamic world through the writings of Ibn al-Farrāʾ, whose rare treatise reveals the art of diplomacy shaped by Iranian and Byzantine traditions.
New Video Game Lets Players Live Through the Hundred Years’ War
A new historical role-playing game is aiming to immerse players in the realities of late medieval Europe, allowing them to step into the lives of more than a thousand real historical figures from the era of the Hundred Years’ War.
Medieval Pottery Village Discovered Beneath French Town
Archaeologists France uncover a medieval pottery village with burials, homes, and kilns spanning the 9th to 13th centuries.
A Man for all Centuries: The Changing Myth of King Arthur
How the legend of King Arthur has changed from the Middle Ages to today, adapting to new audiences while remaining one of the most enduring figures in Western storytelling.
Remains of Medieval Ship Discovered in the Netherlands
A wooden beam discovered in the Dutch town of Wijk bij Duurstede may be part of a medieval ship, with archaeologists investigating whether it dates to the Carolingian era or a later cog vessel.
How Thomas Becket Was Really Murdered in Canterbury Cathedral
Thomas Becket’s murder inside Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 shocked medieval England and quickly turned him into a saint. But what actually happened in those final moments—and why did his death come to be seen as something more than a brutal killing?
Huge Medieval Coin Hoard Discovered in Norway
Over 3,000 silver coins from the Viking Age have been uncovered in Norway, marking the largest medieval hoard ever found in the country and prompting new archaeological research.
The Daily Life of a Medieval King
Discover the daily life of a medieval king through Christine de Pizan’s account of Charles V of France, revealing his routine, duties, and court life.
When Cities Hired Nobles: Military Alliances in Medieval Germany
David Bachrach examines how medieval German cities formed military alliances with nobles, revealing how urban communities managed war, trade, and political power in the thirteenth century.
Medieval Tiles Return to Wenlock Priory After Six Decades
Three medieval tiles taken decades ago from Wenlock Priory in England have been returned, offering new insights into the site’s decorative past.
The Birth of Medieval Europe Revealed by Ancient DNA
Ancient DNA reveals how post-Roman communities mixed and integrated, reshaping the origins of medieval Europe beyond the myth of mass migration.
Medieval Manuscript in Rome Contains Rare Copy of Cædmon’s Hymn
A rediscovered medieval manuscript in Rome reveals a rare early copy of Cædmon’s Hymn, the oldest known poem in English.
Byzantine vs. Viking: The Varangian Guard in Constantinople
How did Viking raiders become imperial bodyguards? Zoe Tsiami tells the story of the Varangian Guard in medieval Constantinople.
Medieval Pollution and Mining Revealed in Alpine Ice Core
Alpine ice cores reveal medieval pollution from mining and metalworking, offering new insights into environmental change.
The Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library, with Nicole Eddy
A conversation with Nicole Eddy about the Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library, one of the most important publishing ventures of recent times when it comes to medieval texts and literature.