Who was Edward I?
The Five-Minute Medievalist talks about the life and times of Edward I, King of England.
Medieval Grooming Tools
The Five-Minute Medievalist takes a look at some of the grooming tools from the Middle Ages that she has come across in her travels.
When were the Middle Ages?
The Five-Minute Medievalist answers the question, ‘When were the Middle Ages?’
The Medieval Love Letters of H and a Lady
The story of a remarkable set of three letters written in verse, preserved in a 12th century manuscript, which tells of love between a woman and a man.
Color in the Middle Ages
Here are five colorful facts about color in the Middle Ages, courtesy the research of French historian Michel Pastoureau.
When Medieval England was Almost Invaded
Froissart enthusiastically notes that many among the French host ‘considered England to be already crushed and devastated, all her men killed, and her women and children brought to France in slavery’.
New Medieval Books: Music in the Middle Ages
Five recently published books about medieval music.
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.
10 New Youtube Videos for Medieval Lovers – Volume 3
Ten videos recently posted on Youtube for the medievalist’s viewing pleasure!
Mass grave maybe from the Viking Great Army, archaeologists find
A team of archaeologists has discovered that a mass grave uncovered in the 1980s dates to the Viking Age and may have been a burial site of the Viking Great Army war dead.
Using AI to uncover the mystery of the Voynich manuscript
Modern scientific methods help decipher language and meaning of medieval manuscript.
The Miracle of the Unspilled Beer
Was not spilling beer important enough to be considered a miracle? For one seventh-century writer it was!
Anglo-Saxon Punishments: The Price of a Pinky
Recognizing that an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind, medieval lawmakers believed that justice could be satisfied by aggressors making financial compensation to victims.
Úlfhams rímur: A Tale of An Accursed Prince
An accursed king of Gotland is betrayed by his queen to an untimely death. The young prince, the legitimate heir to the throne, is imprisoned in a burial mound of a blood-drinking (un)dead shieldmaiden until …
How Much Do You Know About Leonardo da Vinci?
Leonardo da Vinci’s “lost” painting, Salvator Mundi recently sold for a record breaking 450 million dollars! How much do you really know about the famous Renaissance man? Take this quiz to find out!
Arthur and the Giant of Mont-Saint-Michel: The Creation of a Folktale
The article traces the transformation of history into fiction, in Geoffrey of Monmouth’s story of King Arthur’s attacks on the Romans and his battle against the (Spanish) Giant of Mont-Saint-Michel
Modern mathematics is used to solve question about medieval war
In the year 1014, the fate of Ireland would be decided at the Battle of Clontarf. The Irish King Brian Boru would defeat a Viking army, although at the cost of his own life. However, there is one historical debate about this conflict – was it really a battle against the Vikings, or an internal civil war?
Escaping the Mongols: A Survivor’s Account from the 13th century
In the year 1241, a Mongol army invaded eastern Europe, ravaging Poland, Hungary, Croatia and Romania.
The Medieval Vegetarian
The idea that it was wrong to meat in the Middle Ages was certainly not widely held. Most people would consume meat from cattle, sheep and other animals without any vexation. However, one well-known 11th century poet was not only a vegetarian, but also a practicing vegan.
The Battle of Culloden in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery – Part 2: The Battle and Aftermath
This lady’s story is one of courage and Jacobite patriotism; without her, the Prince may never succeed in making his voyage to Skye, which inspired the folk song quoted in the beginning.
The Battle of Culloden in the Scottish National Portrait Gallery – Part 1: Prelude
When day dawned on April 16th, 1746, what would be the final pitched battle on the British soil took place on the field of Culloden near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands.
Political and Cultural Relations between Norway and England after the Conquest
What I want to suggest here is that there were important connection between Anglo-Norman England and Scandinavian literature and culture as well, even though the Anglo-Norman kings and writers increasingly looked to the continent for modes of explaining their society.
Is the Bayeux Tapestry coming to Britain?
Reports suggest the Bayeux Tapestry – one of the most famous pieces of medieval art – will be loaned to the British Museum for several months.
Is it medieval or mediaeval?
Why do we have these two spellings, and why has medieval become more popular?