The Medieval Life of the Colosseum
Archaeologist working on Rome’s Colosseum have discovered that the ancient landmark continued to be used throughout the Middle Ages, but not as a gladiatorial arena. Instead, it was used homes, workshops and even stables.
The ‘Living’ Sword in Early Medieval Northern Europe: An Interdisciplinary Study
This thesis explores perceptions of two-edged swords as ‘living’ artefacts in Anglo-Saxon England and Scandinavia between c. 500 and 1100.
Bathing, Beauty and Christianity in the Middle Ages
I realized that I needed to know much more about the attitude of the early Church to bathing, and how this evolved in the later Middle Ages. It turns out to be considerably more complex than one might suppose.
Animals in the Middle Ages: The Elephant
Here are ten interesting notes about medieval elephants
Old English Words for Relics of the Saints
This study begins with a review of some Latin terms and of certain material traits common to early medieval relic-cults, since these profoundly shaped the Old English vocabulary surveyed in the second part of the paper.
The effects of Viking activity on Scandinavian society
Three ways in which Viking raids and conquests in western Europe affected Scandinavian society are discussed
15 Myths about the Middle Ages
People have some very wrong ideas about the Middle Ages. Here is a list of fifteen of the strangest misconceptions about the medieval period
Deserted Medieval Villages to be protected
Several deserted medieval villages in Northamptonshire, will be officially protected as the British government has designated them as scheduled monuments.
The Khazars did not convert to Judaism, historian finds
It has long been believed that the Khazars, a central Asian people, converted to Judaism in the ninth or tenth century. However, a new article concludes that the conversion never took place.
The Transformers and the Middle Ages
‘My dear girl, I find it hard to believe that my data bank dates your costume to 542 A.D.’ – ‘Fashion is always a year behind Camelot out here in the countryside.’
Got Kids? Get Medieval
If you have kids or know kids who you’d like to expose to the Middle Ages, here are a few books you might like to explore over the summer holiday.
Claude, Duke of Guise and the Battle of Marignano, 1515
The Guise brothers, Claude, Antony and Ferry had become separated during the action. Antony frantically searched for his brothers.
Two King of Kings? Procopius’ Presentation of Justinian and Kosrow I
This paper investigates Procopius’ description of two of the most influential men of his era: the Persian emperor Kosrow I (ruled 531-579), and the Byzantine emperor Justinian (ruled 527-565).
The Sutton Hoo Helmet at the British Museum
Sue Brunning, curator at the British Museum, tells us about the famous Sutton Hoo Helmet, which can be found in Room 41 of the museum.
Demonic Magic in the Icelandic Wizard Legends
Saemund Sigfusson is the earliest of the Icelandic wizards. According to the annals he was born in the year 1056. He was educated in France and returned to Iceland in 1076 or 1078.
Battlefield tourism: meanings and interpretations
Battlefield sites are some of the most iconic locations in any nation’s store of heritage attractions and continue to capture the imagination of visitors. They have strong historic, cultural, nationalistic and moral resonances and speak to people on a national as well as a local scale.
The 700th Anniversary of the Battle of Bannockburn
On June 24, 1314, Scottish and English armies fought the Battle of Bannockburn. Taking place near Stirling Castle in Scotland, the battle saw Robert the Bruce defeat the English ruler Edward II. The victory helped to re-establish Scottish independence from England in the 14th century.
The Wolf Miracle in Magnuss saga lengri
The account of the consumption and regurgitation by wolves of a murdered man, before he is revived by Saint Magnus, is to be found at the very end of the series of miracles tales which concludes Magnuss saga lengri
The Tale of Bealhildis or how an Anglian slave became a saintly French Queen
It is not every day England gives a home girl to be worshipped as a Saint by enthusiastic Gallic crowds.
Saving Da Vinci
Studying a famous Leonardo self-portrait, a team of scientists has developed a new, nondestructive way to gauge degradation of ancient paper art and docs
15th-century copy of The Brus restored
One of the oldest copies of The Brus – the epic poem about Robert the Bruce and the Scottish Wars of Independence – has been restored by the University of Cambridge.
Empress Matilda and the anarchy: the problem of royal succession in medieval England
Why is it that Matilda was unable to secure the throne in her own right? And why do historians continue to debate the legitimacy of her brief lordship?
10 Things to Know About Medieval Drinking Horns
Here are ten things we learned about medieval drinking horns from Vivian Etting’s book The Story of the Drinking Horn.
The report of friar John of Plano Carpini: analysis of an intelligence gathering mission conducted on behalf of the Papacy in the mid thirteenth century
During the course of the Council, Innocent IV sent three separate embassies to the Mongols: two Dominican missions under Andrew of Longjurneau and Friar Ascelin respectively, and a Franciscan mission under Carpini.