New Medieval Books: Abbot John Whethamstede’s Chronicle of the Abbey of St Albans 1452-1461
This book presents a translation of a 15th-century chronicle, a key primary source for the study of the Wars of the Roses.
New Medieval Books: The Birth of the Anglo-Saxons
This book explores the rise of the Kingdom of Mercia, focusing on the reigns of Æthelbald (716–757) and Offa (757–796). It shows how Mercia became a dominant power in early medieval Britain, laying crucial foundations for the emergence of England.
New Medieval Books: New Stories Told while Trimming the Wick
This collection of 22 short stories from the early Ming Dynasty holds the distinction of being the first work of fiction ever banned in China. Fortunately, these tales—ranging from tender romances to eerie encounters with the supernatural—have survived for us to enjoy today.
New Medieval Books: Al-Qata’i: Ibn Tulun’s City Without Walls
This novel brings to life the rise and fall of the ninth-century Egyptian capital founded by the ambitious governor-turned-ruler Ahmad Ibn Tulun. Blending historical detail with vivid storytelling, Bassiouney explores the city’s architecture, politics, and cultural legacy.
Writing a World History of Warfare
A behind-the-scenes look at writing Warfare in the Global Middle Ages by one of its co-authors.
New Medieval Books: Routledge Handbook of Medieval Military Strategy
This collection of 31 essays sheds light on the strategies and tactics of a wide range of medieval states and kingdoms. As a truly global history, it brings attention to subjects often overlooked by military historians.
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.
New Medieval Books: Johannes Gutenberg
This book explores the life and legacy of Johannes Gutenberg, the German craftsman credited with inventing movable type. It offers a nuanced perspective on his role in the history of printing while shedding light on what we truly know about his work and personal story.
New Medieval Books: The Crown of Thorns
Among the most striking images of Jesus Christ is his mock coronation with the Crown of Thorns. But what if this was never a crown of thorns at all? This book explores the origins of the symbol, its transformation across centuries, and the ways medieval kings appropriated the imagery for their own authority.
New Medieval Books: Barbarian Queens and the Conversion of Europe
Queens played a pivotal role in bringing Christianity to new parts of Europe – or at least that’s how the story goes. This book explores eight cases in which women married pagan rulers and worked to introduce and establish the Christian faith among their husbands and the people they ruled.
New Medieval Books: Medieval Silesia
Silesia, a region in eastern Europe now divided between southwest Poland, the Czech Republic, and Germany, was once a powerful duchy in the Middle Ages. This book explores its politics, society, and the people who shaped its history.
New Medieval Books: Madinat al-Zahra
In the 10th century, the wealthiest and most dazzling centre of Europe was Madinat al-Zahra, the Radiant City, built as the capital of the Caliphate of Córdoba. This volume brings together fifteen essays that explore the history and legacy of this extraordinary palace-city, alongside the exquisite artefacts crafted within its walls.
New Biography Revives the Reputation of Æthelstan, the First King of England
A new biography of Æthelstan, released to mark 1,100 years since his coronation in 925, seeks to restore the early medieval ruler’s reputation as the first king of England.
New Medieval Books: The Elder Futhark
At the dawn of the Middle Ages, one of Europe’s most important writing systems was the Elder Futhark. This book introduces this runic alphabet, exploring its symbols and how they were inscribed on rune stones and everyday objects.
New Medieval Books: The Unruly Tongue
How free should speech be? And what limits, if any, should restrain it? This question echoes across centuries—from modern debates to the turbulent politics of medieval Italy. This book examines the latter, revealing how words shaped power, conflict, and society in the city-states of medieval Italy.
New Medieval Books: Black Knights
Medieval Arabic literature frequently included Black African characters, offering valuable insight into contemporary ideas about race and race relations. This book examines those sources to uncover how such concepts developed in the Middle Ages and how they have continued to influence perceptions of race up to the present day.
New Medieval Books: The Wilted Lily
Les Grandes Chroniques de France, one of the most important sources for French medieval history, was first compiled in the 13th century and continued until 1461. This book explores not only its value as a historical record but also its role in shaping the ideals and lessons intended for French kings.
Faith Tibble and the Crown of Thorns: Rethinking a Medieval Icon
Faith Tibble’s new book, The Crown of Thorns: Humble Gods and Humiliated Kings, challenges centuries of assumptions about one of Christianity’s most iconic symbols. Drawing on meticulous research and a storyteller’s touch, she invites readers to look again at the medieval art they thought they knew.
‘The Chola Tigers’: A New Historical Novel Set in Medieval India
HarperCollins India announces The Chola Tigers, Amish Tripathi’s new historical novel set in the 11th century. A sequel to Legend of Suheldev, the book follows Emperor Rajendra Chola’s mission against Mahmud of Ghazni.
New Medieval Books: The Deeds of the Neapolitan Bishops
In the eighth and ninth centuries, Naples was an autonomous city-state navigating complex relationships with its neighbours. This book presents the original text and translation of a contemporary account that chronicles the city’s local history during this period.
New Medieval Books: Henry III: Reform, Rebellion, Civil War, Settlement, 1258-1272
The second volume in the monumental biography of Henry III, it tells the story of how the English king faced growing discontent, leading to a rebellion that almost ended his long reign.
New Medieval Books: The Warhorse in England
Horses played a vital role in medieval warfare, and this book draws on the governmental records of Kings Edward I and Edward II to reveal how these animals were raised, trained for combat, and managed during military campaigns.
New Medieval Books: Images of Thomas Becket in the Middle Ages and Beyond
When Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170, he was instantly transformed into one of the most prominent figures in medieval Christianity. His image spread widely across Europe, appearing in manuscripts, sculptures, stained glass windows, and other forms of material culture. This book brings together 11 essays that explore how Becket was represented, remembered, and venerated through these visual and physical media.
New Medieval Books: Frederick Barbarossa
This biography chronicles the life of Frederick Barbarossa, one of the most influential figures of the 12th century. As Holy Roman Emperor, his reign was marked by a relentless struggle for power across the German and Italian realms, as well as a pivotal role in the Crusades.
