Medieval Words That Became Slang
Discover how medieval words took on new meanings and became slang over time, from surprising insults to unexpected expressions.
10 Men Who Nearly Became King of England
Meet ten men who nearly became king of England in the Middle Ages, including Edward the Black Prince, Arthur of Brittany, and Louis VIII.
New Medieval Books: Widow City
In late medieval Italy, women often outlived their husbands. This book examines writings from the period to explore the different ways widows mourned their spouses and how they chose to carry on with their lives afterwards.
Did Medieval People Have Bad Teeth and Bad Breath?
Did people in the Middle Ages really suffer from terrible teeth and foul breath? A closer look at medieval medical texts and hygiene practices reveals a more complex picture of dental care and everyday health.
New Medieval Books: Approaching Records of the Household and Wardrobe
The Household and Wardrobe Accounts are English records that document the daily needs of the king and his family. This book serves as a guide to these sources, showing how they can be used and what valuable insights they offer into medieval government.
Legacy of the Geats: How the Memory of Beowulf’s Tribe Survives in Modern Sweden
Explore how the memory of the Geats—Beowulf’s tribe—survives in the language, place names, and landscape of modern Sweden.
New Medieval Books: Chronicle of Michael the Great
One of the most important accounts from the Near East in the 12th century is the Chronicle of Michael the Great. This book offers an English translation of the abridged Armenian version of that chronicle.
Betrayal or Mistake? Rethinking the Defeat at Manzikert
Was the Byzantine defeat at Manzikert caused by betrayal or by poor decisions on the battlefield? George Theotokis re-examines the medieval chroniclers and the search for scapegoats after one of Byzantium’s most famous defeats.
New Medieval Books: Othon de Grandson
Othon de Grandson was one of the leading household knights of Edward I of England. This biography traces Othon’s career, from his military service in Wales to his participation in crusading expeditions to the Near East and his later work as a diplomat in continental Europe.
10 Ways Video Games Have Rewritten the Middle Ages
How have video games reshaped our view of the Middle Ages? Discover ten ways gaming has transformed how we imagine medieval society, rulers, religion, and history.
New Medieval Books: Silence of the Gods
By the end of the Middle Ages, the last predominantly pagan regions of Europe were undergoing conversion to Christianity. This book traces that transition and explores how older pagan beliefs and practices continued to endure for centuries afterward.
Leoba: England’s Earliest Female Poet
In the eighth century, an English nun named Leoba composed a short Latin poem that has quietly survived for more than a millennium. Though brief, the verse offers valuable insight into the education, literary culture, and spiritual ambitions of women in the early medieval Church.
New Medieval Books: Castles and Strongholds of Northumberland
Planning to visit the northeast corner of England and explore its many castles? This guide is your companion, now expanded to include over 500 entries.
New Online Course: En Garde! Fencing in Late Medieval and Early Modern England
This six-week course begins Friday, March 6th, with live sessions from 2:00 to 3:30 pm EST.
Charlemagne’s Failed Invasion of Spain, 777–778
David Bachrach on Charlemagne’s failed invasion of Spain in 777–778, a campaign that ended with the Frankish defeat at Roncevaux Pass and later inspired the Song of Roland.
New Medieval Books: The Lost Kingdom: The Rise and Fall of the Taifa of Albarracín (1012–1300)
This book attempts to recount the history of the small taifa state of Albarracín in Iberia. Unfortunately, it provides too few details to serve as a truly useful resource.
Caterina Sforza’s Renaissance Recipes for ‘Restoring’ Virginity
Did Renaissance writers believe virginity could be restored? Recipes attributed to Caterina Sforza offer a surprising glimpse into late medieval medicine.
New Medieval Books: The Taifa Kingdoms
Iberia in the eleventh century fractured into dozens of rival states, triggering decades of warfare and political upheaval. Bringing together 23 papers, this volume offers the most comprehensive account of the taifa era and its wider impact.
The Survival of Roman Education in Early Medieval Britain
Roman rule ended in 410, but Latin education did not. Nicholas J. Higham explores elite learning and literary culture in post-Roman Britain.
15 Plots Against William the Conqueror
Discover 15 rebellions, conspiracies, and assassination plots against William the Conqueror, from his youth in Normandy to his reign as King of England.
Baybars and the Fall of the Syrian Assassins
Steve Tibble on how Baybars dismantled the Syrian Assassins, turned them into Mamluk agents, and reshaped Nizari Ismailism in the thirteenth century.
New Medieval Books: Father Chaucer and the Apologists
One of the most hotly debated issues in medieval literary studies in recent years concerns Cecily Chaumpaigne, Geoffrey Chaucer, and the contested meaning of the phrase de raptu meo. This book traces how scholars have interpreted the case since the nineteenth century and shows how those debates have shaped—and sometimes reshaped—the study of Chaucer’s writings.
Online Courses on Medieval Music
If you are interested in medieval music, we have six online courses starting up over the next three months.
New Medieval Books: The Conqueror’s Gift
The Romans were deeply connected with peoples both within and beyond their empire. This book explores how those ties shifted between the first and seventh centuries AD—especially as Christianity spread—and how these changes reshaped the Empire.
