A New History of the Fourteenth Century with Helen Carr
The fourteenth-century is one of the most turbulent periods in European history. Famine, war, plague, royal depositions – you name it, this century’s got it. This week, Danièle speaks with Helen Carr about how England fared in these wild times, what her take is on some famous Plantagenets, and why we need to take a fresh look at this calamitous century.
Medieval Manuscripts in Living Colour
Discover how medieval scribes turned manuscripts into vibrant works of art — from rare pigments and gold leaf to enduring brilliance a millennium later.
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.
Sana’i’s Sharp-Tongued Portrait of 12th-Century Ghaznavid Society
Discover how the Persian poet Sana’i captured the splendour and scandals of the Ghaznavid Empire. His verses celebrate kings and mystics yet mercilessly lampoon scholars, courtiers, and even the city itself.
How to Be a Medieval Hitman – What It Took to Be an Assassin Fidais
The medieval Assassin fidais were elite Nizari killers whose fearsome reputation blended myth, legend and the stark reality of their missions.
Online Course: Dark Age Britain
A five-week course exploring Britain between the 5th and 8th centuries, traditionally referred to as the ‘Dark Ages’. Discover some of the lesser known aspects, themes, evidence, and figures of this interesting period, which was anything but ‘dark’.
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.
20 Medieval Riddles: Can You Solve Them All?
Take our quiz of 20 medieval riddles by the monk Claret and test your wits against these centuries-old puzzles.
Knighthood Before the Crusades: Bishop Gerard of Cambrai’s Vision of Medieval Society
This article examines Bishop Gerard of Cambrai’s vision of medieval society, contrasting it with Georges Duby’s influential model of knighthood and the three orders before the Crusades.
Medieval Wills and Testaments with Robert A. Wood
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Robert A. Wood about medieval wills, funerals, and some memorable bequests
Childhood in the Middle Ages
What was childhood like in the Middle Ages?
Sinan: The Old Man of the Mountain
Meet Rashid al-Din Sinan, the Nizari Ismaili leader remembered as the “Old Man of the Mountain,” who built fortresses, trained the Assassins, and shaped one of the most feared movements of the medieval Middle East.
Online Course: Anointed Sounds: Exploring Political Power and Religion in Medieval Music Manuscripts
A six-week course exploring medieval music and the intertwined powers of politics and religion.
The Voice of a Medieval Duchess: Matilda of Głogów and Her Charters
Matilda of Głogów’s charters reveal how a medieval duchess asserted authority, supported religious women, and invoked female saints to shape her rule in Silesia.
Castle for Sale in Scotland
Overlooking the dramatic cliffs of Scotland’s southwest coast, Dunskey Castle is now on the market, offering eight acres of land and a ruin steeped in history.
The Making of Monty Python and the Holy Grail: Chaos, Castles, and Comedy
Explore the chaotic, low-budget making of Monty Python and the Holy Grail—from castles and coconuts to comedy legends and cult success.
Assassins and the Strategy of the Underdog
The Assassins of medieval Persia were a small, unpopular sect, but they developed a strategy that allowed them to punch far above their weight. By seizing castles, cultivating converts, and carrying out targeted killings, they created a network of power that defied even the Seljuk Turks
15 Sayings of Medieval Steppe Warriors
Discover 15 medieval sayings from the Book of Dede Korkut, capturing the wisdom, honour, and values of nomadic steppe warriors.
How the Carolingians Organized Military Service in the Ninth Century
Explore how the Carolingians organized military service in the ninth century, from wealth-based militia obligations to the Edict of Pîtres, the Benevento Capitulary, and Louis the German’s charter.
Forensic Medicine and Death Investigation with Sara Butler
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Sara Butler about forensic medicine, and how death investigation was conducted in medieval England.
Trial by Combat and Fire: The Strangest Way to Settle a Medieval Religious Dispute
A medieval king turned to trial by combat and fire to decide a religious dispute in Spain — one of the strangest episodes of the Middle Ages.
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.
A Summer in Castles – Bow & Blade, Episode 61
In this episode of the podcast, Michael and Kelly let us know where they have been the last few months – and this includes going to a lot of medieval castles and cities.
The Medieval Discovery of King Arthur and Guinevere at Glastonbury Abbey
Discover how twelfth-century monks at Glastonbury Abbey claimed to find the tomb of King Arthur and Guinevere. Explore Gerald of Wales’ dramatic account, rival chronicles, and the enduring legend of Arthur’s grave.
