10 Medieval Studies’ Articles Published Last Month
What’s new in medieval studies? Here are ten open-access articles published in November, which include papers ranging from bee amulets to the Stone of Scone.
The Impalings of Vlad the Impaler
One of the most infamous characters from the Middle Ages was Vlad III Dracula, the prince of Wallachia. Here is the story of how he gained the nickname of ‘the Impaler’.
How to Insult Like a Medieval Monk
Learn how medieval monks at Cluny waged battles with words, using biting poetry, classical references, and cutting invective to uphold their spiritual legacy.
Time, Prayer, and Song: Medieval Monasticism and the Divine Office
Explore the origins and daily practice of the Divine Office in the Middle Ages, from the Desert Fathers to Benedictine monasteries, where time, music, and prayer shaped every aspect of monastic life.
The Medieval Order of Assassins with Steve Tibble
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Steve Tibble about who the Assassins were, what tactics they used in the Middle Ages, and what this legendary order stood for.
Medieval Dreaming and Divination in Byzantium
Explore how Byzantines—emperors and commoners alike—interpreted their dreams through intuition, tradition, and oneirokritika, revealing a rich spiritual culture that blended ancient beliefs with Christian thought.
New Medieval Books: Motherland
A sweeping exploration of pre-modern African history, this book traces the continent’s cultures, migrations, and identities. It blends rigorous research with personal reflection to highlight Africa’s global influence and enduring legacy.
Diabolus in Musica: Did the Medieval Church Believe that the Tritone Could Summon the Devil?
From terrifying medieval depictions of Satan to the enduring myth of the “Devil’s interval,” this article uncovers what people really believed about the tritone and its place in medieval music.
The Medieval Folktale of St. Prokop of Sázava
Discover the extraordinary folk traditions surrounding St. Prokop of Sázava, a medieval Czech saint whose legend includes demon expulsions, devotion to the Slavonic rite, and a ghostly return to defend his monastery.
Work, Prayer and Service: The Beguines of Medieval Paris
A detailed look at the beguines of medieval Paris, examining their origins, royal support, daily life, and the debates their unconventional religious vocation sparked.
Le Boucicaut: A Medieval French Marshal in Byzantium
Explore the remarkable journey of Boucicaut, the medieval French marshal whose 1399–1400 expedition to Byzantium placed him at the centre of crusading politics and Ottoman-Byzantine conflict
Medieval Metamorphosis: Bera and Her Magical Meal
A look at the cannibalistic enchantment in Hrólfs saga kraka and what it reveals about magic, sympathetic rites, and late medieval Icelandic culture.
The Best Medieval Insults
Explore authentic medieval insults—witty, crude, and revealing—from chronicles, court records, and literary texts across the Middle Ages.
Best Medieval Books of 2025
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: time to celebrate the best medieval books of 2025. This week, Danièle speaks with Peter Konieczny, editor of Medievalists.net, about their favourite reads this year – and she announces some exciting news about the future of The Medieval Podcast.
New Medieval Books: The Très Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry
The Très Riches Heures of Jean, Duke of Berry: The Masterpiece of Medieval Illumination Edited by Mathieu Deldicque Rizzoli Electa ISBN: 978-0-8478-7597-9 The…
Medieval Time: Candles, Sundials, Clocks, and Stars
How did medieval people tell time? What devices did they use to mark its passage?
New Medieval Books: The Labyrinth of Fortune
This fifteenth-century epic, presented with both its text and translation, offers a journey akin to Dante’s Divine Comedy—yet beneath its allegory lies a pointed commentary on the turmoil gripping Castile during this period.
Online Medieval Courses: Black Friday Sale
Interested in taking an online course about the Middle Ages? Now is the time, as we are having our Black Friday sale.
Musical Retribution: The Medieval Tale of the Pied Piper of Hamelin
A look into the medieval folk tale The Pied Piper of Hamelin and what occurred in the thirteenth-century German town of Hamelin.
Why the Death Penalty Was Rare in Medieval Europe
Discover why the death penalty was rare in medieval Europe, as courts relied on fines, banishment, and royal pardons instead of routine execution.
New Medieval Books: Behold the Bird in Flight
A coming-of-age story and a royal love triangle marked by danger and longing, based on real events in medieval France and England.
The Medieval Moon with Ayoush Lazikani
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Ayoush Lazikani about what – and who – medieval people across the world believed the moon to be.
All for the Want of a Warhorse: Horse Breeding and Royal Warfare in Thirteenth-Century England
Edward I responded to England’s medieval warhorse shortage with export bans, foreign purchases, and an expanded royal stud system. His policies show how crucial trained warhorses were to military campaigns in Wales, Scotland, and on the Continent.
Online Course: The Art of the Middle Ages in Europe
Beginning Tuesday, November 18th, this four-week online course explores the architecture, paintings, and decorative arts from different nations during the medieval period using a multicultural and intersectional approach.
