When Garlic Defeated the Magnet: The Long Life of a Medieval Natural Belief
For centuries, scholars believed that something as ordinary as garlic could weaken the mysterious power of a magnet. The strange claim survived from…
New Medieval Books: Natural and Supernatural in Early Medieval England
Were strange creatures believed to inhabit the lands just beyond the known world? Could an illness be cured by a plant or a magic spell? As this book reveals, people in medieval England grappled with questions such as these.
Did Medieval Castles Really Have Dungeons?
Dark underground dungeons are closely associated with medieval castles, but historical evidence reveals a very different story about imprisonment in the Middle Ages.
Were Medieval German Soldiers Really Vassals?
David Bachrach challenges the idea that the milites of pre-Crusade Germany were vassals, revealing a diverse class of professional soldiers.
Back to School Sale on Online Medieval Courses
From now until August 31st, use the coupon code BacktoSchool on any of our courses to get 15% off.
10 Open-Access Medieval Studies Articles Published in July 2026
Discover ten open-access medieval studies articles published in July 2026, covering the Voynich Manuscript, King Arthur, bear-bating, archaeology and more.
New Medieval Books: King Arthur
This book revives the debate over who King Arthur was and whether he was a historical figure. It also examines his portrayal in medieval Welsh and English literature and the ways modern scholars have interpreted those traditions.
10 Open-Access Medieval Studies Articles from June 2026
Discover ten open-access medieval studies articles published in June 2026, exploring Tolkien, the Black Death, Viking coins, medieval Sufism, and more.
What Happened After the First Crusade? The Battle for the Coast
Italian fleets, sailors and siege engineers played an overlooked role in capturing the fortified coastal cities of the medieval Holy Land.
New Medieval Books: Venice and the Mongols
As two powers expanded, Venice eastward and the Mongol Empire westward, their interests converged around trade. This book explores their diplomacy and commercial ties, revealing how the Black Sea became a centre of medieval globalization.
Which Medieval Saint Should Protect Us from Heatwaves?
With temperatures rising, which medieval saint should we call upon for protection from the summer heat?
The Politics of Poverty in the Middle Ages
Explore how poverty shaped politics, religious authority and social power in the Middle Ages, and why medieval attitudes towards the poor began to change.
King Arthur and the Sword in the Stone: A Medieval Latin Account
Read a translation of a medieval Latin account of King Arthur, including the Sword in the Stone, his conquests and his final battle.
New Medieval Books: How Genre Governs Creation in the Medieval Icelandic Sagas
Icelandic sagas are a unique form of medieval literature that can be difficult to understand. This book uses ideas about genre, including some drawn from film studies, to offer new ways of reading and interpreting them.
Crime and Conflict in the Medieval Forests of Normandy
Crime, corruption and conflict shaped Normandy’s medieval forests as peasants, monasteries, merchants and royal officials competed over valuable resources.
Who Was Empress Matilda? The Woman and Her Quest to be Ruler of England
In a new assessment of Empress Matilda, Elisabeth van Houts argues that she should be remembered not for a failed coronation, but for a lifetime of political achievement.
10 Lost Medieval Texts Rediscovered Centuries Later
Discover ten medieval works once believed lost, from forgotten chronicles and heroic poems to manuscripts found in caves, libraries and book bindings.
The Combat of the Thirty: Chivalry and Violence in the Hundred Years’ War
Discover how the Combat of the Thirty became a celebrated yet violent expression of medieval chivalry during the Hundred Years’ War.
New Medieval Books: Game On!
When most people think of games and sports in the Middle Ages, chess and jousting probably come to mind. This book, and the exhibition on which it is based, reveal that medieval people enjoyed a much wider range of activities, including Snakes and Ladders.
New Medieval Books: Great Kingdoms of Africa
The medieval era features prominently in this edited volume, which examines several of the most important states to emerge in pre-modern Africa. Its nine studies span regions across the continent.
William and Alice: The Most Popular Names in Medieval England
Discover the most popular names in medieval England, from William and Alice to Hugh and Cecilia, and learn about their origins and meanings.
How the Normans Fought the Byzantine Empire
Explore nearly two centuries of warfare between the Normans and the Byzantine Empire, from southern Italy to the Balkans.
The Letters of Heloise: Love, Learning, and Life as a Medieval Woman
The letters of Heloise reveal her enduring love for Abelard, remarkable learning, religious struggles, and experiences as a medieval woman.
New Medieval Books: People of the Image: Jews and Art
Histories of medieval art usually focus on works made by and for Christians. This book instead explores art created by and for Jewish communities, revealing new perspectives on how people understood and experienced the medieval world.