Constantinople as seen by its inhabitants, with Paul Magdalino
A conversation with Paul Magdalino about the literary traditions and genres that Constantinopolitans developed to talk about the origins, history, cosmic importance, and superlative beauty of their city — the City.
Dowager Queens of Korea with Alban Schmid – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 275
Though they’re often overlooked, the dowager queens of Korea were the one of the most powerful legitimizing forces behind the throne. This week, Danièle speaks with Alban Schmid about how Korea was ruled in the late Middle Ages, its relationship to Ming China, and the power wielded by the women at the top.
10 Quirky and Fascinating Medieval Book Titles
We all know that for a book to get noticed it needs a catchy title. Apparently, in the Middle Ages authors could think of some really great titles too! Here are ten of the best.
New Medieval Books: Women and the Reformations
From queens like Elizabeth I to mystics such as Teresa of Ávila, women held pivotal roles in the religious struggles that shaped Christianity during the late Middle Ages and Early Modern period. This book examines the Reformation and Counter Reformation through several leading female figures, both within and outside of Europe.
100 Medieval Words that Mean Something New Today
The words we speak today are more than just tools for communication—they are threads that weave together centuries of history. From the medieval…
New Medieval Books: Son of Prophecy
This biography of Henry Tudor delves into his ancestry, tracing his lineage across several generations before detailing his path to the English throne. The book places a particular emphasis on the Tudors’ Welsh heritage and connections.
17 Forbidden Medieval Superstitions and Practices
Discover the strange and forbidden practices that medieval Church authorities fought to banish—but never fully eradicated.
New Medieval Books: The Teutonic Knights
The Teutonic Knights, a prominent military order, were active primarily in the Baltic region but also played a significant role in the Near East and Transylvania. This book explores their origins, rise to regional dominance, and eventual decline.
Online Course: The Crusades 1095-1187: A Multi-Perspective History
Starting January 23, 2025 is a six-week online course: The Crusades 1095-1187: A Multi-Perspective History.
What Things Were Worth in the Middle Ages
Discover how medieval societies defined worth—not just in gold and wages, but through symbolic treasures, priceless gifts, and the stories objects carried.
The Winter Blues in the Middle Ages
Winter got you feeling down? You’re not alone. The long, dark nights of winter have always been the cause for a little doom and gloom, especially before the age of electric lights and electric blankets.
New Medieval Books: Diary of a Black Jewish Messiah
This book presents a translation of a fascinating and highly unusual 16th-century text: the diary of a self-proclaimed Jewish leader—though he was likely a con artist—who traveled across Europe meeting with rulers as part of a scheme to wage war against the Ottoman Empire. Even after reading this diary, you may still find yourself questioning who this enigmatic figure truly was and what his ultimate goals might have been.
The Myth of the Medieval Flail: Separating Fact from Fiction
The flail, with its chain and spiked ball, is an iconic image of medieval weaponry in the collective imagination. However, its actual use on medieval battlefields is highly contested
Violence and Vice: Crime in Medieval Cairo
From violent disputes to daring robberies, the streets of Cairo often became a stage for chaos, where justice was swift and brutal.
New Medieval Books: Letters of the Princes of Wallachia
A collection of 76 letters and charters from 15th-century Wallachian rulers, including eight letters penned by Vlad III, the notorious prince who inspired the legend of ‘Dracula.’
How Coughs Were Treated in the Middle Ages
Discover how medieval healers used liquorice, saffron, and other surprising ingredients to craft remedies for coughs over a thousand years ago.
Medieval Eastern Europe with Florin Curta
This week, Danièle speaks with Florin Curta about why it’s taken the field so long to address Eastern Europe, why we need to look at enslavement as part of our understanding of the European Middle Ages broadly, and how we can all get started including Eastern Europe in our scholarship, is coming up right after this.
The Struggles of Travel in the Middle Ages
Travel in the Middle Ages was anything but easy. From grueling journeys on foot to muddy, impassable roads and slow-moving carts, medieval travelers faced challenges that make modern road trips seem luxurious.
New Medieval Books: El Cid
The original Rodrigo Diaz was a mercenary who fought for Christian and Muslim rulers, and for himself. This book tracks how, over the centuries, this figure becomes El Cid, the Christian and Spanish hero.
Reclaiming Medievalism: Washington Cathedral’s Break with Confederate Memory
Uncover the story of Washington Cathedral’s transformation, as it sheds Confederate symbols and reclaims medievalism to reflect a modern vision of justice and unity.
15 Modern Words With Unusual Medieval Origins
Discover 15 everyday words with surprising medieval origins that reveal how the Middle Ages shaped our modern language.
Why Did the Crusader States Fight So Many Battles (Especially When They Shouldn’t Have)?
Why did the Crusader States engage in so many battles when the odds and outcomes often seemed stacked against them?
New Medieval Books: An Introduction to Jean Bodel
Those studying medieval literature will enjoy having this excellent biography of a somewhat under-appreciated twelfth-century writer.
New Medieval Books: The Beauty of Ugliness and the Ugliness of Beauty
A collection of five essays exploring the significance of physical appearance in the Middle Ages. Delving into law and literature, this work sheds light on how medieval people perceived and interpreted physical traits, revealing deeper insights into their society and culture.