The Battle of Campaldino (1289)
Florence and its allies faced the forces of Arezzo in one of the most important battles of medieval Tuscany. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss the Battle of Campaldino and the fighting that brought Dante Alighieri onto the battlefield.
The Art of the Empire of Nicaea, with Naomi Pitamber
A conversation with Naomi Pitamber about the art and architecture of the empire of Nicaea (Nikaia), the Roman state that emerged in Asia Minor after the disaster of 1204.
Visiting Marc Bloch at the Panthéon: Dilexit Veritatem
Richard Utz visits Marc Bloch’s memorial at the Panthéon in Paris and reflects on the medieval historian’s legacy as a scholar, soldier and Resistance fighter.
New Medieval Books: A Shapeshifter in Love
This book invites you to compare two stories about shapeshifting. The first is the 12th-century tale Yonec, while the second is The Beauty and the Beast, which was written in the 18th century.
Hot Springs and Thermalism in the Middle Ages
Explore how people in the Middle Ages used hot springs for healing and relaxation, giving rise to medical treatments and medieval spa tourism.
Was the Comital Office in the Carolingian and Ottonian Empires Hereditary?
Historians have long argued that the comital office became hereditary under the Carolingians and Ottonians. David Bachrach examines the medieval evidence and challenges that assumption.
Astrology, Omens, and Power in Byzantium
How astrology, omens, and prophecy influenced imperial power, political decisions, and religious belief in Byzantium.
How Medieval People Used Magic in Everyday Life
Discover how medieval people used magic in everyday life, from healing charms and protective amulets to divination, astrology and finding lost objects.
Book Review: Castles: A Fortified History of the World
What can castles tell us about the people who built them and the societies they sought to defend? Nicholas Morton reviews Dan Jones’…
How Fatimid Cairo Shaped Norman Sicily
Discover how the architecture of Fatimid Cairo influenced the churches, palaces and artistic culture of Norman Sicily during the Middle Ages.
When Medieval Priests Went to Court: Three Disputes from the 10th Century
Tithes, parish boundaries and new chapels could spark conflict between medieval priests. Explore three disputes from the 10th century and how they were resolved.
How to Make Medieval Soap: A 14th-Century Recipe You Can Try
Explore a 14th-century English recipe for medieval soap, made with sheep tallow, oak ashes and other ingredients, and discover how the process worked.
New Medieval Books: A Catalog of Benevolent Items
In 16th-century China, a vast encyclopedia brought together knowledge about medicine and the natural world. This book gives you a taste of this fascinating work and its remarkable range of subjects, from soybeans and dragons to poisons and ice.
What to Expect at the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition
Get an inside look at the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, including how the famous medieval embroidery is displayed, what you’ll see and what to expect.
The Book of Hy-Brasil: A “Magical” Manuscript’s Journey from Baghdad to Ireland
Trace the Book of Hy-Brasil from medieval Baghdad to Ireland and discover how a medical manuscript became the subject of an otherworldly legend.
New Medieval Books: The Fifth Crusade
The Fifth Crusade is often overlooked, even by those who study the Crusades. This book shows why its story deserves greater attention, offering valuable insights into the politics and warfare of the medieval Near East.
What the Bayeux Tapestry Really Tells Us About Medieval Warfare
The Bayeux Tapestry offers a vivid picture of medieval warfare, but how reliable is it? John France examines what it reveals about Hastings, weapons, armour and cavalry.
Online Course: The Devil’s Brood: The Angevin Empire, 1154–1216
This online course, taught by James Barnaby, starts on September 16th, with live sessions each Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm EST.
Why Did Medieval Chroniclers Copy Other Histories?
Medieval chroniclers often borrowed from earlier texts, but their copying could serve literary and political purposes. Christopher Berard examines how writers reused the past to shape their accounts of contemporary events.
How the De Burgos Became More Irish Than the Irish
How the Anglo-Norman de Burgos became powerful Gaelic lords in medieval Ireland, adopting Irish laws and customs while battling for control of Connacht.
30 Medieval Empires
A guide to 30 medieval empires from across Europe, Africa and Asia, looking at their rise, expansion, greatest extent and eventual decline.
Relics and Rulers: The Politics of Holiness in Byzantium
Saints and relics shaped political authority, religious life, and economic power in the Byzantine Empire.
New Medieval Books: The Postal Revolution
Sending a letter in late medieval Italy changed dramatically over the centuries. This book traces how an initially ad hoc system of messengers developed into increasingly organised and professional courier networks, eventually becoming a significant business in its own right.
Online Medieval Courses Starting in September
This month sees three courses set to start, dealing with the Carolingians, the Angevins, and the Crusades.