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.
Online Course: En Garde! Fencing in Late Medieval and Early Modern England
This six-week course begins Friday, July 24th, with live sessions from 2:00-3:30 pm Eastern Time (Toronto/New York).
The Fifth Crusade: 5 Fascinating Facts from the Forgotten Campaign
Discover five fascinating facts about the Fifth Crusade, from the siege of Damietta and military innovations to the Nile’s decisive role in its failure.
15 Legendary Medieval Places People Believed Were Real
Explore 15 legendary places that shaped medieval maps, literature and beliefs about the distant and unknown parts of the world.
The Battle of Formigny (1450)
As the Hundred Years’ War entered its final chapter, England and France fought for control of Normandy. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly examine the road to the Battle of Formigny and its decisive impact on the war.
The Viking Sieges of Medieval Paris
Why were the Vikings able to besiege Paris twice? Danielle Turner explores the political divisions, military strategy, and decisions that shaped these famous ninth-century attacks.
Heresy and Orthodoxy in the Byzantine Empire
Discover how the Byzantine Empire defined orthodoxy, confronted heresy, and used councils, theology, and imperial power to defend Christian unity.
Online Course: Relics in Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Relics in Antiquity and the Middle Ages is a six-week course starting on July 23rd, with live sessions on Thursdays from 1:00–2:30 pm Eastern Time (Toronto/New York).
New Medieval Books: Medieval Twitter
For about 17 years, Twitter served as an important place for conversation and debate in the online world. This book examines how the medievalist community used the platform to exchange ideas, build connections, and engage in everything from friendly discussions to heated disputes.