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.
How Medieval Bishops Took Monastic Wealth to Pay Their Soldiers
Medieval bishops needed soldiers, but maintaining them came at a cost. David Bachrach explores how monastic wealth was used to support military households.
New Medieval Books: Crusader Principality of Antioch from Bohemond I to Bohemond III (1098-1161)
When it comes to the Crusader States, the Principality of Antioch is often overlooked. This book aims to correct that, offering an in-depth examination of its political history during the first six decades of its existence.
The War of the Gallows: A Medieval Struggle for Power
In fourteenth-century Burgundy, gallows were more than places of execution. They became powerful symbols in struggles over justice, territory and princely authority.
New Medieval Books: The Fatimids
In the early tenth century, a new Islamic movement emerged in North Africa and soon developed into a powerful empire. This book examines the rise and fall of the Fatimids, their expansion across the medieval world, and how their rule helped create a ‘Golden Age’ in Egypt.
25 Greek Proverbs from the Middle Ages and Beyond
Discover 25 Greek proverbs about life, luck, work, wisdom and human nature, including sayings with roots in the Byzantine and medieval world.
The Forgotten Tsunami of 1303: A Medieval Mediterranean Disaster
A powerful earthquake in 1303 triggered a devastating tsunami that struck Crete, Egypt and the Levant, leaving destruction across the medieval Mediterranean.
How to Make a King Fall in Love, According to Medieval Magic
How do you make a medieval king fall in love? The Picatrix has the answer, but you’ll need wax, strange ingredients and a little magic.
New Medieval Books: The Merseburg Charms
In the 10th century, a cleric in Germany wrote down two magical charms rooted in pre-Christian pagan beliefs. This book takes a detailed look at the Merseburg Charms, exploring their origins, meaning, and significance.
Online Course: The Carolingians
Online course begins Friday, September 4th.
Inside the 20th Viking Congress: Where Viking Studies Is Heading
A first-hand look inside the 20th Viking Congress in Norway, where scholars explored new research and the future direction of Viking Studies.
New Medieval Books: Letter on the Double Eclipse of the Sun
Wondering how people understood astronomy in the Early Middle Ages? This book offers the text and translation of a letter to Charlemagne prompted by a rare astronomical event that took place in the early ninth century.
The Battle of Ramla: How Baldwin I Nearly Lost Everything
Baldwin I expected a minor raid at Ramla in 1102. Instead, the King of Jerusalem faced a powerful Fatimid army and one of his most disastrous defeats.
New Medieval Books: The Mongol Archive in Late Medieval France
As news reached 13th-century Europe of a new power emerging in the East, the kings of France were among those most eager to learn more about these mysterious newcomers. This book traces their efforts to understand the Mongols, establish connections with them, and explores how these encounters left their mark on medieval France.
Dear Dad, Send Money: Letters from Students in the Middle Ages
Medieval students faced expensive books, housing and daily costs too. Their surviving letters reveal a familiar solution: writing home to ask for money.
The Medieval Queen Who Survived Childhood Polio
Meet Arégonde, a sixth-century medieval queen whose bones, teeth and even her shoes reveal the lasting effects of childhood polio.
New Medieval Books: Cultures of the Medieval Kingdom of Jerusalem
In the aftermath of the First Crusade, a new state emerged in the eastern Mediterranean that was very different from the lands its conquerors had come from. This book examines the social and cultural landscape of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, revealing a remarkably diverse society shaped by peoples of different ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds.
So, Your Child Has Decided to Become a Medievalist
What happens when a seemingly ordinary child decides to devote their life to the Middle Ages? Ken Mondschein offers parents a survival guide for life with a budding medievalist.