The Past and Future of the Medieval Classroom: Teaching the Conflicts in Troubled Times
This paper by Richard Utz was delivered at this year’s International Congress on Medieval Studies at Western Michigan University.
New Medieval Books: Exhortation to the Monks by Hyperechios
In the Early Middle Ages, a monk named Hyperechios composed a collection of 160 sayings intended to guide Christians, especially those pursuing an ascetic life. This book presents a new edition and translation of these writings.
Icons, Riots, and Theology: Why Iconoclasm Nearly Tore the Byzantine Empire Apart
Byzantine iconoclasm sparked riots, persecutions, and political turmoil as emperors, monks, and ordinary believers fought over the role of sacred images in the medieval Roman Empire.
The Battle of Grandson (1476)
Charles the Bold was building his Duchy of Burgundy into a European power when he faced the Old Swiss Confederacy. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about the Battle of Grandson, a key event of the Burgundian Wars.
Le Roman de Fauvel: Corruption and Power in Medieval France
A corrupt horse rises from a stable to the royal palace, winning the admiration of kings, clergy, and courtiers alike. Sonja Maurer-Dass tells us about Le Roman de Fauvel, one of the sharpest political satires of the Middle Ages, exposing the greed, ambition, and moral decay they saw in fourteenth-century France.
Did Medieval People Drink Water?
Did medieval people drink water? Explore the myth that people in the Middle Ages avoided water, and discover what medieval texts, city records, and religious writings reveal about drinking habits.
Who Controlled Fortress-Building in Early Medieval Europe?
Did medieval kings really lose control over fortress-building after the collapse of the Roman Empire? David Bachrach explores how rulers in the Carolingian…
10 Open-Access Medieval Studies Articles from April 2026
Discover ten open-access medieval studies articles published in April 2026, featuring new research on archaeology, genetics, trade, kingship, literature, and the strange world of smells.
Who Were the Medieval Peasants?
Medieval peasants made up the vast majority of Europe’s population during the Middle Ages, yet their lives were far more varied than many people imagine. Lucie Laumonier shows how from farming and village life to serfdom and social tensions, medieval peasants played a central role in shaping medieval society.
Save 15% on Medieval Online Courses with Our Spring Sale
Spring has arrived, and so has our biggest Medieval Studies Online Courses sale of the season! For a limited time, get 15% off any course — live or self-paced!
The Menologion of Basil II, with Charlie Kuper
A conversation with Charlie Kuper about the Menologion of Basil II, a lavishly illustrated manuscript pairing brief notices about the saints with images of them and their ordeals, arranged according to the liturgical calendar.
What Made a Good Ambassador in the Medieval Islamic World?
Discover how ambassadors were chosen, tested, and trained in the medieval Islamic world through the writings of Ibn al-Farrāʾ, whose rare treatise reveals the art of diplomacy shaped by Iranian and Byzantine traditions.
A Man for all Centuries: The Changing Myth of King Arthur
How the legend of King Arthur has changed from the Middle Ages to today, adapting to new audiences while remaining one of the most enduring figures in Western storytelling.
How Thomas Becket Was Really Murdered in Canterbury Cathedral
Thomas Becket’s murder inside Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 shocked medieval England and quickly turned him into a saint. But what actually happened in those final moments—and why did his death come to be seen as something more than a brutal killing?
The Daily Life of a Medieval King
Discover the daily life of a medieval king through Christine de Pizan’s account of Charles V of France, revealing his routine, duties, and court life.
When Cities Hired Nobles: Military Alliances in Medieval Germany
David Bachrach examines how medieval German cities formed military alliances with nobles, revealing how urban communities managed war, trade, and political power in the thirteenth century.
Byzantine vs. Viking: The Varangian Guard in Constantinople
How did Viking raiders become imperial bodyguards? Zoe Tsiami tells the story of the Varangian Guard in medieval Constantinople.
New Medieval Books: The People’s Princes
While Niccolò Machiavelli is often associated with ruthless or disreputable tactics, a closer reading of his works reveals a far more nuanced thinker with substantial insights into politics and government. This book explores his ideas on the relationship between rulers and the people they govern.
The Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library, with Nicole Eddy
A conversation with Nicole Eddy about the Dumbarton Oaks Medieval Library, one of the most important publishing ventures of recent times when it comes to medieval texts and literature.
18 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Saladin
Discover 18 surprising facts about Saladin, the medieval leader who recaptured Jerusalem—revealing his education, beliefs, and lesser-known personal life.
How Medieval Kings Took Control of Forests in Normandy
Danny Lake-Giguère explores how the management of Normandy’s forests changed after 1204, becoming an important part of the growth of royal government in medieval France.
The Monsters, Dangers, and Wonders of the Medieval North
Explore how Adam of Bremen described the medieval North, from Vikings and pagan temples to dragons, Amazons, and lands at the edge of the known world.
Henry V: More Than a Warrior-King
A teenage prince wounded in battle, a king who defied the odds in France, and a ruler whose legacy still shapes how we see the Hundred Years’ War—Henry V was far more complex than the legend suggests. Michael Livingston explores the experiences that forged his character, revealing a leader who combined battlefield brilliance with calculated political ambition.
New Medieval Books: Chinese Characters across Asia
Chinese Characters across Asia: How the Chinese Script Came to Write Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese By Zev Handel University of Washington Press ISBN:…