Afghanistan: A Forgotten Medieval Kingdom
Uncover the history of Afghanistan’s forgotten medieval kingdom, written about in a 14th-century chronicle but lost to time. Learn how this kingdom, ruled by a Kurdish dynasty, resisted Mongol dominance before fading from the historical record.
New Medieval Books: The Rules of Logic
The most widely read introduction to logic in the Arabic-speaking world, this work dates to the 13th century. If you enjoy reading about propositions and syllogism, then this book is for you.
New Medieval Books: Raiders, Rulers, and Traders
A sweeping history from prehistoric times to the 20th century, this book examines how the horse helped shaped civilization along the Eurasian Steppe. Several chapters focus on medieval empires, including the Turks, Mongols and Timurids.
New Medieval Books: Ben Cao Gang Mu
This extensive collection, translated into English across nine large volumes, serves as a comprehensive encyclopedia of medical and pharmaceutical knowledge. Within its thousands of entries, readers can discover how plants and animals were utilized for medicinal purposes in pre-modern China.
Whispers from Beyond: Medieval Ghosts and Their Messages About the Afterlife
In the Middle Ages, ghostly encounters were more than just frightening tales—they were seen as windows into the afterlife, offering messages from purgatory or warnings from demonic spirits. Discover how medieval people communicated with the dead and what these spirits revealed about their journey beyond the grave.
The Green Ages with Annette Kehnel – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 262
New and high-tech solutions for a sustainable future are being proposed on the daily, but what if some of the best ideas actually reside in the past? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Annette Kehnel about the way medieval communities shared, recycled, and even upcycled.
John of Brienne: King of Jerusalem and Emperor of Constantinople
We have released our first digital book – John of Brienne: King of Jerusalem and Emperor of Constantinople, by James Turner. You can buy it now on our Patreon Shop.
New Medieval Books: The Eagle and The Hart
A rivalry between two cousins shaped the course of English history—King Richard II and his eventual usurper, King Henry IV. This double-biography delves into their tumultuous relationship, exploring the dramatic events that led to the overthrow of a medieval monarch and the rise of a new king.
A Chaotic Medieval Sport: La Soule à la Crosse
In medieval Europe, sports weren’t just for the elite—chaotic games like la soule à la crosse saw townsfolk and peasants clashing with sticks in hand. Discover how this unruly precursor to modern hockey captivated communities and sparked royal bans due to its violent nature.
New Medieval Books: Frankish Jerusalem
After the First Crusade, Jerusalem became a melting pot of new settlers, leading to the rise of a transformed community. This book delves into 12th-century property records to uncover how these immigrants reshaped and redefined the city’s landscape.
A Byzantine Account of Harald Hardrada’s Varangian Years
Most of what we know about Harald Hardrada, the Viking leader and King of Norway, comes from Norse sagas. Yet, a Byzantine account offers rare insights into his time serving as a Varangian guard in the Byzantine Empire.
Hastings: An Unusual Battle
Hastings was unusual. It was unlike the vast majority of medieval battles (and, in fact, most ancient and early modern battles) in three major ways.
The Most Despised Jobs of the Middle Ages
Discover the most despised jobs in the Middle Ages, from butchers to merchants. Explore why certain professions were viewed with contempt and how these views changed over time.
New Medieval Books: Olav Audunssøn
Sigrid Undset’s novel, also known in English as The Master of Hestviken, was written between 1925 and 1927 and played a significant role in earning her the Nobel Prize for Literature. The work is divided into four volumes: Vows, Providence, Crossroads, and Winter.
What Did Education Look Like in Medieval Iceland?
How did education flourish in medieval Iceland, a land without cities or universities? Discover how Icelanders nurtured their intellectual heritage through informal fosterage and cathedral schools, shaping some of the most renowned sagas and poems of the medieval world.
New Medieval Books: Empire in the Western Ocean
This book chronicles the rise of the Ming Dynasty and their creation of a formidable naval power that extended far beyond China’s shores, reaching deep into the Indian Ocean.
How Gender Shaped Crime and Punishment in the Medieval World
By Steve Tibble In the medieval world, crime was not just about survival or greed—it was deeply influenced by gender roles and social…
New Medieval Books: Muslims on the Volga in the Viking Age
This collection of 19 essays delves into the 10th-century journey of Ibn Fadlan to the Rus’ and Volga Bulgarians. The essays offer an in-depth analysis of his text, shedding light on how medieval Arab perspectives shaped their understanding of the Vikings and other northern peoples.
Henry V with Dan Jones – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 261
Last week, we looked at the story of Richard II and Henry IV, and the way these two cousins wielded the power of the English crown. This week on The Medieval Podcast, we round out the cycle that makes up the Hollow Crown by looking at Henry V, a man who many – including this week’s guest, Dan Jones – have called England’s greatest warrior king.
New Medieval Books: Monastic Women and Secular Economy in Later Medieval Europe, ca. 1200 to 1500
This book uncovers the economic influence of female monasteries in medieval society, revealing how they played a central role in shaping the economy.
The Medieval Gunpowder Revolution: 10 Moments that Changed Warfare
The invention of gunpowder and its use in weaponry revolutionised medieval warfare, marking one of the most dramatic shifts in military history. What…
New Medieval Books: Translating Faith
At the close of the Middle Ages, a community of Ethiopian pilgrims settled in Rome. This book explores the records maintained by these Ethiopian Christians, shedding light on their way of life and their interactions with the Roman Catholic Church in the sixteenth century.
Dive into Viking Life: A Self-Paced Mini-Course
Embark on a journey through the fascinating world of the Vikings with the Life in the Viking Age online course. Offered by Medievalists.net, this self-paced mini course introduces you to how Norse society was structured and how people lived. Also included is discussion of the social classes, gender, and the importance of family.
Which Translation of Romance of the Three Kingdoms Should I Read?
Romance of the Three Kingdoms, one of China’s greatest literary masterpieces, has fascinated readers for centuries with its epic tales of warfare, intrigue, and heroism. If you’re eager to dive into this 14th-century classic but don’t read Chinese, you might be wondering: Which English translation should you choose?
Laughing Kamala: A Medievalist’s Perspective
Kamala Harris’ laughter has stirred criticism that taps into centuries-old misogyny. This article links her detractors to medieval fears of humor’s power to challenge authority.