The Best of Medievalists.net for 2014
The most popular features of the year on Medievalists.net – and some of our personal favourites…
Top 10 Medieval News Stories of 2014
This year offered medievalists many interesting stories, with scholars starting to unlock the secrets of medieval artifacts.
From St. Nicholas to Santa Claus
How did a 4th century bishop become the jolly man who comes down the chimney with gifts for children on Christmas?
Bah! Humbug! Complaining about holiday gifts 1600 years ago
Christmas has long been associated with gift giving, but one suspects that Asterius of Amasea would not like seeing all those presents under the Christmas tree!
This Week in Medieval Manuscript Images
What a porcupine might look like after running through a grapevine – this and more than forty more medieval manuscript images.
The Lost Foot – A medieval tale from the Gesta Romanorum
A certain tyrannical and cruel knight retained in his service a very faithful servant. One day, when he had been to the market…
The Louvre: Highlights for Medievalists
Despite offering exemplary samples of almost every type of art, the Louvre showcases some great examples of medieval art. The Richelieu Wing is where it’s at!
Animals in the Middle Ages: The Monkey
‘Monkeys are animals that like to imitate everything they see men doing. They feel happy when there is new moon, and with the full and waning moon, they get sad and filled with melancholy.’
Can you answer the Riddles of The Hobbit?
One of the most famous scenes in the story of The Hobbit is when Bilbo meets up with Gollum in the caves under the Misty Mountains. The two engage in a game of riddles, and Bilbo is able to escape with his life and a magical ring. Here are eight of the riddles they told each other – can you solve them?
The Hobbit: Which Member of Thorin’s Company Are You?
Are you ready to journey into Middle-earth one last time? Come celebrate the final film in Peter Jackson’s epic film series, The Hobbit, with us and find out which member of Thorin’s Company you’re most like!
Which Medieval English Cathedral are you?
Everyone loves visiting England’s wonderful medieval cathedrals. However, it’s not quite as easy as taking a multiple-choice internet quiz! At last, now you can find out which one of the diocesan mother churches of the Middle Ages can be assigned to your exact personality type!
Medieval Books for Christmas
It’s that time of year again – the mad scramble for the perfect Christmas gift for the historian, nerd, avid reader on your list. Here are a few suggestions for you – new releases for December and January!
The Earliest Christmas Tree
One of the most iconic traditions of Christmas is having a tree in your house, decorating it and placing the presents underneath. How early did this tradition begin?
How to protect yourself against the Plague: Remedies from Renaissance Italy
‘Rue tops, one clove of garlic, a walnut, a grain of salt, and eat on an empty stomach everyday for up to a month, and you must be cheerful, and this recipe, it’s good against vermin and it’s perfect.
This Week in Medieval Manuscript Images
We go from Labyrinths to Snowballs – over forty images found on Twitter this week!
Where Should You Time Travel To?
Fire up the DeLorean because we’re going way back in time. Fasten your seat belts and get ready for the ride!
The Pied Piper of Hamelin: A Medieval Mass Abduction?
What really happened on June 26, 1284, in the German town of Hamelin?
How well do you know Britain’s castles?
Test your knowledge with our quiz on Britain’s finest castles. The pass mark is 6/10.
16th-century Haunted Castle for Sale in Scotland
With an asking price of £500,000, this Scottish castle is an attractive offer, although you might be sharing the building with a specter.
How Well Do You Know Genghis Khan?
What do you really know about Genghis Khan? Take our quiz and find out:
The Usurpation of Henry IV: His Quest for Legitimacy on the English Throne
On 30 September 1399, Richard II’s cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, would usurp the throne, taking the name Henry IV, and months after the coronation, Richard would die a prisoner in Pontefract Castle amidst speculation that he was murdered.
This Week in Medieval Manuscript Images
Whether it’s dangling over a cliff or cutting hair, if you can think of it a medieval artist drew it in a manuscript! Here are some of the best images we found this week
A Medieval Drinking Song
A song about drinking and gambling from the 13th century.
What Is Your Middle Earth IQ?
Are you an expert on the vast and timeless worlds crafted by Tolkien?
Five new books on the Middle Ages worth a look!
War, famine, murder, sex and politics – what you can read about from the Middle Ages!