Did People Ice Skate in the Middle Ages?
How did medieval people pass the time during the coldest part of the year? I came across several instances of medieval people strapping on skates and taking a twirl (or a tumble!) on the ice. Here is how it all began!
The History of Print Technology
From the earliest printed book in the 7th century to the beginning of digital printing less than a generation ago!
Five Favourite Reads for Medievalists
I thought I’d share just a handful of my favourites that range from medieval-for-beginners to heavier academic stuff.
The Story of Exodus: The Anglo-Saxon Version
The clever authors of these Anglo-Saxon biblical poems knew their audiences, engaging readers and listeners by retelling Old Testament stories in an epic way that was both familiar and beloved.
Surviving Winter in the Middle Ages
Surviving Winter in the Middle Ages: How did people stay warm? What did they eat? What did they do?
Elizabeth of York, Queen of England
Elizabeth of York symbolized the epitome of the perfect medieval queen. She was beautiful, charitable, and beloved by the people.
How Well Do You Know the 11th century?
Here are 11 questions about the 11th century. Good luck!
What Era Are You From?
Were you meant for another time?
Advent in the Middle Ages
Advent in the Middle Ages
5 Medieval Hanukkah Foods
What was on the table of medieval Jews? Here is a list of five foods that would have been enjoyed during Hanukkah in the Middle Ages.
How to run your business according to Christine de Pizan
May God keep them rich, honourable and worthy of trust!
How to Write a Letter for a Suspicious Knight
For some were shoemakers in their own shires, some swineherds, and the man has yet to be found who would couple a girl of such noble birth to a man of ignoble origins.
5 Things to Pack in Your Medieval First Aid Kit
Here are five things that would have been a handy part of a medieval ‘first aid kit’ and that (incidentally) science is slowly proving can still be counted on to work in a pinch.
Tall Tales: The Trouble with Tours
Tours. They can be great, or they can be cringeworthy and rife with misinformation. A great tour guide knows how to add a flourish or two to a story to keep the audience engaged and the history interesting. A bad tour guide invents things and hopes there isn’t a historian in the audience dismayed by the falsehoods they’re spreading to unwitting listeners…
Medieval Castle for Sale in France: Chateau d’Avezan
This 13th century castle in southern France is on sale for 950 000 €
How Well Do You Know the Opening Lines of Medieval Literature?
Test yourself by trying to pick which famous work of medieval literature these opening lines are from.
REVIEW: The Ballad of Robin Hood
Over the holiday season, Southwark Playhouse is presenting their reinterpretation of The Ballad of Robin Hood.
7 Things One Should Know When Dealing with Kings: The Icelander’s Version
Here is MaryAnn R. Adams’ winning advice on how to deal with Norse kings.
Ten Castles that Made Medieval Britain, by James Turner
An ebook from Medievalists.net
The Duel between Guy of Steenvoorde and Iron Herman
…both fought bitterly. But Guy knocked his adversary from his horse and kept him down easily with his lance as he was struggling to get up. Then his opponent, running nearer, ran Guy’s horse through with his sword, disemboweling it.
In Search of Guinevere
As a lifelong lover of Arthurian stories, I have always had a love/hate relationship with Guinevere. In some stories, she is the well-mannered and generous ideal queen; in others she is a jealous and spiteful adulteress. How can she be both? When did she change?
10 Gift Ideas for the Medieval History Lover
If you have a medievalist in the family and are wondering what to get them for the upcoming holiday season, then you have come to the right website! Here are our picks for great gifts that have a little medieval in them.
BLACK FRIDAY TOTE BAGS!
It’s Black Friday! Here’s a little inspiration for that scholar, blogger, or aspiring writer on your holiday list.
Fredegund’s Deadly Dinner
One of the great villains in Gregory of Tours’ The History of the Franks is Fredegund. The sixth-century Merovingian queen was responsible, according to Gregory, for a lengthy list of murders and attempt assassinations, including against her own family members. She even murdered those men who failed to carry out her assassinations.
