The Most Dramatic Moment of the Middle Ages!
An evil king versus a good king. They are half-brothers. It’s a fight to the death. In a tent!
Web Series for Medievalists
Here are six web series that are kind of medieval.
How Do We Know about the Middle Ages?
No matter which dates you use to define it, the medieval period was a very long time ago. Most of the people who existed during that time lived and died anonymously – at least as far as history is concerned. So how is it that we know anything about this period at all?
The boy and the catapult – a story from the life of William Marshal
Word came of this to his father,
but he said that he did not care
about the child, since he still had
the anvils and hammers
to produce even finer ones.
2014 and Medieval Anniversaries
Historians like to look back at what happened exactly 100, 500 or even 1000 years ago – it makes a good reason to re-evaluate and study these events.
The Case of Conjoined Twins in 10th-Century Byzantium
How were these conjoined twins treated, and how did the Byzantine physicians try to separate them?
Lancelot Can Keep His T-Shirt
If t-shirts had been all the rage in the Middle Ages, you can bet there would have been ‘Team Lancelot’ ones selling like hotcakes. You can also bet that I wouldn’t have owned one.
The First Jubilee
How did this tradition of Papal Jubilees start in the Middle Ages?
A Medieval Peace Movement: The Bianchi of 1399
‘It was truly an extraordinary thing, an amazing business!’ – the Bianchi in 1399 – a medieval peace movement in Italy
Top 10 Medieval News Stories of 2013
The year 2013 has shown how science and technology can be a huge asset for medieval studies.
How to Steal the King’s Crown: Helene Kottanner’s tale of a theft from the year 1440
In the year 1440, a servant woman named Helene Kottanner is given the task of stealing the crown of the King of Hungary. Helene tells us how she did it.
Fantasy Books for Christmas!
For those of you who want something a little more magical under the tree this Christmas – here are a few new 2013 fantasy releases!
Review: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
While the first film was mostly criticized for its divergences from the novel, in this second instalment they usually prove to be an improvement.
Medieval Myth-Busting at the Movies
The five of the most common myths about the Middle Ages from the movies, busted.
The Holy Foreskin
When I first heard about the Sanctum Praeputium I actually thought it was a joke thought up by some medievalist. Apparently some medieval people thought so too!
Exploring abandoned castles in France
A look at one website that documents abandoned medieval castles and other sites in France.
Christmas Books: Great Medieval Fiction Reads for the Christmas Holidays!
Some medieval stocking stuffers for the historians on your Christmas list!
Birth Control and Abortion in the Middle Ages
The medieval period might be unique in that it is perhaps the only time when you can read the same author in one work condemning the use of birth control and in another giving directions on how to use it.
A Word About Our Words
This may be a little hard to believe, considering the conspicuous lack of “thee” and “thou” in modern writing, but the forms of English that came before are even more foreign.
Renaissance Table Manners
How should one behave at parties or dinners, in the company of friends and relatives? Every society has its list of do’s and don’ts, including in Renaissance Italy.
Why did Vinland fail?
Brigitta Wallace, one of the leading scholars on the Vikings in North America, examines why their settlements failed.
Castle for Sale in England: Westenhanger Castle
One of Kent’s greatest historic houses, this Listed Grade I Heritage site comes with Towers, Castle wall remains and a landscaped inner court that is used as a wedding venue.
Snow Castles and Horse Racing on Ice: Winter Fun in the Medieval North
Although the winters could be long and harsh in medieval Sweden, the people still found time to have fun and games.
Doctor Who in the Middle Ages
As the television show Doctor Who celebrates its 50th anniversary, we take a look at the adventures of the Doctor during medieval times.
