New Medieval Books: The Donkey King
Why does the humble donkey appear alongside prophets and demons? This book delves into the many roles donkeys play in Arabic literature—from comic relief to a symbol of the supernatural.
The Medieval Judicial Revolution: Royal Power and the Rise of State Justice
This article explores the so-called “judicial revolution” of the Middle Ages, showing how European monarchs reasserted control over legal systems and laid the groundwork for the modern state through centralized justice and royal authority.
New Medieval Books: The Galdrabók
The Galdrabók: Forbidden Icelandic Folk Magic Translated by Kári Pálsson Hyldyr ISBN: 978-1-966041-03-0 Editions and translations of two pre-modern Icelandic manuscripts related to…
How Powerful Was a Medieval Lance Strike? Physics Students Do the Math
How much force did a medieval knight deliver with a lance? A recent study by physics students calculates the energy of a jousting strike—comparing it to a car crash and a swinging sledgehammer.
New Medieval Books: Writings (1416-1432)
The writings of Pawel Wlodkowic, a 15th-century Polish canon lawyer, are translated in this book. It offers a fascinating view from Poland of their rivalry with the Teutonic Order, their relations with pagan peoples, and Wlodkowic’s opinions on human rights.
The Council of Whitby: A Study in Early Anglo-Saxon Politics
This article re-examines the Council of Whitby (664) in light of political tensions in early Anglo-Saxon England, arguing that the synod was driven as much by dynastic conflict and papal diplomacy as by liturgical dispute. Drawing on sources like Bede and the Life of Wilfrid, it offers a revised timeline and highlights the council’s significance in Oswiu’s struggle for ecclesiastical and political supremacy.
What Medieval Women Read
Explore the private libraries of Marie de Berry and Jeanne d’Artois to discover what medieval women read. Their collections reveal the intellectual, devotional, and medical interests of noblewomen in the Late Middle Ages.
Ten Articles about Monty Python and the Holy Grail
This month marks the 50th anniversary of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the 1975 comedy that has become a cult favourite and…
Why the Inquisition Didn’t Prosecute Werewolves
Why didn’t the Inquisition prosecute werewolves? This article explores how lycanthropy straddled folklore, law, and theology in early modern Europe.
New Medieval Books: Cinema Medievalia
This collection of twenty essays examine how the Middle Ages is portrayed in movies. From The Seventh Seal to the The Last Duel, these films reveal much about how today’s society tries to reimagine the medieval past.
The Starving Scholar: A Medieval Satire
A 12th-century Byzantine poem by Theodore Prodromos mocks the false promises of education through the voice of a hungry scholar who finds his purse full of parchment instead of coin.
Medieval Hospitals with Sarah Loose Guerrero
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Sarah Loose Guerrero about what to expect at a medieval hospital, how institutions like the Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala supported citizens from infancy to adulthood, and what hospital support looked like for both urban and rural communities.
New Medieval Books: Anthony Woodville
This English nobleman would have an eventful career, rising to prominence under the reign of King Edward IV. This book details Woodville’s role in politics, the Wars of the Roses, and his literary interests.
The Medieval Military Revolution: How War Shaped the Rise of the State
Discover how medieval warfare evolved from feudal levies to royal armies—and how these changes laid the groundwork for the modern state in the 13th and 14th centuries.
New Medieval Books: Byzantine Dress
This book presents eleven essays exploring clothing and fashion in the Byzantine Empire. Together, they reveal the diverse ways medieval people dressed—and how their garments often carried deep cultural, social, and symbolic significance.
New Medieval Books: The Hrafnista Sagas
Translations of four legendary sagas centred on Ketil Trout of Hrafnista and his family. These tales follow heroic figures who face dragons, trolls, and other fantastical foes—stories that continued to resonate with their Icelandic descendants generations later.
Unruly Bodies and Subversive Laughs: Why I Started The Court Jester
I started The Court Jester to share the stories I kept stumbling upon in manuscripts: tales so absurd and outrageous that they made me laugh out loud in libraries.
Magic in Medieval Manuscripts: A Beginner’s Guide
Far from being hidden and marginalised, magical texts abound in medieval manuscripts, many embellished with beautiful illustrations and sparkling with gold.
The Mental Toll of Polygamy in Medieval Egypt
Discover how women in 15th-century Cairo resisted polygamy—and the emotional toll it took—through rare accounts from a medieval biographical dictionary.
New Medieval Books: Situating Medieval India
Something of an overview of the history of India between the 11th and 18th centuries, this book examines a number of topics related to society and culture. The focus is often how the rulers of the region were often Muslims while the majority of its people were Hindu.
Genetic Study Confirms the Origins of Saint Ladislaus and Hungarian Dynasty
A new genetic analysis of relics belonging to Saint Ladislaus I of Hungary has confirmed his royal lineage and reshaped our understanding of the early Hungarian monarchy.
What Did Brides Wear in the Middle Ages? A Guide to Medieval Wedding Dresses
Discover what brides really wore in the Middle Ages—from colourful gowns and luxurious fabrics to silver belts and floral accessories—in this guide to medieval wedding dresses.
Byzantine taste, meals, and food culture, with Adam Morin
A conversation with Adam Morin about categories of taste, the meal structure, and the food and ingredients that east Romans ate. What foods were prized and what looked down upon? How do we know what they ate? What do we know about individual preferences?
The Viking Economy Explained: Barter, Hacksilver, and Coinage
Discover how the Viking economy evolved from barter and prestige goods to hacksilver and coinage, using hoards to trace changing trade practices in medieval Scandinavia.
