New Medieval Books: The Borgarthing Law and the Eidsivathing Law
Translations of two law codes that were made in eastern Norway during the fourteenth century. These law codes focus on rules related to the Christian Church, ranging from baptisms to the paying of tithes.
What are volcanoes? A medieval answer
An explanation of volcanoes and why they erupt from a medieval scientist.
A Medieval Miracle: The Beer Did Not Spill
Was preventing beer spillage significant enough to be deemed a miracle? Surprisingly, for one seventh-century writer, it was!
The Battle of Halidon Hill (1333)
Scotland and England are at war again, with the important border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed under siege. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss how the English were able to inflict a quick and devastating defeat on the Scots.
New Medieval Books: The Standard Language Ideology of the Hebrew and Arabic Grammarians of the ‘Abbasid Period
This open-access book examines the connections between Hebrew and Arabic in the Middle Ages when it comes to language. it offers a look at how people learned from each other even though they came from different backgrounds and religions.
Tips for Travelling to Medieval Jerusalem
During medieval times, Christian pilgrims embarked on journeys across Europe and the Middle East to visit churches, holy sites, and shrines. The pinnacle of these pilgrimages was a visit to Jerusalem, necessitating thorough preparation. Hopefully, pilgrims could benefit from the travel advice provided by William Wey, a writer from the 15th century.
Mary of Egypt with Sonia Velazquez
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Sonia Velázquez about St. Mary of Egypt, why she caught the medieval imagination, and how her beauty, age, and holiness spoke to generations of artists and the faithful.
Life in a Medieval Town
What was life like in a medieval town? Read some stories of daily life from a fourteenth-century chronicler in Germany.
The Holy Foreskin: The Story of Christianity’s Strangest Relic
When I first heard about the Sanctum Praeputium I thought it was a joke thought up by some medievalist. However, in the Middle Ages there was much debate if a little piece of Jesus Christ remained on Earth.
The Viking Age online course starts tomorrow
An introduction to Viking History. Each week historian Terri Barnes takes you through a different aspect of the lives of Nordic peoples who lived during the Viking Age from roughly AD 750 to 1100.
New Medieval Books: The Deorhord
This book reveals what Old English sources had to say about animals, both real and imaginary. If there was a bestiary written in early medieval England it would look something like this.
The Greatest Practical Joke Ever Done
Did you ever believe that you were someone else? There is a story from medieval Florence about a practical joke that must be too crazy to be true.
Medievalists.net’s Featured Book: The Tale of Thorstein Staff Struck
The Medievalists.net Monthly Book Selection for April is The Tale of Thorstein Staff Struck, edited and translated by Jesse Byock and Randall Gordon.
The 50 Most Important Events of the Middle Ages
Our list of the most important events in the medieval world, between the years 500 and 1500 AD. This includes political and military events, as well as the dates of inventions, new writings and religious matters in Africa, Asia and Europe.
The Crusaders and Gaza
Almost eight hundred years ago, Gaza would be on the frontlines of another war, this one pitting the Crusaders against Fatimid Egypt.
Ten More Phrases that Originated in the Middle Ages
There are many phrases that we use in everyday life. Some of these were first spoken back in the Middle Ages.
Medieval Battle Injuries: What Archaeology Can Tell Us
Archaeology is transforming the way we understand medieval warfare. One way it is doing this is by revealing what kinds of injuries and wounds warriors received on the battlefield. Here are details from five sites showing how horrific warfare was in the Middle Ages.
How to Focus Like a Monk with Jamie Kreiner
We live in a world full of constant notifications, interruptions, and complications. If only we could get away from it all, the peace and quiet would allow us to concentrate. Or would it? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Jamie Kreiner about some new old strategies for concentration, courtesy of ancient and medieval monks.
New Medieval Books: Rewriting the First Crusade
This book focuses on letters that were written before, during, and just after the First Crusade. The analysis includes understanding which letters were genuine and which were fictitious.
The Legend of Zaida, Princess of Seville
Natalie Mallat tells the story of Zaida, an 11th-century princess.
New Medieval Books: The Book of Icelanders
The Book of Icelanders (Íslendingabók) by Ari Thorligsson is a twelfth-century history of Iceland, including its settlement, Christianization and its first bishops. This book includes the Old Norse text and two kinds of translation: a literal one and a regular English translation.
The Most Important Quality of a Viking Warrior
What qualities defined a great Viking warrior?
The Battle of Ramla (1102): High-Watermark of the Egyptian Army
The Fatimid Egyptian empire fielded one of the most overlooked forces in the crusading period.
Ten Overlooked Women Who Defined the Medieval Era
Ten remarkable medieval women whose captivating contributions merit greater acknowledgment.
When an Albanian ‘King’ Marched through Medieval London
The tale of a labour dispute aboard a Venetian vessel provides insights into the inhabitants of medieval London.