Why Medieval Wars Were Fought: Power, Borders, and Sovereignty
Medieval wars weren’t always about religion or feudal duty—they were often about who had the right to rule and where. Beneath the surface of conflicts like England’s wars with Scotland and France were deeper struggles over sovereignty, territory, and the very shape of emerging states.
The Medieval Writings of Jean Bodel with Lynn Ramey
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Lynn Ramey about the incredible Jean Bodel, his massive influence on other medieval writers, and some of his unforgettable works.
10 Medieval Studies’ Articles Published Last Month
What’s new in medieval studies? Here are ten open-access articles published in March, which range from dealing with rioters in late medieval England to a bog dress.
New Medieval Books: Ibn Khaldūn: Political Thought
Thirty-five selections from the writings of the 14th-century thinker Ibn Khaldūn, these translated texts reveal his thoughts on history, the state, cities and more.
Spring in the Middle Ages
How did medieval people perceive the arrival of Spring? How was Spring depicted in medieval calendars and literary texts? And, was Spring the “mating season” for humans, as it is for many animal species?
Academic Freedom, Medieval Style (and What It Tells Us Today)
Medieval universities were hotbeds of privilege, power, and the occasional riot—where students could get away with murder and still be protected by the Church. Today’s academic freedom debates may seem new, but they echo centuries-old struggles over who controls knowledge.
How strong were Gunpowder Weapons in the Middle Ages?
It is the 12th Q&A episode of Bow & Blade. Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries answer your questions on gunpowder weapons, Gilles de Rais and medieval sites to visit.
New Online Course: The Art of the Middle Ages in Europe
Embark on a captivating journey through medieval art, exploring the diverse forms and cultural expressions that shaped the Middle Ages.
Poison in the Middle Ages: Medicine, Murder, and Myth
Discover how poison influenced medieval medicine, power struggles, and storytelling. From royal intrigue to early toxicology, learn how this dangerous substance shaped the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: Byzantine Sources for the Crusades, 1095-1204
These translated sources present Byzantine perspectives on the First through Fourth Crusades, offering a view of the Crusades as seen from Constantinople.
10 Musical Instruments Played in Medieval Europe
Explore 10 fascinating musical instruments that brought sound to medieval Europe—some familiar, others long forgotten.
How ‘Abracadabra’ Became a Magical Word in the Medieval World
Discover how the word “Abracadabra” evolved from ancient roots into a powerful magical term in the medieval world—used in healing, heresy, and hidden charms.
How Medieval Sword Fighting Really Worked: Lessons from Fiore dei Liberi
Discover how medieval knights really fought with swords through the eyes of Fiore dei Liberi, one of the earliest masters of European martial arts. His richly illustrated 14th-century manual reveals authentic techniques for combat on foot and horseback, armed and unarmed.
The Chaucerian: How a German school teacher became the world’s most prolific Chaucer scholar, and then was promptly forgotten
In the shadow of Bismarck’s empire, one dedicated teacher quietly built a staggering body of scholarship on Geoffrey Chaucer—without a university post, a research grant, or a single PhD student. His name once filled the footnotes of English literature. So why don’t we remember him?
New Medieval Books: Inside the Stargazer’s Palace
In the final decades of the Middle Ages and into the 16th century, Europe experienced a renewed emphasis on scientific inquiry. This book explores that transformation—especially in the field of astronomy—through the lives and work of figures such as John Dee and Tycho Brahe.
What Americans Really Think About the Middle Ages
A new survey by YouGov has shed light on how Americans perceive the Middle Ages—and for many, it’s not a golden age of knights and cathedrals.
Medieval Africa with Luke Pepera
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Luke Pepera about medieval Africa, what it would’ve been like to find yourself in one of the most powerful empires of the Middle Ages, and the famous pilgrimage of Mansa Musa.
Tiny Edens: What Grew in a Medieval Monastery’s Garden
Explore five key elements of medieval monastery gardens, from sacred plants to healing herbs, and learn how they shaped monastic life and worship.
Hellmouths, Rockets, and Feather Pillows: Special Effects in Medieval Theatre
From flaming hellmouths to heavenly ropes and staged miracles, discover the surprising special effects that brought medieval theatre to life.
10 Famous Forgeries from the Middle Ages
Medieval history is full of secrets—and some of its most influential documents were outright fakes. From forged royal charters to fabricated letters from mythical kings, here are 10 famous forgeries that reshaped the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: Complete Essentials for the Military Classics
This is a partial translation of Wujing Zongyao, an important 11th-century Chinese military treatise. The section translated in this volume contains examples from Chinese history that serve as examples of good strategies and tactics related to warfare.
Who was Allah before Islam?, with Ahmad Al-Jallad
A conversation with Ahmad Al-Jallad about the languages and inscriptions of pre-Islamic Arabia, our main contemporary source for life, death, and worship before the time of the Prophet Muhammad. We talk about field surveys in search of inscriptions and what they tell us about Allah and other Arabian deities in the early centuries of the first millennium.
Medieval Ladies-in-Waiting with Caroline Dunn
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Caroline Dunn about the lives of ladies in waiting.
New Medieval Books: Story, World and Character in the Late Íslendingasögur
The Icelandic sagas written after the year 1300 tend to get classified as being not as good as the more famous Family Sagas. However, this book explains why these ‘rogue sagas’ are also very interesting, especially their superhero characters and paranormal encounters.
