Notker the Stammerer: The Monk Who Shaped Charlemagne’s Musical Legacy
Discover how Notker the Stammerer, a monk of St. Gall, helped shape Charlemagne’s musical legacy through his writings, chant compositions, and lasting influence on medieval liturgy.
How the Crusade Became a Medieval Institution
This article explores how the crusade emerged as a distinct medieval institution, shaped by ideas of holy war, just war, and penance.
New Medieval Books: History of the Venetian Dukes (1102-1229)
This newly translated chronicle provides a rare Venetian perspective on twelfth-century events, including the latter parts of the Fourth Crusade. The volume also features translations of two additional texts: a brief set of annals and a firsthand account of the 1071 election of Domenico Selvo as Doge.
New Medieval Books: Lionessheart
The daughter of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joanna of England lived a life deeply entangled in the turbulent politics of the Angevin Empire.
Vikings Behaving Reasonably with Robert Lively
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Robert Lively about how a person became a Viking lawyer, what the process was for solving disputes, and how fixing bad behaviour worked in this shame-based culture.
Demonic Seduction: A Dark Medievalism
Explore how medieval beliefs about demons, witchcraft, and sex shaped centuries of theology, persecution, and fantasy—revealing the dark origins of one of history’s most persistent tropes.
12 Medieval Life Tips from a 12th-Century Genius
Discover 12 medieval life tips from Alain de Lille—a 12th-century genius whose advice on courage, greed, and fate still feels surprisingly modern.
The Seagull, the Dog and the Cockle: A Hidden Scene in the Bayeux Tapestry
One interpretation of a curious scene in the Bayeux Tapestry suggests a seagull using a dog to open a cockle—offering a rare glimpse of everyday life on the Norman beaches before the 1066 invasion.
The Daily Life of a Medieval King
Have you wondered what a medieval king did on a typical day? Thanks to Christine de Pizan, we have an account of what daily life was like for King Charles V of France.
Elephants and Ivory with John Beusterien
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with John Beusterien about elephants and ivory in medieval China and Spain, including how elephants were put into service, and how ivory was used and traded across the world.
What is Hwæt? The Debate Behind Beowulf’s Opening Line
Discover the meaning of hwæt, the iconic first word of Beowulf, and explore the medieval and modern debates over how it should be translated.
From Butter Penis to Fairhair: 517 Real Viking Nicknames
Discover 517 real Viking nicknames from the sagas, including bold, funny, and bizarre names like “Butter Penis” and “Fairhair.” Explore what these names reveal about Norse culture and identity.
Marked by Faith: Tattoos and the Christian Body in the Middle Ages
Tattoos in the Middle Ages? While often associated with criminals or pagans, these marks on the skin could also signal Christian devotion, sacred journeys, and personal identity in unexpected ways.
Famous Last Words from the Middle Ages
Discover the final words of medieval kings, popes, saints, and warriors—revealing how people in the Middle Ages faced death with faith, fear, or defiance.
The Roman Girl Rediscovered During the Renaissance
One of the key features of the Renaissance in Italy was a renewed interest in Ancient Rome. So when the perfectly preserved body…
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Why Everyone in the Middle Ages Seemed to Have the Same Name
Many people in the Middle Ages shared the same few names—think Margaret, Thomas, or Henry. But why were these names so popular? From…
Royal Grief in Medieval Iberia with Nuria Silleras-Fernandez
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Núria Silleras-Fernández about what grief and widowhood were “supposed” to look like, how grief and madness were thought to be intertwined with love, and how the grieving women in the famous Isabella the Catholic’s family shaped the history of Spain and Portugal.
10 Medieval Studies’ Articles Published Last Month
What’s new in medieval studies? Here are ten open-access articles published in June, which range Byzantine cuisine to Viking-Age dogs.
Top 10 Medieval Castles in Ireland
Discover the top 10 medieval castles in Ireland you can visit today, including Norman fortresses, Gaelic tower houses, and dramatic ruins like the Rock of Dunamase.
New Medieval Books: The Making of Medieval Central Europe
As the Poles, Czechs, and Hungarians established their medieval states, they became deeply entangled with the Holy Roman Empire and other Western European powers. This book explores the complex politics and state-building processes of Central Europe, a region marked by both cooperation and conflict.
New Medieval Books: Annals of Margam
This book presents a translation of the annals compiled at Margam Abbey in southern Wales, covering the years 1066 to 1231. While primarily focused on English and Welsh events, it also includes some material on broader international affairs.
Earrings and Infamy: The Male Ear in the Medieval Imagination
Explore how male earrings were viewed in the Middle Ages—from symbols of infamy and foreignness to fashionable adornments—through art, religion, and cultural transformation.
Medieval Rules for Jousting
Explore the medieval rules of jousting established by King Alfonso XI of Castile in 1330, offering a rare glimpse into how knights were judged in tournament combat.
