New Medieval Books: 21st Century Medievalisms
Fourteen essays that examine how the Middle Ages have been depicted in recent years. From pop culture to Peru, there are many ways the medieval past gets reinterpreted and explored in the present.
‘Such was the Marshal’s passing…’: The Death of Willam Marshal
A look at the final days of the great English knight, William Marshal.
New Medieval Books: 1217: The Battles That Saved England
Covering the momentous events that took place in England between 1216 and 1217, this book focuses on the Siege of Dover Castle, the Battle of Lincoln and the naval Battle of Sandwich.
Obsolete Occupations from the Middle Ages
In medieval times, many unique jobs, such as Ale-wife and Groom of the Stool, were essential but have since vanished. Discover these obsolete occupations and how historical changes led to their disappearance.
Rewriting the First Crusade with Thomas Smith
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Thomas Smith about letters from the First Crusade, which ones are either partially or completely invented, and what this discovery means to our understanding of the Crusades.
New Medieval Books: The Medieval Clergy, 800-1250
More than 70 sources are translated here to offer readers a look into the lives of priests, bishops and other clergy in the Middle Ages. It is a wide-ranging book, covering topics from how to do baptisms to bishops getting involved in wars.
The Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa (1212)
A turning point in the history of Iberia, the year 1212 would see the combined armies of Castile, Aragon and Navarre facing off against the Almohads. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about a key battle of the Reconquista.
12 Expressions that we got from the Middle Ages
Want to sound like someone from the Middle Ages? Check out our list of 12 expressions to add to your conversations.
The Organization of a Medieval Manor
Medieval manors could be large farms with hundreds of people working there. They had to be managed, and a thirteenth-century treatise known as the Seneschaucy offers a guide to the duties of some of the officials on the manor.
Drinking Horns in the Middle Ages
Ten things to know about medieval drinking horns.
The Mysterious ‘Lord S’ and a Murder in the Latin Empire of Constantinople
Who killed William, Archbishop of Philippi, in 1217?
New Medieval Books: Drugs in the Medieval Mediterranean
A collection of fourteen essays that deal with pharmaceutical medicines in Arabic, Byzantine, European and Jewish cultures. It reveals a lot of cross-cultural connections when it came sharing cures.
A Catch-Up (And a Big Reveal) with Dan Jones
Bestseller and broadcaster Dan Jones has been busy with a whole bunch of new projects since he was last on The Medieval Podcast. This week, Danièle catches up with Dan about his latest documentaries, novels, and hit podcast – and together they share some exciting news for medieval fans.
New Medieval Books: Fake History
Those who study history find that there are a lot of myths and misinformation being circulated, so books like this are very important in revealing what is fake. Of the 101 chapters inside, over 20 deal with medieval topics.
The Corrupt Archbishop: The Story of Alexander Bicknor
Corruption by powerful officials is a familiar tale throughout history, where men and women succumb to the temptation of greed. One notable instance occurred in the 14th century with an Archbishop of Dublin, who orchestrated an elaborate plot of embezzlement and forgery.
Your Medieval ABCs
We all remember reading ABC books when we were children. In medieval England, there was something similar, with a poem known as the ABC of Aristotle. Here are two of these texts in translation.
New Medieval Books: Cleaning Up Renaissance Italy
This book examines how Venice and Genoa dealt with environmental issues, including waste management, water supply and street congestion. It also reveals the mindset of the medieval Genoese and Venetians when it came to having a clean and healthy city.
The Mad Norse King
What happens when the mental health of a medieval King of Norway declines into madness? The story of Sigurðr the Crusader, who reigned for over 25 years, provides a fascinating account of mental illness from the 12th century.
From Beowulf to the First Crusade: 10 Medieval Studies’ Articles Published Last Month
What’s new in medieval studies? Here are ten articles published in April, which tell us about topics including dealing with guests in Sweden to trade in Ethiopia.
New Medieval Books: Islam in Europe
A catalogue that showcased the exhibition ‘Islam in Europe’ held at the Sam Fogg gallery in London in 2023. It details over 60 items that were part of the exhibition ranging from ceramics to carpets.
The Murder of the Bishop of Acre in 1172
The murder of the bishop of Acre, however, which took place on the night of 29 June 1172, was something altogether more disturbing.
New Medieval Books: Knowing What We Know
A general history that examines how humans retain information and the changing technologies to help with this. While the medieval period only occupies a small part of this book, it does offer insights into how the invention of printing was an important milestone in this history.
How to Murder a Byzantine Emperor
An empire like Byzantium does not last for a thousand years without its own share of political intrigue. Here are three accounts of murder told by medieval chroniclers in vivid detail, in which the plot did not go as smoothly as the conspirators hoped but ultimately resulted in a new emperor on the throne.
Five Jokes about the Medieval Church
Could medieval people joke about religion? Poggio Bracciolini proves it to be true, and offers us five funny stories. In 1470 the Italian…