Like Father, Like Illegitimate Son: Henry II and William Longespée on Monastic Patronage
Henry II now enjoys a reputation as a committed and reasonably prolific founder and serial patroniser of monasteries. He was also engaged in another widespread, not to mention potentially politically advantageous aristocratic activity – the siring of illegitimate children.
Rose versus Violet
What’s better – a Rose or a Violet? That is the question written about by Jean Froissart in the 14th century. This debate between plants – each with their own lawyer – tells us a lot about medieval culture and how writers from this period created allegorical poems. And it’s the topic of this week’s edition of The Medieval Podcast.
Sex in the Not-City: Bad Behavior in the Medieval English Village
Why was the policing of sexual relationships in these medieval communities thought to be necessary in the first place?
Harald Bluetooth and the Ring-Castle at Trelleborg
Trelleborg and the other ring-castles constructed by Harald Bluetooth stand out in history as products of a developing age of state formation, and the rising importance of military power.
The Hundred Years War Revisited: Avenging Angel
“I am sent from God, the King of Heaven, to chase you out of all France, body for body.”
Medieval Netflix Review: Cursed
The latest filmed adaptation of the Arthurian legend is Cursed, released earlier this month on Netflix. How good is this series, and how does it portray the Middle Ages?
Medieval Silkworm Farming: A Global Perspective
How silkworms have influenced trade and agriculture throughout the world in a story spanning millennia.
How the Black Death Improved the Lives of Medieval Peasants
After the ravages of the plague were finished, medieval peasants found their lives and working conditions improved.
New Medieval Books: Pestilence, by Pamela Taylor
Read an excerpt from Pamela Taylor’s new novel Pestilence.
How to get Maps of the Medieval World through our Patreon
We have a new way you can support Medievalists.net and get a great benefit. We have teamed up with Tina Ross to create Maps of the Medieval World.
Medieval Reads: The point at which wallpaper history meets the Middle Ages
Wallpaper history is when the historical elements are chiefly painted onto a backdrop.
Medieval movies set in the Pacific
Our world tour of movies set in the medieval period takes us to the Pacific – the bad news is there don’t seem to be many. The good news is that they reward a viewing!
Explore medieval sites on Minecraft
Fans of Minecraft have two more places to explore, inspired by medieval sites from 10th century Denmark and 14th century England
The Ghost Knight
This week on The Medieval Podcast, it’s story time, with a tale that crosses over between fabliau and courtly love: The Ghost Knight. Danièle shares the story of how a knight manages to win his lady with a little supernatural sleight-of-hand.
The Hundred Years’ War Revisited: Band of Brothers
Despite decades of reversals experienced in the waning years of Edward III and throughout the reign of his turbulent grandson, Richard II, England’s role in the Hundred Years War was by no means finished.
Hagia Sophia: Past, Present, Future
Hagia Sophia has had a rich and turbulent history, changing hands between Christians and Muslims and having its doors open to all as a secular building from 1935 to 2020.
Medieval Scandinavia: The Rise and Fall of the Danish Kingdom
The history of Denmark between the late tenth and early fourteenth centuries.
Engaging the Crusades
What do the crusades mean today? A new book series entitled Engaging the Crusades takes a look.
Romance of the Three Kingdoms
Written in 14th century China, Romance of the Three Kingdoms can best be described as a historical novel. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle is joined by Peter Konieczny to talk about this famous work of warriors, generals and rulers.
Parenting Tips from a Tang Dynasty General
What was it like to have this famous general as a father?
Wit and Humour in the Hundred Years’ War
Medieval humour! Here are a few jokes and witticisms from the Hundred Years War.
The Story of The Buddha, as told in Medieval Europe
A curious case of a medieval story which crosses religious boundaries is the life of Josaphat, a Christian saint whose origins appear to be not Christian at all. His life story is the life story of the Buddha.
Mamluks vs. Mongols
The Mongols presented the greatest threat to the early Mamluk sultanate.
A Quick Guide to Medieval Literature
In medieval Europe one can find many examples of literature – from tales of knights and chivalry to plays performed in the middle of towns.