What Do Vikings Mean to You? New Global Survey Seeks Answers
The University of Oslo’s Museum of Cultural History has launched a global study to uncover how people around the world perceive Viking warriors and the enduring legacy of the Viking Age. The Great Viking Survey invites individuals to share their thoughts on these iconic medieval figures and their influence in modern culture.
Chain Linked to Prince Edward V Found in 16th-Century Will
A recent discovery in The National Archives has shed new light on the enduring mystery of the Princes in the Towe
Medieval Pacific City Abandoned Due to Climate Change 600 Years Ago
Known as the “Venice of the Pacific,” Nan Madol is a remarkable site consisting of over 100 artificial islets built with nearly a million tons of basalt and coral. New findings suggest that environmental pressures forced the city’s abandonment 600 years ago, offering important lessons for the modern world.
Vote for Your Favourite Medieval Studies’ Open Access Resource
Princeton’s Middle Ages for Educators (MAFE) team has been working to pull together the MAFE Open Access Resources (OAR) Sweet 16 competition featuring materials about the Middle Ages, and the voting is now open!
Medieval London Skeletons Rewrite Health History
Studying medieval skeletons can help create specific health measures for different populations in the past, according to a recent study published in the journal Science Advances.
Medieval Economy Revealed Through Timber Tales
Scientists have reconstructed European socio-economic cycles between 1250 and 1699 in unprecedented detail, by using the power of tree rings to reveal the exact age of more than 54,000 pieces of timber from historical buildings
Early Medieval Christian Basilica Discovered in Italy
Archaeologists have uncovered a significant early Christian basilica in Aquileia, Italy, shedding new light on the city’s religious and geopolitical role during the Byzantine era.
Peasant Heroes and Troll Ancestors: A New Look at Icelandic Sagas
A new study by Valerie Broustin, a Scandinavian Studies expert from the University of Bonn, sheds fresh light on a lesser-known collection of Icelandic sagas. Her work on the Hrafnistumannasögur reveals a unique twist: ordinary farmers rise to heroic status, overturning traditional saga narratives that focus on kings and gods. Broustin’s findings could reshape how scholars approach this medieval literary genre.
King Otto I’s Tribute to Queen Edith Re-Dated After New Analysis
A tribute from King Otto I of Germany to his late English queen, Edith, has been re-dated following new research by a historian from the University of Exeter.
Early Medieval Treasure Secured for English Museum
A rare piece of early medieval history has been secured for display in an English museum, thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign. The Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pyramidal sword mount, dating back to the seventh century, will soon be part of The Novium Museum’s collection in Chichester, ensuring its preservation and accessibility to the public.
Relics of St. Thomas Aquinas come to Washington D.C.
The major relics of St. Thomas Aquinas, including his skull, will be on display in Washington, D.C., from November 29 to November 30, 2024.
Medieval Saint Eanswythe’s Relics Returned to Rest in England
The relics of Saint Eanswythe, a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon princess and one of England’s earliest saints, have been returned to their original resting place in Folkestone. Hidden for centuries to escape destruction, her remains were rediscovered and studied, shedding new light on the life of this remarkable medieval figure.
The First 3D Anatomy Models: Vesalius’ Paper Manikins Finally Reunited
For nearly 500 years, the groundbreaking work of 16th-century anatomist Andreas Vesalius has shaped medical education, but one of his most innovative tools—anatomical “manikins” designed to teach 3D anatomy—has largely remained in the shadows. Now, for the first time, these intricate paper models have been brought together by American researchers, offering a fresh look at how Vesalius revolutionised the study of the human body.
Viking Settlers: Iceland and Faroes Compared
Discover how Viking settlers of Iceland and the Faroe Islands came from distinct Scandinavian origins, revealed by a new genetic study.
French women had more power in the Middle Ages than after the Revolution
The Middle Ages were not all about tyrannical rulers and power struggles. Cooperation, compromise, and women in power were also common, according to a historian at the University of Oslo.
Medieval document exposed as 18th-century forgery
A medieval document thought to date from 1266 has been exposed as an elaborate 18th-century forgery. Uncovered by researchers at Göttingen University, the text reveals the cunning schemes of Domenico Cicci, a forger who fabricated hundreds of documents to elevate his family’s status.
Viking Sword Fragment Discovered in The Netherlands
A fragment of a 10th-century Viking sword, the first of its kind discovered in the Netherlands, has been unearthed near the Frisian town of Witmarsum. This remarkable find, a pommel cap that once adorned the hilt of a sword, offers new insights into the Viking Age and the pivotal role Frisia played as a hub in the Norse world.
Study Suggests Plague Reached Britain Earlier Than Thought
Medieval historians have often downplayed how the First Pandemic, also known as the Justinianic Plague, affected Britain. A new study is challenging this notion, and even suggests that the plague may have struck the British Isles at least twice.
How Medieval English Queens Used Gifts to Influence Power and Loyalty
A new study reveals how medieval English queens used gift-giving as a powerful tool to secure alliances and demonstrate authority. From Margaret of Anjou’s lavish gold cups to Elizabeth of York’s symbolic gestures, the research uncovers the political and social significance behind these royal acts of generosity.
Uncovering Rungholt: Secrets of a Lost Medieval Town in the North Sea
Beneath the tidal flats of the North Sea lie the remnants of Rungholt, a medieval town lost to a storm in 1362. Recent discoveries are shedding light on its wealthy past and the fragile balance between human ambition and nature’s power.
Who Lived in Early Medieval Flanders? DNA Reveals the Answer
Who lived in Flanders during the 7th century, and where did they come from? New DNA research from Merovingian graves in Koksijde has uncovered surprising insights into the region’s diverse ancestral origins.
New York University hosts exhibition on Islamic Spain
Running until March 2, 2025, this is the first U.S. exhibition dedicated to the magnificent palace-city of Madinat al-Zahra, built near present-day Córdoba, Spain.
Björn Weiler passes away
Björn Weiler, a Professor of History at Aberystwyth University, and a leading scholar of medieval European political history, has passed away.
A Medieval Great Helm, a Terracota Horse, and Odin’s Head go up for auction
Apollo Art Auctions is holding its Ancient Art and Antiquities auction on Sunday, November 18th. Dozens of medieval items will be going up for bid. Here are a few of the featured items going up for sale.