New bridge installed at Harlech Castle
A new bridge was installed at Harlech Castle last month, which will allow visitors to enter the site through the original historic entrance for the first time in more than 600 years.
Digging into the Secrets of Medieval Manuscripts
Digital tools, including a free, public online manuscript training course, are allowing Stanford University English professor and medieval manuscript scholar Elaine Treharne to share her expertise well beyond traditional classroom walls.
Thirteenth-century Papal Bull repaired and digitized
An extraordinary Papal document that’s nearly 800 years old has become a valuable teaching and research tool at University of British Columbia, thanks to a history instructor’s passion and the university library’s restoration efforts.
Free online course offers unique insights into Richard III reinterment
The third run of the free popular ‘England in the Time of King Richard III’ online course will be launching Monday 16 February – and will offer a fascinating insight into life during 15th century England in the build up to the reinterment of Richard III on Thursday 26 March.
Where should the remains of Richard III be until he is buried?
Some of the people responsible for finding Richard III are asking that his remains be no longer kept in an university laboratory, but be coffined in a holy place until his reburial in March.
‘Iceland: Land of Fire, Ice and Vikings’ symposium takes place next month
Those interested in Iceland’s history and future will be gathering at California Lutheran University next month for the 16th Annual Nordic Spirit Symposium. The two-day conference’s theme is ‘Iceland: Land of Fire, Ice and Vikings’.
Gothic Wonder: New Book examines the spectacular buildings of Medieval England
In his book, Gothic Wonder, Professor Paul Binski explores a period in which English art and architecture pushed the boundaries to produce some of Europe’s most spectacular buildings and illuminated manuscripts.
Amazing archery shots based on historical research
By making use of ancient and medieval sources, Lars Andersen is revealing techniques lost for centuries and showing off some incredible archery shots.
Metaphor in the Medieval Middle East
Through a study of metaphor in medieval Arabic literature, Stanford comparative literature professor Alexander Key finds that the Arab world had a head start on the West when it comes to understanding how language works.
It’s too hot! I’m hungry! : The Challenges of Going on Crusade
The journey to the Holy Land by crusaders was often a perilous trip. However, the biggest fear for many crusaders was that the climate would be dangerously hot for them.
These are some of the findings of Joanna Phillips, who spoke earlier this week at the Institute of Historical Research. Her paper, ‘Marching on their Stomachs? Crusader Marches to the Holy Land in the Twelfth Century’ dealt with issues related to food, health and travel during the crusades in the Eastern Mediterranean.
A Clerk of Oxford wins best History Blog of the Year award
Eleanor Parker’s blog A Clerk of Oxford has been named Blog of the Year during the Longman-History Today awards, which was held last week.
Vikings’ homes would have been very polluted, researchers find
Danish researchers have found that the fires used for cooking and heat in Viking-era houses would have caused significant indoor air pollution.
Great #MakeHistoryCute Tweets
History rarely trends on Twitter, so let’s celebrate having #MakeHistoryCute go viral and see what the Twitterverse is coming up with!
15th century ruins discovered near Dunluce Castle
Historians have known that a 17th-century town existed near the iconic Dunluce Castle in Northern Ireland, but new research has uncovered new evidence of an earlier settlement, dating back to the 15th century.
Magna Carta Through the Ages exhibition to take place in London
The Society of Antiquaries of London will launch a historic exhibition to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the sealing of Magna Carta. It will bring together and display, for the first time, the Society’s three copies of the charter.
Free online course on the Magna Carta
The Magna Carta and its Legacy begins on Monday, January 12th and runs until February 20th.
Archaeological discoveries uncovered at Caernarfon Castle in Wales
It seems if you dig anywhere around Caernarfon Castle in Wales you will be able to turn up a wide variety of historical artifacts. The construction of a new ticketing entrance has led to new finds of ancient, medieval and early modern origins.
Over 5000 medieval coins discovered in England
5,251 silver coins dating back to the 11th century were discovered last month on a farm in Buckinghamshire, England. It is thought to be one of the largest hoards of Anglo Saxon coins ever found in Britain.
Archaeologists set explore Clifford’s Tower
The second phase of archaeological investigations to better understand the iconic Clifford’s Tower in York is set to begin this month.
Northumberland Bestiary now online
The Getty Museum has recently digitized and made available the Northumberland Bestiary, a 13th century manuscript containing descriptions and images of animals and beasts.
Ancient and Medieval Hoards discovered in Croatia
A demonstration of metal detecting equipment in Croatia has led to the uncovering of hoards of coins and artefacts that date back to the ancient and medieval periods.
The Vikings and Genetics
What can DNA tells us about the Vikings?
2015 Medieval Art Calendar for Sale
Stefan Sauer is selling a calendar based on initials on Codex Gottwicensis 235, a 15th-century illustrated manuscript created by an anonymous monk from Stift Göttweig, Austria.
Gift Giving in the Middle Ages – new exhibition at The Getty
Just in time for the holidays, Give and Ye Shall Receive: Gift Giving in the Middle Ages, is now on view at the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
What’s the forecast for 2015? A Medieval Twelve Days of Christmas forecast reveals all
Is a BBQ summer on the cards in 2015? Will farmers make hay next year? And is there a political scandal on the election horizon? Well take a peek out of the window with the University of Reading’s Medieval Weather Forecast guide on the 12 days of Christmas and you’ll find out!