Book of the Month: The Animal Let Live: Marie de France’s Bisclavret and Milun
Our Book of the Month for November is The Animal Let Live: Marie de France’s Bisclavret and Milun, translated by Katherine Margot Toohey.
Latest Posts
New open-access journal for medieval studies
The inaugural issue of Eventum: A Journal of Medieval Arts and Rituals has been released. Based out of the Centre for Medieval Arts and Rituals (CeMAR) of the University of Cyprus it will be an open-access journal. pilgri
The Battle of Aljubarrota (1385)
Castile goes to war against Portugal, hoping to take over this kingdom. The English and the French even take sides in this conflict, which culminates at Aljubarrota. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss the battle, where we have a lot of good sources and brilliant military tactics.
Templars in Ireland: Colonialism and Conquest?
The Templar presence in Ireland was far less nationalistic than has often been supposed – the international order had its own unique agenda.
Nine medieval sites added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List
UNESCO has added 42 new places to its list of World Heritage sites during meetings held this month in Saudi Arabia. Among them are nine sites with deep connections to the Middle Ages, including Viking-age ring fortresses and a sacred city that was built in Cambodia in the 10th century.
Rare medieval octagonal tower discovered at German castle
Archaeologists working at Neuenburg Castle in central Germany have discovered the remains of one of the original towers that protected the main entrance to the fortress. They were surprised that the tower, which was built around the year 1100, was octagonal in shape.
A Medieval Duel: Guy of Steenvoorde vs Iron Herman
“Iron Herman fell prostrate to the ground, and Guy threw himself on top of him, pounding the knight’s mouth and eyes with his iron gauntlets.”
Privacy in the Middle Ages
Is privacy is a relatively new idea?
New Medieval Books: The Hot Trod: A History of the Anglo-Scottish Border
While billed as covering from Roman times to today, the bulk of this book focuses on the 13th to 16th centuries, a period of long conflict between Scotland and England.
A Medieval Dream
A pregnant woman in medieval London dreams of a log of wood and a slab of marble. What does it mean?
Our new book on the armies, and on revisionism in history, with Marion Kruse
In this 100th episode of Byzantium & Friends, Marion and Anthony talk about their new co-authored book, The Field Armies of the East Roman Empire, 361-630
Wonders and Rarities with Travis Zadeh
One of the favourite activities of medieval scholars was to write massive encyclopedias, distilling every last detail of the known world into book form to share with an insatiably curious public. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Travis Zadeh about a thirteenth-century bestseller written by a scholar named Qazwini, who brought together natural philosophy and what we might now call supernatural philosophy to reveal the workings of the world and the universe.
30 Medieval Superstitions
We know a lot about Christianity in the Middle Ages, but much less about the ‘pagan’ and folk religion that many people had. A list from the eighth century offers some clues into those medieval beliefs and superstitions.
The Battle of Castillon (1453)
The Hundred Years’ War goes to Gascony, as the English and French do battle at Castillon. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about why the English commander John Talbot made such a tragic mistake in attacking the French camp.
Robert of Sablé: From British Templar to Video Game Villain
Templar master, trusted admiral and skilled diplomat, Robert of Sablé had a chequered past – but he does not deserve the parody reputation that has emerged as a product of modern video gaming.
Strange Borders with Medieval Origins
Are you a geography fan, excited about enclaves and exclaves? Here we take a look at six strange border areas whose origins date back to the Middle Ages.
20 Myths about the Middle Ages
People have some very wrong ideas about the Middle Ages. Here is a list of twenty of the strangest misconceptions about the medieval period – they often came about to portray the people as being ignorant, cruel and unsophisticated.
Viking-age bronze buckle discovered in Gotland
Two medieval buckles were discovered this summer on the southern part of the Swedish island of Gotland. The first one was spotted by an 8-year-old boy.
Australian Catholic University proposes closing its Medieval and Early Modern Studies program
The Australian Catholic University has released a plan calling for the closure of its Medieval and Early Modern Studies program. Efforts are underway to save the program and the jobs of the seven people it employs.
Trees and Religion in Early Medieval England with Michael Bintley
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Michael D.J. Bintley about the evolving role of trees in early medieval England.
6th-century treasure hoard discovered in Norway
“This is the find of the century in Norway. Discovering such a significant amount of gold at once is extremely rare.”
14th-century cannon discovered off Swedish coast
An international research team has confirmed that a cannon discovered off Sweden’s west coast dates back to the 14th century. It might be Europe’s oldest shipboard cannon.
14 Medieval Sayings: ‘These are beautiful words to understand’
Need some medieval wisdom? A 14th-century merchant has left us a collection of sayings and proverbs under the title ‘These are beautiful words to understand’.
On the Paths of Hugues de Berzé: A Repentant Crusader Knight
Hugues de Berzé and how is experience in the Fourth Crusade changes him.
The Woman who Ruled the Papacy
The Papacy is a very male-dominated institution. However, for several years it was a woman who held true power over the Popes in Rome.
BooksAll posts
Book of the Month: The Animal Let Live: Marie de France’s Bisclavret and Milun
Our Book of the Month for November is The Animal Let Live: Marie de France’s Bisclavret and Milun, translated by Katherine Margot Toohey.
New Medieval Books: Medieval Monstrosity
New Medieval Books: Art of the Grimoire
New Medieval Books: Inked
New Medieval Books: Beowulf: Translation and Commentary
New Medieval Books: Wolves of Winter
New Medieval Books: Corruption, Protection and Justice in Medieval Europe
New Medieval Books: The Story of Attila in Prose
New Medieval Books: The Art of Anatomy in Medieval Europe
Places to SeeAll posts
Örebro Castle: History, Secrets, and Romance
For anyone who visits Örebro, it is hard to miss its castle – an ancient-looking fortress made of weathered grey stones that stands on an islet in the middle of the city centre.
The Vasa: Gustav II Adolf’s Glorious and Doomed Warship
On the 10th of August 1628, the Vasa sank in Stockholm harbour, thus ending the career of the most powerful warship that Sweden had ever seen.
Uppsala Slott: 5 Things You Ought to Know About One of Sweden’s Greatest Castles
This strategic location not only makes the castle a majestic sight, but also earns it the reputation as the most modern defence fortress in its time. But, as all ancient buildings, there is always more than meets the eye. Here are the five things that you may not know about Uppsala Castle.
Making Your Mark: Medieval Masons’ Marks at Tarascon
How do you operate a business when you can’t read and your knowledge of math is extremely limited? Making your mark on the…
The Weird, the Wonderful, and the Macabre in the Cathedral of Narbonne
Narbonne is one of those European cities with evidence of its past on every street.
Medieval English Embroidery on Display for the Last Time at the V&A’s Opus Anglicanum Exhibit
The V&A Museum opened its latest medieval exhibit exhibit on Saturday: Opus Anglicanum: Masterpieces of English Medieval Embroidery. I had the opportunity to see it opening day and it was spectacular.