Where the Middle Ages Begin
When Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170, he was instantly transformed into one of the most prominent figures in medieval Christianity. His image spread widely across Europe, appearing in manuscripts, sculptures, stained glass windows, and other forms of material culture. This book brings together 11 essays that explore how Becket was represented, remembered, and venerated through these visual and physical media.
What everyday objects did people use in the Middle Ages? From clothing and household necessities to tools for work and warfare, these 25 medieval items were essential to daily life and shaped how people lived, ate, and survived.
Delve into the pivotal figures of the Middle Ages whose enduring legacies shaped the course of history. From visionary leaders and profound scholars to prolific writers and formidable warriors, these individuals left an indelible mark on medieval society.
Discover the 50 most significant events of the Middle Ages, spanning the years 500 to 1500.
Here are seven vivid facts about colour in 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.
Are you wanting to talk more like someone from the Middle Ages? We have a list of 30 great sayings and proverbs that you can use in your conversations.
Have you wondered what a medieval king did on a typical day? Thanks to Christine de Pizan, we have an account of what daily life was like for King Charles V of France.
Some of our most popular phrases have a long history, including some that go back to the Middle Ages.
Want to know what kind of jobs there were in the Middle Ages? A unique source from the 15th century gives us some beautiful images of medieval people at work.
If you are looking for some advice, perhaps it would be good to read the words of wisdom offered by Freidank.
Archaeologists in England believe they have located a tunnel that was once part of Hyde Abbey, a monastery located in Winchester which is the burial place of Alfred the Great.
A series of myths arose in various European countries about the return of a former great king, who is just sleeping, waiting for his time to return and save his homeland.
Despite al-Ma’mun’s victory in the war against his brother, al-Amin, the fighting did not end in Iraq. The six years after the siege of Baghdad were punctuated by factional fighting, violence, bloodshed, and social and political turmoil and unrest.
Archaeologists working in the Czech Republic have discovered the remains of a kitchen dating back to the 15th century. Many items have been found in remarkable condition, including pots with their lids intact and kitchen utensils.
Conference taking place from 26-28 June 2023 in Istanbul
How did our medieval ancestors use dove faeces, fox lungs, salted owl, and eel grease in medical treatments? A major project at Cambridge University Library is finding out.
Using stool samples from Viking latrines, researchers at the University of Copenhagen have genetically mapped one of the oldest human parasites – the whipworm.
It’s September: a time for fresh starts, as well as a time when every career and educational decision may seem large and looming. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle shares the story of how her many false starts, successes, and failures led to her career as an indie medievalist.
Have we reached a point where “medieval” has become a brand in itself?
Managing access to clean water and large quantities of grain and other foodstuffs was essential for the development of an exceedingly large city such as Baghdad under the Abbasids.Managing access to clean water and large quantities of grain and other foodstuffs was essential for the development of an exceedingly large city such as Baghdad under the Abbasids.
Some of the most impressive achievements of the Crusaders in the Near East were the castles they built. But why did they choose the particular locations they did when it came to constructing these fortresses?
The Mediterranean island of Rhodes would once be the stage for the conflict between the Hospitallers and the Ottoman Empire. In this episode of Bow and Blade, Michael and Kelly talk about how Suleiman the Magnificent was able to besiege and overcome the Hospitallers and their fortress.
Here are six new works of fiction that medievalists might want to have as a late summer read.
Exploring the theories that support and deny Cathar influence within the troubadours’ compositions.
The answer is more complex than you might think.
The war between the sons of Harun al-Rashid caused irreparable damage to the economic, political, and military structure of the Abbasid caliphate. The struggle for the throne led to the caliphate’s eventual disintegration and the reduction of the Abbasid caliphs’ power and authority.
Bees and bee products were of tremendous cultural significance in the Later Middle Ages
The History Channel has two popular shows – Ancient Aliens and Vikings. Both are anything but historical, and yet they both challenge the viewer to rethink the ways that they approach the past. What would happen if you combined the two?
This week, Danièle answers your burning medieval questions from social media and Patreon, covering everything from diapers, to sleep, to the mysterious Green Man.
One of the powerful men in late fourteenth and early fifteenth-century Scotland was Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. While he served as regent to three Scottish kings, he seemingly wanted even more power. In this episode of Scotichronicast, Kate Buchanan is joined by Dr. Shayna Devlin as they talk about Robert and his family.
In 2004, construction workers in the English town of Norwich unearthed human skeletal remains that led to a historical mystery—at least 17 bodies at the bottom of a medieval well. Using archeological records, historical documents, and ancient DNA, researchers have now identified the individuals to be a group of Ashkenazi Jews who may have fallen victim to antisemitic violence which took place in the year 1190.
An 8th-century monastery in southern England could have enjoyed similarly important status as a trade and production centre to larger towns like London and Southampton, a new excavation has revealed.
The Frieze Seoul, a new international art fair, will be showcasing two privately held medieval manuscripts. Les Enluminures, a leading dealer in manuscripts, will be showing the items that are both privately held.
When Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170, he was instantly transformed into one of the most prominent figures in medieval Christianity. His image spread widely across Europe, appearing in manuscripts, sculptures, stained glass windows, and other forms of material culture. This book brings together 11 essays that explore how Becket was represented, remembered, and venerated through these visual and physical media.
A conversation with Ada Palmer about the invention of the idea of the Italian Renaissance and the functions that it serves in the western historical imagination. “Byzantium” is a similarly invented category that often works in tandem with “the Renaissance” to mark good and bad moments in the history of culture.
This week, in celebration of Episode 300, Danièle answers your questions on everything from Hastings to hose, with a couple of surprises along the way.
A conversation with Anastasia Koumousi about the recently identified portrait of the last emperor of the Romans in Constantinople, Konstantinos XI Palaiologos, in a monastery church in the northern Peloponnese.
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Robert Lively about how a person became a Viking lawyer, what the process was for solving disputes, and how fixing bad behaviour worked in this shame-based culture.
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with John Beusterien about elephants and ivory in medieval China and Spain, including how elephants were put into service, and how ivory was used and traded across the world.
A conversation with Alasdair Grant about the captivity and enslavement that many Greeks (Romaioi) experienced in the late medieval period, a period of state collapse during which they were subject to Italian and Turkish raids and attacks.