New Medieval Books: No Return
Usury—the practice of lending money at interest—became a major social flashpoint in western Europe during the Middle Ages. This book traces how resentment of usury fuelled hostility that, in many places, escalated into the expulsion of Jewish communities and other Christian moneylenders.
New Medieval Books: The Floods of the Tiber
In 1530, the River Tiber burst its banks, triggering a major flood in Rome. The following year, a scholar named Luis Gómez wrote about the disaster—placing it alongside earlier floods recorded in the city’s history.
New Medieval Books: The Deeds of the Neapolitan Bishops
In the eighth and ninth centuries, Naples was an autonomous city-state navigating complex relationships with its neighbours. This book presents the original text and translation of a contemporary account that chronicles the city’s local history during this period.
New Medieval Books: Annals of Margam
This book presents a translation of the annals compiled at Margam Abbey in southern Wales, covering the years 1066 to 1231. While primarily focused on English and Welsh events, it also includes some material on broader international affairs.
New Medieval Books: Annals of Winchester
Covering the years 519 to 1277, this chronicle provides an account of events in England throughout much of the Middle Ages. It includes both the 19th-century Latin edition and an English translation
New Medieval Books: The Donkey King
Why does the humble donkey appear alongside prophets and demons? This book delves into the many roles donkeys play in Arabic literature—from comic relief to a symbol of the supernatural.
New Medieval Books: Situating Medieval India
Something of an overview of the history of India between the 11th and 18th centuries, this book examines a number of topics related to society and culture. The focus is often how the rulers of the region were often Muslims while the majority of its people were Hindu.
New Medieval Books: Vikings, Half-Trolls and Saga-Authors
Medieval Icelanders had a deep fascination with their ancestors, a theme vividly reflected in the sagas they wrote. This book explores four sagas set in Iceland’s early days, examining how these stories were preserved and passed down through generations.
New Medieval Books: Annals of Tewkesbury
A Latin edition and English translation of the Annals of Tewkesbury, covering the years 1066 to 1263. The text provides a detailed account of events in England, with a particular focus on the 13th century.
New Medieval Books: Daoist Master Changchun’s Journey to the West
An account of a three-year trip from China to the Mongol domain in the 13th century, this translation details the travels and experience of religious men as they enter a world very different from their own.
New Medieval Books: Diary of a Black Jewish Messiah
This book presents a translation of a fascinating and highly unusual 16th-century text: the diary of a self-proclaimed Jewish leader—though he was likely a con artist—who traveled across Europe meeting with rulers as part of a scheme to wage war against the Ottoman Empire. Even after reading this diary, you may still find yourself questioning who this enigmatic figure truly was and what his ultimate goals might have been.
New Medieval Books: On Niccolò Machiavelli
An introduction to the life and writings of Niccolò Machiavelli. The book aims to to explain how this medieval Italian writer conveyed his political ideas and the links between his works that others have often missed.
New Medieval Books: Medical Writings from Early Medieval England
What was the state of medical knowledge in England in the Early Middle Ages? This book provides texts and translations of several works that delve into ailments and their treatments, showcasing a fascinating blend of medicinal practices, magical remedies, and religious beliefs.
Shadow Empires, with Thomas Barfield – Byzantium & Friends, Episode 124
A conversation with Thomas Barfield about a distinctive category of empires that he has proposed in a new book, Shadow Empires: An Alternative Imperial History.
New Medieval Books: The Exile’s Cookbook
This translation of a 13th-century cookbook delves into the rich culinary traditions of Andalusian and North African cuisine. Featuring 480 recipes, it guides you through preparing meat and vegetarian dishes, crafting breads and pastries, and exploring the fascinating world of medieval food.
New Medieval Books: The Medieval Persian Gulf
Although the Persian Gulf was not as prosperous or influential in the Middle Ages as it is today, the region boasts a fascinating history. This book delves into its communities, exploring their ethnic and religious dynamics alongside their trade activities.
New Medieval Books: Touching Parchment
These two volumes, both open-access, reveals how medieval people physically interacted with books. This went way beyond just reading them – these manuscripts would be kissed, sworn upon, displayed publicly and more. It’s a fascinating look at how books were more than the words written on them in the Middle Ages.
New Medieval Books: Empire in the Western Ocean
This book chronicles the rise of the Ming Dynasty and their creation of a formidable naval power that extended far beyond China’s shores, reaching deep into the Indian Ocean.
New Medieval Books: Muslims on the Volga in the Viking Age
This collection of 19 essays delves into the 10th-century journey of Ibn Fadlan to the Rus’ and Volga Bulgarians. The essays offer an in-depth analysis of his text, shedding light on how medieval Arab perspectives shaped their understanding of the Vikings and other northern peoples.
New Medieval Books: Radegund
The story of Radegund, a 6th-century princess who would find herself being married to the man who had killed her family. From high politics in the Merovingian Empire to the creation of a monastery, Radegund’s life is a very interesting tale.
New Medieval Books: The Misadventures of Master Mugwort
The Misadventures of Master Mugwort: A Joke Book Trilogy from Imperial China By Su Shi, Lu Cai, Tu Benjun Translated by Elizabeth Smithrosser…
New Medieval Books: The Price of Collapse
Why did the Ming Dynasty collapse in the 17th century? This book offers an answer by looking at grain prices and how they were affected by climate change.
New Medieval Books: Saints and Sinners on Horseback
A collection of 11 essays dealing with horses and their riders in the Middle Ages and Early Modern Era. They range from those animals mentioned in saints’ lives to those who were just being stolen in the English countryside.
New Medieval Books: Holbein at the Tudor Court
A look at the artist Hans Holbein and the dozens of portraits he created while at the court of King Henry VIII of England. Many of his drawings are explained in depth, revealing Holbein’s technique and style.
