New Medieval Books: The Middle Ages In Computer Games
Many people first encounter the Middle Ages through video games. This book examines how these games incorporate familiar medieval tropes while simultaneously shaping new perceptions of the past.
New Medieval Books: The Anarchy: The Darkest Days of Medieval England
When King Henry I died in 1135, his nephew Stephen of Blois seized the English throne, igniting a bitter struggle for power with his cousin Matilda. This book explores the ensuing civil war, known as The Anarchy, a turbulent period that plunged England into chaos and conflict.
New Medieval Books: Charter of the Order of the Dragon
In 1408, King Sigismund of Hungary and Croatia created a chivalric order which would play an important role in efforts against the Ottoman Empire. This book contains the Latin text and English translation of the charter that set up this order.
New Medieval Books: The Monastic World
This book introduces the reader to monks and monasteries in medieval Europe, detailing the evolution of this important institution in Christianity. It explores how monasticism transformed over the centuries, adapting to different contexts and taking on diverse forms.
New Medieval Books: The Church of St. Polyeuktos at Constantinople
Built in the 6th century, the Church of St. Polyeuktos was once the largest church in Constantinople. This book tells the story of this building and its rediscovery in the 1960s.
New Medieval Books: What is Better than a Good Woman?
Alice Chaucer may not have come from nobility, but through a series of marriages she was able to build herself into a powerful figure in 15th-century England. This biography tells her story.
New Medieval Books: In Search of Norfolk’s First Stone Churches
What materials were used to build churches in the Middle Ages? This book offers a study of 649 churches in the English county of Norfolk, revealing what kind of stone they used, some of which was recycled from Roman buildings.
New Medieval Books: Genesis Myth in Beowulf and Old English Biblical Poetry
The Bible opens with the Book of Genesis, which recounts the creation of the world and other foundational stories of Christianity. This book explores how these tales appear in early medieval English literature, including Beowulf.
New Medieval Books: The Dublin Annals of Prior John de Pembridge OP and his Dominican continuator
Medieval Ireland is renowned for its rich tradition of annals. This book adds to that legacy by presenting an edition and translation of a 14th-century text, offering valuable insight into this historical record.
Seven Cambridge Elements Books that Medievalists Can Download for Free
The Cambridge Elements Series has recently released seven thought-provoking books that delve into different aspects of medieval life, thought, and global connections.
New Medieval Books: The Illustrated Cairo Genizah
The Cairo Genizah stands as one of the most significant collections of medieval documents, offering unparalleled insights into the past. This book highlights hundreds of fascinating examples from the Genizah, complemented by images of the original documents.
New Medieval Books: Women and the Reformations
From queens like Elizabeth I to mystics such as Teresa of Ávila, women held pivotal roles in the religious struggles that shaped Christianity during the late Middle Ages and Early Modern period. This book examines the Reformation and Counter Reformation through several leading female figures, both within and outside of Europe.
New Medieval Books: Son of Prophecy
This biography of Henry Tudor delves into his ancestry, tracing his lineage across several generations before detailing his path to the English throne. The book places a particular emphasis on the Tudors’ Welsh heritage and connections.
New Medieval Books: The Teutonic Knights
The Teutonic Knights, a prominent military order, were active primarily in the Baltic region but also played a significant role in the Near East and Transylvania. This book explores their origins, rise to regional dominance, and eventual decline.
New Medieval Books: An Introduction to Jean Bodel
Those studying medieval literature will enjoy having this excellent biography of a somewhat under-appreciated twelfth-century writer.
New Medieval Books: The Beauty of Ugliness and the Ugliness of Beauty
A collection of five essays exploring the significance of physical appearance in the Middle Ages. Delving into law and literature, this work sheds light on how medieval people perceived and interpreted physical traits, revealing deeper insights into their society and culture.
New Medieval Books: The Damietta Crusade, 1217-1221
The Fifth Crusade saw European forces launch an ambitious invasion of Egypt. This book delves into the military dimensions of the campaign, examining the grand strategy of the Crusaders and the tactical manoeuvres employed during the protracted siege of Damietta, which spanned over 18 months.
New Medieval Books: The Latin Continuation of William of Tyre
As part of the Crusade Texts in Translation series, this account chronicles events in the Near East from 1184 through the conclusion of the Third Crusade. Written by an anonymous author reflecting on these events, the text explores the reasons behind the crusaders’ failure to achieve their goals.
New Medieval Books: Medieval Literature: An Introduction to Type-Scenes
In medieval literature, one can find many scene types—familiar moments or sequences in a story, much like tropes. This book explores over thirty of these, such as acquiring a magic ring, the hero obtaining their weapon, or encountering a wise woman.
10 Open Access Books about the Middle Ages you can Read for Free
Here are ten books published in 2024 that medievalists will enjoy and are free to download and read.
New Medieval Books: The Fell Deeds of Fate
The first book in The Saga of Hasting the Accursed series, this historical novel is set in the eighth century and follows a Viking warrior as he makes an epic journey across Europe.
New Medieval Books: Giants in the Medieval City
In the Late Middle Ages, particularly in German-speaking lands, the perception of giants underwent a notable transformation—from monstrous and malevolent figures to noble and heroic ones. This book explores numerous examples where giants, and those considered “gigantic,” evolved into celebrated hometown heroes.
New Medieval Books: An Introduction to Literary Debate in Late Medieval France
Just like us, medieval people enjoyed analysing and discussing their literature. This book explores the lively discussions surrounding two renowned works from medieval France.
New Medieval Books: The Emergence of Arabic Poetry
Offering a fresh look at the origins and development of Arabic poetry, this book argues that pre-Islamic poetry reflected regional identities and that later Islamic scholars favoured a specific style to define a unified Arab culture.