The Almost Kings of Anglo-Norman England
A look at four men – Robert Curthose, William Clito, Theobald II and Eustace – who almost became the King of England. Why didn’t they reach the throne?
Saying No to Medieval Fratricide: Why it wasn’t Ok to kill your Brother
A look into the lack of royal fratricide in twelfth-century England.
The White Ship Disaster, with Charles Spencer
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Charles Spencer about the 900th anniversary of one of those pivotal moments that sent shockwaves through history: the White Ship disaster.
The Place of Battle in the Context of Civil War, c.1100 – c.1217
The gravest decision faced by any medieval commander was whether or not to commit his army to a pitched battle, for the risks were enormous and the outcome always uncertain. But the circumstances of civil war made the question of whether to avoid battle or engage in one still harder.
Robert of Gloucester: The Almost-King of England
The father of Henry I could become the King of England despite his illegitimate birth. Why couldn’t Henry’s eldest son do the same?
Robert of Gloucester: The King’s Son Ascendant
If many Anglo-Norman and Angevin royal bastards during the 12th century could be said to be have had good fortunes, then Henry I’s eldest illegitimate child, Earl Robert of Gloucester, spent most of his lifetime rising on the wheel.
The White Ship Disaster
The sinking of the White Ship in 1120 had far reaching repercussions for the Anglo-Norman hegemony, sparking a succession crisis and sowing the seeds of three decades of dynastic strife between the Conqueror’s grandchildren.
Juliana: The Rebel Daughter of Henry I
Henry I’s daughter Juliana was, as far as history records, the only one who ever tried to kill the king having shot a crossbow at him in 1119.
1066 and Warfare: The Context and Place (Senlac) of the Battle of ‘Hastings’
In this essay, I shall first be extremely traditional by focusing on the battle of Hastings (or better, Senlac) and then turn briefly to what happened afterwards.
Huge Anglo-Norman coin hoard discovered in England
A massive hoard of over 2500 coins dating back to the eleventh-century has been discovered in southwestern England. It represents the largest discovery of coins from the period following the Norman Conquest in 1066, and preliminary estimates are valuing the hoard at £5 million.
England and the Irish Sea Zone in the Eleventh Century
In this paper I seek to highlight Ireland’s significance in English affairs from the reign of Æthelred the Unready to that of William Rufus.
Doing Things beside Domesday Book
Domesday Book is the collective name attached to two different bodies of text. Colloquially known as “Great” and “Little” Domesday, they represent successive documentary phases of the inquest undertaken by agents of William the Conqueror in 1086.
The Nightmare and the Accident: How King William Rufus died
If you had a terrible nightmare, would you see it as warning and try to change your ways?
Domesday Book was completed much later than 1087, historian finds
Symes makes the case in the journal Speculum that the final “Great Domesday Book” came years and perhaps decades later than the 1087 date to which it’s attributed
Political and Cultural Relations between Norway and England after the Conquest
What I want to suggest here is that there were important connection between Anglo-Norman England and Scandinavian literature and culture as well, even though the Anglo-Norman kings and writers increasingly looked to the continent for modes of explaining their society.
The prank that tore apart the family of William the Conqueror
It is not surprising to hear of brothers playing pranks on each other. However, when your father is King of England, the ramifications could lead to more trouble than anyone would realize.
Book Review: A Medieval Woman’s Companion by Susan Signe Morrison
Susan Signe Morrison’s book, “A Medieval Woman’s Companion” brings the contributions of medieval women, famous and obscure, to the forefront in this fantastic introductory text.
Serlo of Bayeux and England
After a short introduction highlighting Serlo’s ambiguous attitude to the English and its king in 1105-1106, I shall discuss three texts which link Serlo with England.
BOOK REVIEW: The Norman Conquest: William the Conqueror’s Subjugation of England by Teresa Cole
October marked the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings. Author Teresa Cole’s latest book, The Norman Conquest: William the Conqueror’s Subjugation of England, looks at the events, key figures, and sources that brought Harold Godwinson (1022-1066) and William I (1028-1087) to this pivotal turning point in English history.
Book Excerpt & Promotion! The Norman Conquest: William the Conqueror’s Subjugation of England by Teresa Cole
The Norman Conquest: William the Conqueror’s Subjugation of England look at the origins, course and outcomes of William the Conqueror’s conquest of England 1051-1087.
Medieval Religious Patronage: A Study of the Anglo-Welsh Marcher Lords and their Connections to Religious Houses, 1066 – 1300
In a world where religion played a far greater role in society than it does in the modern day, it is no surprise that those living in the medieval period desired a close association with the church. Nowhere is this association clearer than with the aristocracy of the time.
BOOK REVIEW: The Northern Queen by Kelly Evans
Kelly Evans’Anglo-Saxon novel centres around the story of Aelfgifu of Northampton (990-1040); from her rise in court and eventual marriage to one of England’s most famous early kings, Cnut the Great (995-1035), to her repudiation, and later life with her sons after Cnut’s passing.
Books – Conquests: Hearts Rule Kingdoms by Emily Murdoch
A look at author Emily Murdoch’s book, Conquests, from her series, ‘Conquered Hearts’
Hastings: An Unusual Battle
Part of the reason academic warriors have covered the ground so often is that the battle is by no means easy to understand. It was unusual in a number of ways; so unusual, that the battle demands special care in interpretation.
The Arrow of Sherwood by Lauren Johnson
My book review of Robin Hood tale, Arrow of Sherwood by Lauren Johnson.