More Than Scholars and Victims: The Forgotten Lives of Medieval Jews
Discover the overlooked roles of medieval Jews—not just as scholars and victims, but as warriors, storytellers, and lovers. This article explores Jewish participation in battles, chivalric tales, and everyday life across the Middle Ages.
Hellmouths, Rockets, and Feather Pillows: Special Effects in Medieval Theatre
From flaming hellmouths to heavenly ropes and staged miracles, discover the surprising special effects that brought medieval theatre to life.
The Kidnapping Scandal at Amesbury Priory
In 1400, a monastic power struggle at Amesbury Priory took a shocking turn when the ousted prior hired a gang to kidnap the prioress. What followed was a scandal of betrayal, lawsuits, and royal intervention—one of the wildest church disputes of the Middle Ages.
Medieval Christianity Was More Connected Than You Think: The Ethiopian Monk’s Story
One Ethiopian monk’s bold attempt to reshape his church’s hierarchy offers a striking example of how Christian communities across the medieval world were deeply interconnected.
The Mailman Was a Spy: Espionage in the Medieval Islamic World
The medieval Islamic world wasn’t just ahead in literacy and urbanization—it also built one of history’s most sophisticated spy networks. From mail carriers who doubled as informants to queens and singing-girls gathering secrets, espionage was woven into the fabric of power.
Medieval University Life Was Rough—Just Ask the Freshmen
Medieval university life was anything but dull—freshmen endured brutal hazing rituals, public humiliations, and even bizarre traditions involving feces, all in the name of scholarly initiation.
The Many Henrys of the Middle Ages
Ever feel like every other medieval king was named Henry? You’re not wrong. From warrior monarchs to excommunicated emperors, scholars, and even a blind Venetian conqueror, the Middle Ages had no shortage of Henrys—here’s a guide to sorting them out.
Why Being a Medieval Priest Wasn’t as Easy as You Think
Here are a few drawbacks to being a medieval priest.
How Medieval Navies Recruited Sailors Who Didn’t Want to Sail
Medieval navies struggled to find willing sailors, often resorting to bribes, deception, and even forced service to fill their ranks. From staged sea battles to promises of silver and spoils, recruiters used every trick in the book to turn reluctant men into seafarers.
Surprising Medieval Inventions: Nine Things You Didn’t Expect from the Middle Ages
From vegetarian meat substitutes to beach parties – find out what came from the Middle Ages!
The Surprising Talents of Medieval Dogs
Can your dog dig up rings, dance to music, or tell if a lady is pregnant?
Medieval Fitness: How to Exercise Like a 15th-Century University Student
Looking for fitness tips? Here’s how people stayed in shape in the 15th century.
7 Surprising Facts About Dragons in the Middle Ages
Why were dragons so popular—and what was a dragon in the Middle Ages, anyway? Here are a few things you might not know about medieval dragons
10 Quirky and Fascinating Medieval Book Titles
We all know that for a book to get noticed it needs a catchy title. Apparently, in the Middle Ages authors could think of some really great titles too! Here are ten of the best.
The Struggles of Travel in the Middle Ages
Travel in the Middle Ages was anything but easy. From grueling journeys on foot to muddy, impassable roads and slow-moving carts, medieval travelers faced challenges that make modern road trips seem luxurious.
What Your Birthstone Meant in the Middle Ages
Most of us today are probably familiar with the concept of birthstones—precious gems associated with each month, like a petrological Zodiac. It turns out birthstones are more or less an invention of modern jewelry manufacturers, whose meanings all boil down to “Buy this ring.” But this is boring. So I thought, why not make birthstones mean something today by looking at their superpowers according to the Middle Ages?
10 Fake (But Also Real) Medieval Proverbs
Ever wondered if medieval wisdom was just old wives’ tales or something more? Dive into the quirky world of the Distaff Gospels, where satire meets surprising truths in these so-called “fake” proverbs.
Top 10 Most Brutal Medieval Deaths: Gruesome Tales from the Dark Ages
Even though some reports may blur the lines between truth, rumour, and legend, these tales of brutal medieval deaths are worth exploring.
Dueling Divas and Celebrity Fandoms in Medieval Samarra
In the 850s, ‘Arib of Samarra had a problem, and her name was Shariya. Shariya likewise had a problem, and her name was ‘Arib.
You Might Be a Medieval Redneck If…
Call it hick, hayseed, or hillbilly: if you’re one of the rustici, you might be a medieval redneck.
How medieval children got their names
It is not, strictly speaking, true that every Christian in late medieval Europe had the same six names.
Jesus the Shopkeeper
The striking vision of Christ as a cook, a pharmacist, and a merchant fits right into Blannbekin’s physical world of Vienna and spiritual world of religious instruction.
O Fortuna: The story of one of the great poems (and songs) of the Middle Ages
What comes to mind when you think of medieval music?
What was it like to travel during the Middle Ages? Part 1: Going by Road
Road travel in the Middle Ages was basically awful.
