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.
The Holy Spirit in Female Form: Medieval Tales of Faith and Heresy
The stories of Guglielma of Milan and Na Prous Boneta of Montpelier – how they became associated with the Holy Spirit – and how the Catholic Church responded to them.
Ten Fabulous 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!
So You Want to Be a Medieval Priest
It might seem like one of the more glamorous professions in the Middle Ages – as a priest you could run a church and offer moral leadership to your parishioners. But here are a few drawbacks to being a medieval priest.
Join the Navy! The Medieval version
How do you convince men to take a job on a medieval warship?
Swimming in the Middle Ages
Did medieval Europeans swim for fun?
Mothers Who Weren’t: Wet Nurses in the Medieval Mediterranean
By Cait Stevenson The mother’s traditional role as first teacher of virtue and religion began with suckling. It’s no wonder, then, that later…
Why is this Knight Different than Other Knights?
Taking a look at where we else can find the Jewish community in the Middle Ages: the heart of battle.
“From what is earthly to what is divine”: The Story of Caritas Pirckheimer, Renaissance Woman
An abbess fighting for her nuns, a scholar of humanism, and a historian of the Franciscans.
Celebrating Hanukkah in the Middle Ages
While Purim and Hanukkah in the Middle Ages already focused attention on two stellar women of Jewish history, Esther and Judith, the mode of celebration centered on the efforts of contemporary Jewish women as well!
Pola of Rome: The Story of a Woman Jewish Scribe
Pola, who flourished in Rome at the turn of the fourteenth century, tells us three times, in three separate manuscripts, that she is the “daughter of R. Abraham the scribe.”
Medieval Special Effects
A good dramatic play in the Middle Ages might need a blazing hellmouth or a few rockets firing about.
Your Birthstone According to the Middle Ages
Birthstones and their superpowers according to the Middle Ages
Medieval swimming – from the Good to the Scared
The extent of summer swimming in medieval Europe is a fairly open question. We know that some people certainly could swim, although the skill was rare enough to be remarked.
How well do you know your medieval manuscripts: Beast Mode
You know these manuscripts–most of them would make ‘most famous lists.’ But that means you know them by nickname. Do you also know them by shelfmark?
What to eat in (and at) Medieval Times
If the Renfair people can get this right, how does the Medieval Times menu perform?
How well do you know your Medieval Manuscripts?
Can you identify these iconic medieval manuscripts?
The Twelve Types of Drunkenness
Oswald von Wolkenstein gives us twelve examples of what happens to drunk people.