Evolving English Strategies during the Viking Wars
Alfred’s success was based on his ability to plan strategically on a grand scale, and that Æthelred II’s failure was due, at least in part, to his and his advisors’ inability to develop a coherent strategy against a similar threat.
Medieval Mystery Solved: Sutton Hoo Bucket Was a Cremation Vessel
Archaeologists have uncovered the intact base of a 6th-century Byzantine bucket at Sutton Hoo—revealing it was used as a cremation vessel in an early Anglo-Saxon burial, complete with human remains and grave goods.
Saxon Cross Unearthed in Leeds Reveals Medieval Past
A rare 8th-century Saxon cross discovered near Leeds in northern England offers new insights into early medieval life and religious identity in Northumbria.
How to Harvest a Mandrake: Medieval Medicine and Magic in the Old English Herbarium
Discover the medieval cure-all known as the mandrake—and why you needed a hungry dog to pull it from the ground, according to a 10th-century medical text.
The Council of Whitby: A Study in Early Anglo-Saxon Politics
This article re-examines the Council of Whitby (664) in light of political tensions in early Anglo-Saxon England, arguing that the synod was driven as much by dynastic conflict and papal diplomacy as by liturgical dispute. Drawing on sources like Bede and the Life of Wilfrid, it offers a revised timeline and highlights the council’s significance in Oswiu’s struggle for ecclesiastical and political supremacy.
King Alfred’s Peace-Making Strategies with the Vikings
Explore how King Alfred’s peace-making strategies, from treaties to baptisms, reshaped Viking leaders into Christian rulers, ultimately transforming the fate of medieval England.
JORVIK Viking Festival Brings Norse Spectacle to York This Weekend
The JORVIK Viking Festival is in full swing in York, with key events set to take place this weekend, drawing visitors from around the world to celebrate the city’s rich Norse heritage.
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.
Archaeologists Identify ‘Lost’ Anglo-Saxon Site Depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry
A team of archaeologists has uncovered evidence that a private home in England may stand on the site of a long-lost residence belonging to Harold Godwinson, the last Anglo-Saxon King of England. Their findings suggest that this location, depicted in the Bayeux Tapestry, was a major centre of power before the Norman Conquest.
Early English Queens with Matthew Firth – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 273
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Matthew Firth about what early queenship looked like, the role queens played in legitimizing a king’s right to rule, and how three incredible women shaped English royal history.
Sutton Hoo Warriors fought in the Byzantine Army, historian argues
The renowned Sutton Hoo burial site is famed for its opulent grave goods, but their origins remain a mystery. A newly published study in The English Historical Review presents a groundbreaking theory, offering “a startlingly new view of early Anglo-Saxon history.”
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.
Early Medieval Treasure Secured for English Museum
A rare piece of early medieval history has been secured for display in an English museum, thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign. The Anglo-Saxon gold and garnet pyramidal sword mount, dating back to the seventh century, will soon be part of The Novium Museum’s collection in Chichester, ensuring its preservation and accessibility to the public.
Medieval Saint Eanswythe’s Relics Returned to Rest in England
The relics of Saint Eanswythe, a 7th-century Anglo-Saxon princess and one of England’s earliest saints, have been returned to their original resting place in Folkestone. Hidden for centuries to escape destruction, her remains were rediscovered and studied, shedding new light on the life of this remarkable medieval figure.
Study Suggests Plague Reached Britain Earlier Than Thought
Medieval historians have often downplayed how the First Pandemic, also known as the Justinianic Plague, affected Britain. A new study is challenging this notion, and even suggests that the plague may have struck the British Isles at least twice.
New Medieval Books: Early English Queens, 850-1000
A look at queenship in early medieval England, this book focuses on three women: Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, Eadgifu of Wessex, and Ælfthryth, Queen of the English. It examines the nature and role of their authority when it came to ruling England.
New Medieval Books: On the Deeds of Gerald
This biography about the famous 13th-century writer Gerald of Wales was actually written by Gerald himself. Writing in the third-person, Gerald narrates his career in the Church, his efforts to become a bishop, and his time in the courts of the Kings of England.
Christianity before Conversion
How did people convert to Christianity in early medieval England? What happens if we prioritise archaeological and art historical sources?
A Date with the Two Cerne Giants: Results of the National Trust’s Excavation in 2020
The research has provided an accurate, scientifically verified date for the Cerne Giant. These unexpected results, together with the land-use history and ominous ‘disappearance’ of the Giant for six centuries, provide the platform for reconsideration and new discussion and debate … including some stunning discoveries.
Anglo-Saxon Discoveries Unearthed in England During Wind Farm Project
Archaeologists working on the Dogger Bank Wind Farm project in England have made remarkable early medieval discoveries, shedding new light on Anglo-Saxon life in the Holderness region. These findings, which emerged during the excavation of a 30km corridor for underground cables connecting the wind farm to onshore convertor stations near Beverley, provide crucial insight into the area’s history, particularly from the 5th to the 11th centuries.
Silver Linings: Money, Plague and Economic Change in 7th and 8th century England
There is less confidence about how and why this transformation came about especially in its early stages around the time of Bede and what this talk was consider is how and why these changes began when they did.
How Ancient and Medieval References Shape Hostile Online Political Debates
Political posts on social media that most frequently referenced ancient and early medieval history tended to be more extreme, hostile, and overwhelmingly negative in tone than average, finds a new study by researchers from University College London and the University of Edinburgh.
How Hercules Became Saint Eadwold
For centuries, the Cerne Giant, an enigmatic chalk figure towering 180 feet tall on an English hillside, has captivated imaginations with its imposing presence and mysterious origins. Was it a tribute to Hercules, Saint Eadwold, or a pagan deity misunderstood through time?
More Pieces from the Byzantine Bucket Found at Sutton Hoo
Missing pieces of a 6th-century Byzantine bucket have been uncovered at Sutton Hoo in Suffolk, England. The fragments were discovered following careful excavation and metal-detecting at the National Trust site as part of a a taping of the TV show Time Team.
