Burghal Hidage and Assault Forces in Medieval Siege Warfare
How large did an army need to be to successfully storm a fortified town in the early Middle Ages? David Bachrach uses the Burghal Hidage to uncover what this remarkable document reveals about the scale of assault forces and the realities of medieval siege warfare.
Medieval “Giant” with Trepanned Skull Discovered in Mass Grave
A medieval mass grave discovered near Cambridge may be linked to conflict on the frontier between English and Viking kingdoms. Among the dead is an exceptionally tall young man who survived trepanation, an ancient procedure in which a hole was cut into the skull.
Medieval Gold Discovery Goes on Display in Newcastle
A rare medieval gold object found by a Newcastle University student in Northumberland will go on display in a new treasures exhibition at the Great North Museum: Hancock
Who Lies in Winchester’s Medieval Mortuary Chests?
Researchers at Winchester Cathedral are using DNA, radiocarbon dating, and osteology to uncover the identities of medieval kings and bishops buried in its mortuary chests.
Did King Harold Sail to Hastings? New Study Sparks Debate Among Historians
A new study argues that King Harold sailed south in 1066 rather than marching to Hastings, but the theory is already drawing criticism from historians.
Leoba: England’s Earliest Female Poet
In the eighth century, an English nun named Leoba composed a short Latin poem that has quietly survived for more than a millennium. Though brief, the verse offers valuable insight into the education, literary culture, and spiritual ambitions of women in the early medieval Church.
The Survival of Roman Education in Early Medieval Britain
Roman rule ended in 410, but Latin education did not. Nicholas J. Higham explores elite learning and literary culture in post-Roman Britain.
Music for a Medieval Coronation: Edward the Confessor at Winchester
What music accompanied Edward the Confessor’s coronation in 1043? Explore the procession, ceremony, and the Winchester Troper’s possible links to the chants and polyphony heard at Winchester Cathedral.
Did Alfred the Great send an embassy from England to India?
A new study is taking a fresh look at one of the most surprising lines in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle—the claim that, in the 880s, King Alfred the Great sent two men on a mission to India.
Medieval hall discovered in Northern England
Archaeologists working near Skipsea Castle in northern England say a cluster of rare discoveries is reshaping what we know about power, industry, and high-status life in the centuries before the Norman Conquest.
‘Princely’ Early Medieval Burial Discovered in England
Archaeologists in Suffolk, England, have uncovered a nationally significant early medieval burial ground, including a “princely” grave with two individuals, a harnessed horse, weapons, and personal items dating to the 7th century.
Is the Staffordshire Hoard ‘Mystery Object’ a Holy Warrior’s Headpiece?
New research suggests the Staffordshire Hoard’s mysterious object may be a ceremonial headpiece worn by a priest or holy warrior in early medieval England.
Winchester Cathedral Reburies Medieval Remains Linked to Royals and Bishops
Winchester Cathedral is reinterring remains from its famous mortuary chests after more than a decade of scientific analysis, with new findings on early medieval royals and bishops expected in 2026.
Early Medieval England Saw Continuous Migration, Study Finds
A major bioarchaeological study combining tooth-enamel isotopes and ancient DNA finds migration into early medieval England was continuous from AD 400–1100, with regional and gendered patterns and evidence shaped by climate shifts.
National Trust launches Cerne Abbas Giant land appeal
The National Trust has launched a public appeal to raise £330,000 to help fund the purchase and long-term care of 138 hectares (340 acres) of land surrounding the Cerne Abbas Giant in England—an iconic chalk figure that dates to the Early Middle Ages.
Medieval Mystery of Brunanburh Battle May Be Solved, New Study Argues
A long-running debate over the location of one of the most important battles fought in medieval England may finally be nearing an answer. A new study argues that the Battle of Brunanburh, fought in 937, took place at Bromborough on the Wirral, bringing fresh clarity to a question that has occupied historians for more than a century.
Archaeologists Discover Medieval Village in England
Excavations in eastern England have revealed an early medieval village near Friston, medieval kiln sites on the coast, and rare prehistoric artefacts, offering new insight into East Anglia’s long-settled landscape.
The Men Who Fought with King Harold at Hastings
When Harold Godwinson marched to Hastings on 14 October 1066 he brought with him thousands of men. Who were these warriors and why did they fight on behalf of their king?
New Medieval Books: The Birth of the Anglo-Saxons
This book explores the rise of the Kingdom of Mercia, focusing on the reigns of Æthelbald (716–757) and Offa (757–796). It shows how Mercia became a dominant power in early medieval Britain, laying crucial foundations for the emergence of England.
Æthelstan, First King of England with David Woodman
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with David Woodman about Æthelstan’s life, his rule, and his attempt to unite the kingdoms of Britain.
New Biography Revives the Reputation of Æthelstan, the First King of England
A new biography of Æthelstan, released to mark 1,100 years since his coronation in 925, seeks to restore the early medieval ruler’s reputation as the first king of England.
Viking-Age Galloway Hoard Exhibition Opens in Australia
See the Galloway Hoard in Australia: over 100 Viking-age objects from Scotland, including gold, silver, and textiles, are now on display at Melbourne Museum.
The Age of Bede: How a Monk Shaped Early Medieval England
Discover how the Venerable Bede, a Northumbrian monk, shaped the history of early medieval England through his Ecclesiastical History and lasting influence.
West African Roots Found in Seventh-Century England, DNA Studies Shows
Archaeologists have analysed the DNA of two unrelated individuals buried in seventh-century cemeteries on England’s south coast, revealing that both had recent ancestors—likely…