King Arthur’s Lovers
Arthur himself is not quite so chaste and honourable as popular culture tends to imagine. He too takes several lovers, and he acts rather terribly in his affairs.
Did Medieval People Believe in Fairies?
Today fairies are typically relegated to the realm of children’s stories or superstitions, but in the Middle Ages, some individuals believed that fairies were real and that they had the power to impact human lives in material ways.
The Wicked Grandmas of Medieval Literature
Grandmothers today tend to be understood as kindly and caring, but in the Middle Ages, some of the evilest characters of the literary world were the grandmothers.
A Few Ways Medieval Christianity Anticipated the Reformation
While the shift was monumental in many ways, some of the reforms Henry VIII made were actually anticipated in medieval Christianity.
Women Writers in Medieval England
Many today assume that women were uneducated and unlettered in the Middle Ages. An overview of just a few of the female writers from medieval England shows otherwise.
Medieval Omens
Omens were a staple of medieval superstition and a great reflection of medieval folk beliefs.
Medieval Advice for Pregnant Women
The wonderful and bizarre pieces of advice offered to pregnant women by a group of medieval peasant women.
Holiday Gifts in the Middle Ages
Christmas in the Middle Ages looked quite different than it does today, but gifts still played a role. Read on to find out what gift-giving looked like during the holidays in the Middle Ages.
The Destruction of Medieval Manuscripts
Thousands of medieval manuscripts have been destroyed across history: here are some of the reasons why.
The Magical Kings of Medieval England
While magic and historical figures seem like polar opposites to many today, in the Middle Ages, they were frequently connected. Medieval historical records even contain several accounts of former kings who used magic in their reigns: one king magically constructed hot baths, while the other used magic to build a bridge over the English Channel.
Ghosts in Medieval Literature
Looking to get into the Halloween spirit? Check out a few of the ghosts that the medieval literary world has to offer.
Everyday Magic in the Middle Ages
In the Middle Ages magic was an accepted and common part of many people’s lives.
Minding your Manners in the Middle Ages
Did medieval parents care about manners?
Children’s Literature in the Middle Ages: What did medieval children read?
What did children in the Middle Ages read? Was there even such a thing as medieval children’s literature?
What are Merlin’s Prophecies?
A look at Merlin and his prophecies, which anticipated many of the events that would happen over the course of England’s history.
Piers Plowman and the Great Uprising of 1381
The Great Uprising of 1381 saw a group of dissatisfied peasants and their supporters march on London with demands that the king abolish serfdom and a new poll tax. The revolt remains one of the most widespread insurrections in English history, and it was inspired, in part, by the famous medieval poem Piers Plowman.
A Medieval Guide to Avoiding the Next Pandemic
One example from medieval England told readers all they needed to know to avoid getting sick during the next pandemic.
Witch Hunts in Medieval England: The Trial of Walter Langton
In 1301 Walter Langton, Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield, was accused of using sorcery to acquire a large fortune and gain the favour of the king. His lengthy and inconclusive trial shows that accusations of witchcraft made at this time were often motivated by politics rather than fear
The Original King Lear
Most people today know the story of King Lear from Shakespeare’s tragic play. But the original story actually comes from the medieval period, and it actually has a very happy ending.
Pagan Survivals in Medieval Holiday Celebrations
Many of the most signature parts of Christmas in the Middle Ages (and today) actually come from pagan rather than Christian traditions. So, if you want to find out how you can make your Christmas and end of year celebrations just a little bit more pagan, read on!
Telling Stories, Saving Lives: The Sultana Who Saved a Kingdom through her Stories
Scheherazade, the heroine of The Tales of the 1001 Nights, saved her world through stories.
What Happened to the Corpses on the Medieval Battlefield?
Medieval literature often depicts knights slaughtering their foes in brutal battles. The focus is usually on the glory of the knights and of the battle. But what happened to the bodies after the battle was done?
The Story of Merlin and the Demons who made him
In the medieval tradition, Merlin was created by demons to bring about the downfall of Christianity.
The Medieval Cinderella
It takes place within a community of rural “cave-dwellers,” features magical fish bones, presents a prince who is both violent and greedy, and stars a heroine who is much more disobedient and ambitious than the European version.