New Medieval Books: The Crown of Thorns
Among the most striking images of Jesus Christ is his mock coronation with the Crown of Thorns. But what if this was never a crown of thorns at all? This book explores the origins of the symbol, its transformation across centuries, and the ways medieval kings appropriated the imagery for their own authority.
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.
Ten Medieval Kings Who Died While Hunting
Discover ten medieval kings who met their end while hunting, from fatal falls to arrows gone astray, revealing the deadly risks of royal sport.
René of Anjou: The Medieval King Without a Kingdom
A royal with grand titles and no throne, René of Anjou left behind not an empire but a legacy of art, poetry, and grace.
The Daily Life of a Medieval King
Have you wondered what a medieval king did on a typical day? Thanks to Christine de Pizan, we have an account of what daily life was like for King Charles V of France.
The Mythological Ancestry of England’s Medieval Kings
What do a pagan war god and a serpent-tailed fairy have in common? Both were claimed as ancestors by England’s medieval kings, who used myth and legend to elevate their status and reinforce their right to rule.
What if a Nightmare Foretold Your Death? The Strange Final Days of William Rufus
After a terrifying dream warns him of his sins, King William Rufus vows to change—only to be killed the next day in a mysterious hunting accident. A 12th-century poet tells the chilling tale.
Medieval Justice in the Modern Day: The Pardon
If there seems to be something almost medieval about President Biden pardoning his wayward son Hunter, or Donald Trump promising to pardon the January 6 rioters, well… that’s because that particular prerogative originates with medieval kings.
Power, Politics, and Thrones: The Unwritten Rules of Medieval Royal Succession
In the complex world of medieval Europe, royal succession was governed by a blend of tradition, power struggles, and divine favor. Understanding these unwritten rules reveals how kings and queens rose to power, often through a delicate balance of lineage, acclaim, and strategic alliances.
New Medieval Books: Dynasty in Motion
A look at royal weddings in the 15th and 16th centuries, focusing on the travel that took place before getting to the ceremony.
New Medieval Books: How Medieval Europe was Ruled
This collection of 15 essays examines how governments operated in the Middle Ages. Covering a wide number of places throughout Europe, it aims to show the various kinds of rulership within it.
The Daily Life of a Medieval King
Have you wondered what a medieval king did on a typical day? Thanks to Christine de Pizan, we have an account of what daily life was like for King Charles V of France.
”Taken into the king’s hands”: Prisoners of War and English Kings
Let us begin with a tale of two kings, both of whom were taken prisoner in battle. They were both Scottish kings, taken in attempts to invade England. While the accounts of their capture are interesting in themselves, this article is more interested in what happened after they were captured.
From reformed barbarian to “saint-king”: literary portrayals of King Malcolm III Canmore (r. 1058-93) in Scottish historical narratives, c. 1100- 1449
It examines how King Malcolm went from being considered a barbaric king of Scots reformed by the influence of his second wife, Saint Margaret of Scotland (d. 1093), to the Scottish prince exiled in England by Macbeth (r. 1040-1057/8).
Stefan Nemanja: A Case Of Sacral Kingship
This PhD thesis investigates how the successors to the first ruler of an amalgamation of Serb lands, the Raškan Serb Veliki Župan, Stefan Nemanja, sought to create legitimacy for what otherwise may have been the passing successes of one local chieftain.
After Soissons: The Last Years of Charles the Simple (923-929)
In August 923, Charles the Simple was imprisoned by Count Heribert II of Vermandois, spending the rest of his life in prison. The six years between his imprisonment and his death, however, have never been the focus of a sustained study.
The Medieval Magazine No. 99 (Volume 3, No. 16) : The Anniversary Issue!
The Anniversary Issue! Medievalists.net turns 9 this September! This issue will celebrate our favourite things about the Middle Ages from travel, to art, fashion, books and events.
10 Medieval Royal Parents Whose Decisions Influence the Lives of Royal Children Today
From royal baby names to marrying for love – how five medieval English couples influence the lives of royal children today.
The Role Of Ritual And Ceremonial In The Reign Of Edward I
The following paper will explore occasions of ceremony and ritual linked to King Edward I as an arbiter of royal power, as well as consider the means by which he utilized the influence of his position and the majesty of the monarchy to affirm and reinforce his extensive authority.
The Measure of a King: Forging English Royal Reputations, 1066-1272
The good, the bad, the inept, the brave and the foolish – English historiography is peppered with remarkable kings whose reputations cling to them despite the best efforts of historians. Yet what is it that makes a king?
The Emergence of “Regnal” Sovereignty at the Turn of the Fourteenth Century
By Andrew Latham Introduction As the 13th century ended, two basic models of sovereignty – understood as the supreme authority to command, legislate…
Royalit: What Did Medieval Kings Read?
We know that medieval kings and queens did read. The question of the day is: what did they read?
The Life of Lady Katherine Gordon
This week, Susan Abernethy brings us an article on Lady Katherine Gordon.
