Before the Holy Grail: The Original Meaning of the Medieval ‘Graal’
Learn how the medieval graal began not as a holy cup but as an ordinary serving dish in the court of the Fisher King—revealing the surprising origins of the legendary Holy Grail.
The Medieval Frog: From Healing Charm to Cautionary Tale
In medieval Europe, frogs were both feared and useful — condemned as unclean yet valued in medical recipes and moral tales. A new study explores how this unlikely creature moved from the healer’s toolkit to the storyteller’s page, revealing the many roles of the medieval frog.
New Medieval Books: Boccaccio
An exploration of the life and career of Giovanni Boccaccio, one of Italy’s most celebrated writers. This book examines his family background and tumultuous professional path, revealing how his personal experiences shaped masterpieces such as The Decameron.
New Medieval Books: The Observations of Gilles le Bouvier
Written in the mid-15th century by a French diplomat, this newly translated report offers more than just a glimpse of Europe’s lands and regions. Part travel guide and part survey, it provides a concise yet vivid look at the peoples and states of the medieval world.
Medieval Wolves with Elizabeth Marshall
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Elizabeth Marshall about where we find wolves in medieval sources, how early English writers saw them, and how wolves both add to – and steal – language.
New Medieval Books: New Stories Told while Trimming the Wick
This collection of 22 short stories from the early Ming Dynasty holds the distinction of being the first work of fiction ever banned in China. Fortunately, these tales—ranging from tender romances to eerie encounters with the supernatural—have survived for us to enjoy today.
A Medieval Book Lover Explains Why We Love Books
Discover why a medieval bishop loved books—Richard de Bury’s Philobiblon reveals timeless wisdom and passion for preserving knowledge.
Sana’i’s Sharp-Tongued Portrait of 12th-Century Ghaznavid Society
Discover how the Persian poet Sana’i captured the splendour and scandals of the Ghaznavid Empire. His verses celebrate kings and mystics yet mercilessly lampoon scholars, courtiers, and even the city itself.
20 Medieval Riddles: Can You Solve Them All?
Take our quiz of 20 medieval riddles by the monk Claret and test your wits against these centuries-old puzzles.
15 Sayings of Medieval Steppe Warriors
Discover 15 medieval sayings from the Book of Dede Korkut, capturing the wisdom, honour, and values of nomadic steppe warriors.
Medieval Goddesses of the Moon: Chang’e and Diana
Explore how medieval writers and artists depicted the moon goddesses Chang’e and Diana, revealing their beauty, power, loneliness, and lasting influence in literature, art, and legend.
Sir Gowther: The Demon Knight
Discover the medieval tale of Sir Gowther — a knight born of demonic origins whose violent youth gives way to a powerful story of repentance and redemption.
New Medieval Books: Black Knights
Medieval Arabic literature frequently included Black African characters, offering valuable insight into contemporary ideas about race and race relations. This book examines those sources to uncover how such concepts developed in the Middle Ages and how they have continued to influence perceptions of race up to the present day.
Medieval Love Letters with Ad Putter and Myra Stokes
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Myra Stokes and Ad Putter about where we find love letters, and the way people wrote and sent them, along with a couple of spicy – and hilarious – examples.
Twelve Medieval Types of Drunk, According to Oswald von Wolkenstein
Medieval poet Oswald von Wolkenstein knew his way around a wine jug—and the many personalities it could unleash. In one lively poem, he catalogued twelve all-too-recognisable types of drunk, from the swaggering braggart to the repentant sinner.
Medieval Rednecks: How Rustici Became the Butt of the Joke
From crude punchlines to the ‘medieval mullet,’ discover how peasants—known as rustici—became the butt of jokes in medieval Europe.
The Pirate’s Daughter: A Story of Compassion from a Medieval Bestseller
A tale from the medieval Gesta Romanorum tells of a pirate’s daughter who frees a prisoner and faces a moral trial. Her bold defense reveals a deeper lesson about compassion, loyalty, and justice.
New Medieval Books: Huon d’Auvergne
This book presents an edition and translation of a 14th-century epic poem that takes readers on a journey to hell—literally. Spanning over 12,000 lines, the narrative is rich with fantastical twists and unexpected encounters, including appearances by Charles Martel and the legendary Prester John.
Chaucer’s Wade Uncovered: A Medieval Romance, Not a Monster Tale
Scholars have solved a 130-year-old medieval literary mystery, revealing that the lost Song of Wade—referenced by Chaucer—was a chivalric romance, not a monster tale.
The Medieval Sleeping Beauty
Perceforest: a medieval tale with a sleeping princess.
Can You Solve These Medieval Riddles?
Test your wit with 10 medieval riddles by Saint Aldhelm, a 7th-century English bishop and poet. Can you solve these ancient brainteasers?
The Sword in the Stone and Other Legendary Blades of the Middle Ages
Explore medieval swords like Excalibur, Joyeuse, and Durendal, where legend, miracle, and history meet in tales of power and mystery.
The Copper Guardian: A Medieval Tale of Treasure Hunters and Curses
In a tale preserved from the 10th century, a man from Cairo sets out in search of treasure hidden deep in the mountains.…
Swim in the Sea Yourself: Twelfth-Century Insights on Experiential Learning
Discover how the 12th-century philosophical tale Hayy Ibn Yaqzan by Ibn Tufayl explores self-guided learning, critical thinking, and the power of experience—insights still relevant in modern education
