British Museum raises £3.5 million to purchase Tudor Heart Pendant
The British Museum has secured the £3.5 million needed to acquire the Tudor Heart Pendant for its permanent collection, ensuring the rare 24-carat-gold jewel linked to King Henry VIII and his first wife Katherine of Aragon will remain on public display.
A Medieval Bronze Cross Reunites with Its Lost Mould After 40 Years
An extraordinary archaeological discovery in eastern Germany has reunited a medieval bronze cross with the mould used to cast it—more than four decades after the mould itself was found.
New Medieval Books: The Horse in History
This collection of 11 essays focuses on the equipment used by people with their horses—from saddles to spurs—while honouring the scholarship of John Clark. Its chapters range widely in time and place, exploring not only gear but also training, folklore, and the meanings attached to horses.
Early Medieval Glass Study Rewrites Venice’s Origins as a Glassmaking Hub
New study of 6th–9th-century glass from Venice shows early use of Syro-Levantine plant-ash glass, recycling of older materials, and wide Mediterranean trade connections.
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.
Cartier and the Lost Crusader Sword
Louis J. Cartier discovered a medieval sword pommel in a Damascus bazaar in the 1920s—an artefact later identified as belonging to crusader Peter of Dreux. Now at The Met, the object offers a rare, personal link to the Seventh Crusade and its leading French nobles.
What Can Cards Teach Us? Connecting Truco, Tarot, and Lotería
Explore how playing cards evolved from medieval Mamluk designs to modern games and divination tools.
Medieval Artefacts Discovered in Canadian Thrift Shop
Medieval rings and medallions sold for just $30 at a Canadian thrift shop are now at Simon Fraser University, where experts and students will investigate their origins and mysteries.
Why Did the Medieval Irish Bury Butter?
Why did the medieval Irish bury butter in peat bogs? Discover the surprising reasons behind bog butter, from preservation and protection to ritual offerings and curious modern finds.
The Medieval Chinese Origins of Venice’s Winged Lion Revealed
Venice’s most famous symbol may not be Venetian at all. A new study reveals that the Winged Lion of St. Mark began life in Tang Dynasty China before being transformed into the emblem of the medieval Republic.
Viking Hairstyles Uncovered in a Medieval Gaming Piece
A Viking Age figurine from Denmark reveals rare details of elite hairstyles and grooming, offering a unique three-dimensional portrait of Viking fashion from over 1,000 years ago.
New Medieval Books: Images of Thomas Becket in the Middle Ages and Beyond
When Thomas Becket was murdered in 1170, he was instantly transformed into one of the most prominent figures in medieval Christianity. His image spread widely across Europe, appearing in manuscripts, sculptures, stained glass windows, and other forms of material culture. This book brings together 11 essays that explore how Becket was represented, remembered, and venerated through these visual and physical media.
Earrings and Infamy: The Male Ear in the Medieval Imagination
Explore how male earrings were viewed in the Middle Ages—from symbols of infamy and foreignness to fashionable adornments—through art, religion, and cultural transformation.
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.
De Valette’s Sword and Hat: New Evidence
A new study sheds light on the authenticity of Grand Master Jean de Valette’s sword and hat, revealing early written evidence and centuries of historical references to these iconic relics of the Great Siege of Malta.
The Iron Maiden Never Existed – But Louis XI’s Medieval Prison Reforms Did
One of the most infamous images of medieval cruelty—the Iron Maiden—was never used in the Middle Ages. But a real reform by King Louis XI of France, the ‘fillettes,’ tells a different story about medieval justice.
Can We Build a Forest from It or Not? Investigating the Relics of the True Cross
Did the relics of the True Cross really add up to a whole forest? This article explores medieval claims, 12th-century letters, and the ongoing debate over the authenticity of Christianity’s most famous relic.
Medieval Cup Could Fetch $5 Million at Auction
A rare 11th–12th century Kiddush cup from medieval Khorasan—inscribed in Hebrew and Arabic—will be auctioned by Sotheby’s with an estimate of $3–5 million.
Medieval Bishop’s Ring Discovered in England Heads to Auction
A rare medieval bishop’s ring, dating from the late 12th or early 13th century, is set to be auctioned at Noonans Mayfair on March 26, 2025. Discovered in the village of Shipdham, located in Norfolk, eastern England, the gold ring, adorned with its original gemstones, is expected to fetch between £15,000 and £18,000.
Rare Medieval Scroll Discovered
A rare medieval scroll has been uncovered in the archives of Bar Convent in York, England, revealing new insights into devotional practices.
What Things Were Worth in the Middle Ages
Discover how medieval societies defined worth—not just in gold and wages, but through symbolic treasures, priceless gifts, and the stories objects carried.
The Myth of the Medieval Flail: Separating Fact from Fiction
The flail, with its chain and spiked ball, is an iconic image of medieval weaponry in the collective imagination. However, its actual use on medieval battlefields is highly contested
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.”
What Your Birthstone Meant in the Middle Ages
Most of us today are probably familiar with the concept of birthstones—precious gems associated with each month, like a petrological Zodiac. It turns out birthstones are more or less an invention of modern jewelry manufacturers, whose meanings all boil down to “Buy this ring.” But this is boring. So I thought, why not make birthstones mean something today by looking at their superpowers according to the Middle Ages?
