Beautiful medieval brooches discovered in England and Wales
Several spectacular medieval brooches have been recently discovered in England and Wales. They include finds from both the early and later Middle Ages.
Warming the Soul: The Forgotten Role of Handwarmers in Medieval Worship
In the realm of medieval liturgy, where sacred rituals and ceremonies unfolded in the hallowed halls of cathedrals and monasteries, a surprising yet practical element played a role in ensuring the comfort of clergy and worshippers alike: handwarmers.
The Gift of Narrative in Medieval England
This book places medieval narratives in dialogue with theories and practices of gift and gift exchange.
“Tempera in questa aqua”: Experimenting with Impact of Medieval Quenching Recipes on Steel Hardness
We used two medieval recipes–one from Caterina Sforza’s ca. 1490 recipe collection and one from the pseudo-Dohbringer German commonplace book — to prepare two different quenching liquids.
The Vegetable Saint
My talk today explores the relationship between the True Cross, its legendary history and the category of miraculous carved crucifixes made from trees growing in a German countryside in the 14th century.
New Medieval Books: A Cultural History of the Medieval Sword
A look at how later medieval society viewed swords as an important item and symbol. it was not just nobles and knights who wanted to wield this weapon; there were many others who held the sword in high regard, and wanted to carry it and be trained in how to use it.
Medieval Beds: Two Examples from 1488
What should a medieval bed look like? A contract from 1488 gives many details about two custom-made beds.
Medieval Toys
In honour of the new Barbie movie, Danièle talks about the games medieval children played, and the toys they played with.
10 Famous Swords of the Middle Ages
Perhaps no other item defines the Middle Ages as much as the sword. Here is our list of ten swords – real and fictional – which became famous during the Middle Ages.
Lead mining and lead pollution in the Roman world, with Paul Stephenson
A conversation with Paul Stephenson about the impact of lead mining and smelting on the miners themselves, the communities around them, and on plants, animals, and human beings across the Roman Empire. This is part of a broader and ongoing project on metallurgy and environmental violence.
Researchers discover what’s inside medieval pendant using neutrons
In 2008, a gold-plated pendant was discovered in Mainz, Germany. Researchers believed that the pendant was around 800 years old, and that something was hidden inside of it. However, trying to physically open it could damage the artifact. Therefore, they decided to scan the pendant with a neutron beam.
Would you rather have a Knight’s sword or a Horse figurine?
Two medieval items coming up for auction will probably be bought for a similar price. Which would you choose to have?
“I hold your faith, hold mine”: 14th-century ring could fetch £40,000 at auction
A medieval ring discovered by a metal detectorist in southwest England is set to go up for auction. It’s estimated that it will be sold for between £30,000-40,000.
Viking beadmakers’ secrets revealed in new study
The Viking Age bead makers were more advanced than previously believed. New research shows that craftsmen in Denmark around the year 700 used sophisticated and sustainable methods when they gave old Roman glass mosaics new life as glass beads.
Early medieval gold sword pommel comes to National Museums Scotland
National Museums Scotland has acquired an exceptionally rare gold sword pommel, created around 700 AD.
The enduring power of ancient statues in Constantinople, with Paroma Chatterjee
A conversation with Paroma Chatterjee on the power that ancient statues still had in Orthodox Constantinople. In many contexts, they were more prominent than icons. We talk about some of their functions, but also why Byzantine art history is so focused on icons, which were secluded objects, in comparison.
The Vikings’ self-image was influenced by the Roman period
In the Late Viking Age, a grave was built that looks very similar to one of the most spectacular graves of the Roman Age in Norway.
The Mongols and Silk
You’ve likely heard the claim that the Mongols wore silk shirts as protection against arrows; the idea being that silk winds up around an arrowhead and thus prevents penetration. There is, however, little historical basis to this claim.
Beating the heat: Handheld fans in medieval China
The handheld fan has been used as a means to keep cool since time immemorial. But in medieval China, this was just one of its many functions.
Unexpected delivery: Viking jewellery given to Norwegian museum
Archaeologists at the Museum of Archaeology at the University of Stavanger could hardly believe their eyes when dress accessories typical of a Viking Age woman was delivered to the museum. Now the archaeologists may have traced the origin of the jewellery.
Biocodicology and Birth Girdles with Sarah Fiddyment
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Dr. Sarah Fiddyment about a mind-blowingly simple way of collecting biological information from parchment, what it can tell us, and what it reveals about how a late medieval birth girdle was used.
Paradise Bejewelled: The Gems of Dante’s Divine Comedy
Dante’s writings reveal some hidden talents, such as his in-depth knowledge of gems.
Paper Past and Paper Future
The arrival of paper in medieval Europe also heralded an era of technological innovation and evolution. Drawing on extensive research in Cambridge collections and beyond, Orietta Da Rold will consider the significance of this material as a commodity and particularly as the stuff of which books are made. These lectures are about the stories that medieval paper can tell.
How to Guard Your Tang Dynasty Tomb
Let us delve into the surprisingly colorful and cute world of Tang dynasty ‘tomb guardians’.
Medieval Badges with Ann Marie Rasmussen
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Ann Marie Rasmussen about medieval badges, how they were made and used, and who was wearing them.