Lost Medieval Painting Rediscovered at Hexham Abbey
Hexham Abbey in northern England has unveiled a lost medieval painting, thought to be part of the Dance of Death, using advanced imaging technology.
Robert DeVere, Royal Favourite with James Ross
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with James Ross about the life of Robert de Vere – the infamous bff of King Richard II – his impact on the kingdom, and why it’s always worth taking a second look at the facts.
Medieval Buildings Revealed by Summer Drought in England
In England, this year’s drought has uncovered medieval remains at Fountains Abbey and Mottisfont, where parchmarks reveal the outlines of vanished monastic halls and cloisters.
Norwich Castle Reopens as “The People’s Palace”
Norwich Castle has reopened after a £27.5 million transformation, offering full access from basement to battlements, immersive medieval rooms, and a new British Museum gallery of 900 artefacts.
Five Game-Changers in Medieval English Castle-Building
Here are five changes in English castle design that had a big impact on history.
Early Medieval Settlement Unearthed in Northern England
Archaeologists have uncovered an early medieval settlement in Northumberland, England, dating to the 6th–7th and 11th–12th centuries, revealing rare insights into daily life in medieval Europe.
New Medieval Books: Henry III: Reform, Rebellion, Civil War, Settlement, 1258-1272
The second volume in the monumental biography of Henry III, it tells the story of how the English king faced growing discontent, leading to a rebellion that almost ended his long reign.
New Medieval Books: The Warhorse in England
Horses played a vital role in medieval warfare, and this book draws on the governmental records of Kings Edward I and Edward II to reveal how these animals were raised, trained for combat, and managed during military campaigns.
Wars of the Roses Battle May Not Have Been a Battle at All, Historians Find
New research challenges the traditional story of the Battle of Wakefield, suggesting it may not have been a battle at all—but an ambush and murder of Yorkist leaders during the Wars of the Roses.
Major Excavation at Tower of London Reveals Medieval Burials and Chapel History
A major excavation at the Tower of London is uncovering rare medieval burials, artifacts, and evidence of earlier chapels beneath St Peter ad Vincula, offering new insights into the fortress’s hidden past.
New Medieval Books: Lionessheart
The daughter of King Henry II of England and Eleanor of Aquitaine, Joanna of England lived a life deeply entangled in the turbulent politics of the Angevin Empire.
Medieval Church in England Takes First Step Toward Restoration
A 14th-century church in Thetford, England, is set to be restored after decades of neglect, with plans to transform the medieval building into a community space.
New Medieval Books: Annals of Margam
This book presents a translation of the annals compiled at Margam Abbey in southern Wales, covering the years 1066 to 1231. While primarily focused on English and Welsh events, it also includes some material on broader international affairs.
Strategic Rivals: How England and France Waged War in the High Middle Ages
How medieval kings like William the Conqueror, Henry II, and Philip II used strategy, diplomacy, and finance to wage war and build power across England and France.
Medieval Hospital Unearthed Beneath Sinkhole in York
A recent sinkhole in the centre of York has led to the discovery of what archaeologists believe are the remains of one of the largest medieval hospitals in northern England.
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.
Medieval London Murder Solved: Priest Killed by Noblewoman’s Orders
A priest murdered in 14th-century London. A noblewoman’s vendetta. Cambridge’s Medieval Murder Maps reveals a tangled tale of adultery, public penance, and revenge near St Paul’s Cathedral.
New Medieval Books: Laywomen and the Crusade in England, 1150-1300
The Crusades enjoyed widespread support in Western Europe, and efforts on the home front were focused on mobilizing fighters for the Holy Land. This book explores the role of women in England in encouraging men to take up the Cross.
Saint Thomas Becket with Michael Staunton
This week, Danièle speaks with Michael Staunton about Thomas’ rapid rise to the highest positions in England, his epic feud with Henry II – including what part Henry might have played in Thomas’ martyrdom – and the aftermath of the infamous murder in the cathedral.
Last Man Standing: Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, Prince of Powys
C.I. Leah previews his new book that examines the complex legacy of Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, the Welsh prince who aligned with England to preserve his power. Was he a traitor—or the last man standing in a fractured medieval Wales?
Philip Augustus vs. the Kings of England: A Medieval Power Struggle
Discover how Philip Augustus of France outmanoeuvred four English kings through diplomacy, war, and strategic alliances—reshaping medieval Europe in one of its most pivotal power struggles.
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.
New Medieval Books: Annals of Winchester
Covering the years 519 to 1277, this chronicle provides an account of events in England throughout much of the Middle Ages. It includes both the 19th-century Latin edition and an English translation
Medieval England’s Road Network Mapped Using the Gough Map
A new study uses the Gough Map to reconstruct medieval England’s road network, revealing how Roman routes shaped travel for centuries.
New Medieval Books: Robert de Vere, Earl of Oxford and Duke of Ireland (1362-1392)
This biography re-examines the life of Robert de Vere, the English nobleman best known as a childhood friend of Richard II. It investigates whether he truly deserved the reputation of a shameless sycophant that medieval chroniclers gave him.