Reading Recommendations for a Marvellous Medieval Summer
In preparation for summer reading, Natalie Anderson shares some of her favourite works of medieval historical fiction.
A Diet of Tournaments: Maximilian at Worms, 1495
In 1495, during the political negotiations surrounding the imperial diet in Worms, Maximilian I still found time to compete against a famous Burgundian knight in a tournament that was to reach legendary proportions.
The Romance of the Past? Nineteenth-Century Medievalism and the Tournament
The nineteenth century saw a rebirth of fascination with the Middle Ages, although this interest often had more to do with romance than reality. A perfect medium for the expression of this nineteenth-century medievalism was the tournament.
The Women around an Emperor: Anne of Brittany
In the fifth in a series of features exploring the early modern women whose lives intersected in some way with that of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, Natalie Anderson examines the life of Anne of Brittany.
A Grand Gesture: Henry VIII and the Westminster Tournament
In February, 1511, Henry VIII held a large and lavish tournament at Westminster to honour his wife, Katherine of Aragon, and his newborn son. Natalie Anderson takes a look at this romantic gesture and how it was memorialised.
The Women around an Emperor: Eleanor of Portugal
In the fourth in a series of features exploring the early modern women whose lives intersected in some way with that of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, Natalie Anderson examines the life of Eleanor of Portugal.
The Women around an Emperor: Margaret of Austria
In the third in a series of features exploring the early modern women whose lives intersected in some way with that of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, Natalie Anderson examines the life of Margaret of Austria.
The Women around an Emperor: Bianca Maria Sforza
In the second in a series of features exploring the early modern women whose lives intersected in some way with that of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, Natalie Anderson examines the life of Bianca Maria Sforza.
The Women around an Emperor: Mary of Burgundy
In the first in a series of features exploring the early modern women whose lives intersected in some way with that of Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, Natalie Anderson examines the life of Mary of Burgundy.
Not All Fun and Games: The Dangers of the Medieval Tournament
The tournament, with all its elements of theatre and spectacle, was the ideal showground for martial skill, chivalric values, and medieval masculinity. But, behind the glamour, was a dangerous sport that often involved life or death circumstances.
New Year, New You: Early Modern Style
While many people may be making new year’s resolutions to get fitter in 2018, Natalie Anderson takes a look at the early modern obsession with achieving the same goal hundreds of years ago.
The Best Medieval Film: The Case for A Knight’s Tale
Making a medieval movie is a difficult task. Natalie Anderson discusses why, in her opinion, one of the best films set during the Middle Ages is 2001’s A Knight’s Tale.
A Royal Gift Exchange
Natalie Anderson explores the gifts exchanged between two powerful medieval monarchs: King Henry VIII of England and Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I.
The Lives of Black Tudors: An Interview with Miranda Kaufmann
Miranda Kaufmann talks about her new book, Black Tudors, which explores the place of Africans in Tudor and Stuart English society.
Sean Cunningham Discusses the Legacy of Arthur Tudor
In a lecture at Bangor University on 2 November 2017, Sean Cunningham talked about the brief but influential life of Arthur Tudor, older brother of Henry VIII and the man who should have been king.
What Comes After Halloween?: Celebrating All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day
This time of year, it’s normally Halloween, that sugar-filled Bacchanalia, that gets all the attention. But what about its lesser-known follow-ups, All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day?
The Modern World of a Medieval Sport
You might think that jousting went extinct after the Middle Ages, but it in fact enjoys a strong modern following.
An Interactive Look at a Printed Masterpiece
Thanks to the British Museum, you can get an up close and personal look at one of the most elaborate prints ever produced.
Topping Off a Tournament
In the tournament, a crest was an unusual and eye-catching piece of a knight’s equipment.