A New History of the Fourteenth Century with Helen Carr
The fourteenth-century is one of the most turbulent periods in European history. Famine, war, plague, royal depositions – you name it, this century’s got it. This week, Danièle speaks with Helen Carr about how England fared in these wild times, what her take is on some famous Plantagenets, and why we need to take a fresh look at this calamitous century.
New Medieval Books: Routledge Handbook of Medieval Military Strategy
This collection of 31 essays sheds light on the strategies and tactics of a wide range of medieval states and kingdoms. As a truly global history, it brings attention to subjects often overlooked by military historians.
The Voice of a Medieval Duchess: Matilda of Głogów and Her Charters
Matilda of Głogów’s charters reveal how a medieval duchess asserted authority, supported religious women, and invoked female saints to shape her rule in Silesia.
Æthelstan, First King of England with David Woodman
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with David Woodman about Æthelstan’s life, his rule, and his attempt to unite the kingdoms of Britain.
New Biography Revives the Reputation of Æthelstan, the First King of England
A new biography of Æthelstan, released to mark 1,100 years since his coronation in 925, seeks to restore the early medieval ruler’s reputation as the first king of England.
How Ancient Were the ‘Ancient’ Order of Assassins?
Discover the true origins of the medieval Assassins, from Hasan Sabbah’s capture of Alamut to the rise of a ruthless Ismaili state in Persia.
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 Wisdom for Modern Politics
Explore 20 pieces of political wisdom from Francesco Guicciardini, a medieval statesman whose sharp maxims on power, ambition, and human nature remain strikingly relevant today.
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: Frederick Barbarossa
This biography chronicles the life of Frederick Barbarossa, one of the most influential figures of the 12th century. As Holy Roman Emperor, his reign was marked by a relentless struggle for power across the German and Italian realms, as well as a pivotal role in the Crusades.
René of Anjou: The Medieval King Without a Kingdom
A royal with grand titles and no throne, René of Anjou left behind not an empire but a legacy of art, poetry, and grace.
New Medieval Books: Crescent Dawn
This book explores the political and military history of the Ottoman Empire, tracing its rise in the fourteenth century through to the latter half of the sixteenth. It offers detailed accounts of major battles and sieges, with a particular focus on conflicts against European powers.
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.
New Medieval Books: The Making of Medieval Central Europe
As the Poles, Czechs, and Hungarians established their medieval states, they became deeply entangled with the Holy Roman Empire and other Western European powers. This book explores the complex politics and state-building processes of Central Europe, a region marked by both cooperation and conflict.
The Medieval Church as a Military Power
Discover how the medieval Church emerged as a major military power, mobilizing secular armies, launching crusades, and creating unique warrior-monks through the military religious orders.
Were there Conspiracy Theories in the Middle Ages?
Did conspiracy theories exist in the Middle Ages? Exploring how medieval plots, suspicions, and scapegoating gave rise to early forms of conspiratorial thinking.
The Medieval Church as a Political Power
Discover how the medieval Church operated as a political power—ruling territories, collecting taxes, and challenging kings across Latin Christendom.
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.
Conspiracy Theories and the Deep State, Now and Then, with Winston Berg
Winston Berg is a political scientist who studies modern American conspiracy theories about politics and the deep state; his dissertation studied the movement known as QAnon. Given our political moment, I thought it would be interesting to discuss with him the different contours and valences that conspiracy theories and deep state notions took in the east Roman polity and in the United States.
The Medieval State: Kingdoms, Principalities, Communes, and Leagues Explained
The medieval world was politically diverse. From royal courts to self-governing cities and confederated leagues, power was expressed in many forms—often far from…
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.
Did Pisa and Denia Form an Alliance in the Eleventh Century?
New research suggests a long-lost partnership between a Christian city and a Muslim taifa reshaped Mediterranean politics before the Crusades.
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.