New Medieval Books: The Eagle and The Hart
A rivalry between two cousins shaped the course of English history—King Richard II and his eventual usurper, King Henry IV. This double-biography delves into their tumultuous relationship, exploring the dramatic events that led to the overthrow of a medieval monarch and the rise of a new king.
Henry V with Dan Jones – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 261
Last week, we looked at the story of Richard II and Henry IV, and the way these two cousins wielded the power of the English crown. This week on The Medieval Podcast, we round out the cycle that makes up the Hollow Crown by looking at Henry V, a man who many – including this week’s guest, Dan Jones – have called England’s greatest warrior king.
The Eagle and the Hart with Helen Castor – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 260
Richard II came to the throne as a young child, only to lose it to his cousin Henry IV in 1399. But why did Henry take such drastic action? And what became of the teenage boy who stood up to a crowd of angry peasants and held his own? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Helen Castor about these rival cousins, the events that shaped them, and how an anointed king could lose his hollow crown.
William de Mandeville: The King’s Confidant and Cross-Channel Power Broker
William de Mandeville was more than just an ambitious noble; he was a trusted confidant, skilled diplomat, and key player in the turbulent court of Henry II. His rise to power through loyalty, military prowess, and strategic alliances shaped the cross-Channel politics of medieval England and beyond.
What Medieval Kingdoms Really Called Themselves
Medieval kingdoms and empires often went by names very different from the ones we use today. These original names reveal how people of the time viewed their realms and the world around them.
New Medieval Books: A Shattered Realm
This independently published book offers translations of several key sources from 14th and early 15th century Japan, shedding light on the fierce political struggles of the era. Many of these documents are being made available in English for the first time.
Political Advice from a Medieval Statesman
How should one govern a state? For answers, we can turn to the wisdom of Gino di Neri Capponi, a 15th-century statesman whose advice on politics and governance remains surprisingly relevant. Written nearly 600 years ago, Capponi’s insights continue to offer valuable lessons for both modern leaders and individuals alike.
The Travels of Manuel II Palaiologos, Emperor of the Romans
The story of Manuel II Palaiologos, whose travels would take him to Paris and London, and his efforts to protect his empire.
New Medieval Books: Introduction to the Carolingian Age
Serving as ‘an invitation to the study of Carolingian civilization,’ this book examines the political and societal changes that took place in Western Europe in the 8th and 9th centuries. It is mostly a guide to how this empire came about, the family that ruled it, and its quick end.
How Robert the Bruce Secured the Scottish Throne
Discover how Robert the Bruce transformed his victory at Bannockburn into lasting dominance over Scotland. Learn how strategic alliances, land redistribution, and continued warfare helped him secure the Scottish throne and solidify his dynasty’s future.
Forging a Kingdom in the 11th century with Simon Doubleday – The Medieval Podcast, Episode 256
In the eleventh-century, Iberia was in the process of evolving networks of tiny villages into the powerful kingdoms we recognize from the end of the medieval period – sometimes by any means necessary. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Simon Doubleday about the ways in which Queen Sancha and King Fernando I shaped northern Spain and Portugal.
New Medieval Books: House of Lilies
The Capetian Dynasty ruled France from 987 to 1328, shaping not only their nation’s history but also leaving a lasting impact across Europe and beyond. This is the story of their rise, reign, and enduring legacy.
Power, Politics, and Thrones: The Unwritten Rules of Medieval Royal Succession
In the complex world of medieval Europe, royal succession was governed by a blend of tradition, power struggles, and divine favor. Understanding these unwritten rules reveals how kings and queens rose to power, often through a delicate balance of lineage, acclaim, and strategic alliances.
New Medieval Books: The Memoirs of Shah Tahmasp I
This is an account written by a 16th-century ruler where he describes many events and wars of his reign. It aims to both justify his decisions and offer advice to his descendants on how to rule.
Betrayal at the Banquet: A Forgotten Afghan Tragedy
Have you ever heard of a banquet ending in massacre? Dive into the forgotten story of betrayal and revenge that unfolded centuries ago in medieval Afghanistan.
Deadly Medieval Assassinations: Top 10 Historic Murders of the Middle Ages
Discover ten of the most dramatic and influential medieval assassinations that reshaped the political landscape of Europe and the Near East.
Murder and Political Drama in Medieval Syria and Egypt
The Crusaders were tough – but they had no monopoly on political violence. Murders within Muslim hierarchies were relatively common too.
The County of Tripoli: A Forgotten Past
The silent alleys of Tripoli still retain their medieval charms. They tell the stories of glorious counts, chivalrous knights in shining armour, and fighting men of order.
New Medieval Books: The Mongol Storm
This book examines how the medieval Middle East was reshaped by the invasion of the Mongol Empire in the thirteenth century. In this story of war and politics, new groups would emerge while others, including the Crusaders, would lose it all.
New Medieval Books: Political Culture in the Latin West, Byzantium and the Islamic World, c.700-c.1500
A comparison of three regions of the medieval world – Western Europe, the Byzantine Empire, and the Middle East – in how governments and politics operated. It looks to explain the question of who were the political elites from these areas and how they maintained power.
New Medieval Books: Richard of Cornwall
A biography of Richard of Cornwall, the youngest son of King John. He had an eventful career, as a power player in England, a crusader, and as a contender to the throne of the Holy Roman Empire.
Inheriting the Mantle of the Roman Empire, with Nathan Aschenbrenner
A conversation with Nathan Aschenbrenner about Western European claims to the Roman imperial title, from the Middle Ages to early modernity. We also discuss some plans in the West after 1453 to reclaim the “eastern empire” and a curious history from the early sixteenth that fuses Western and Eastern imperial history into one.
New Medieval Books: The Beauforts
A look into an important English family during the fifteenth century. As the children of John of Gaunt and Katherine Swynford, the Beauforts were major allies to the Lancastrian kings and played a key role in the politics and wars of the period.
The Names of Medieval Dynasties
The medieval world had many ruling dynasties, such as the Carolingians, the Hohenstaufen, and the Plantagenets. Did they call themselves that? If not, how did they get those names?