Where the Middle Ages Begin
Over thirty Swedish queens are profiled in this book, the first major study of royal women in Sweden between the 10th and 14th centuries. It offers new insights into the evolution of medieval queenship.
What everyday objects did people use in the Middle Ages? From clothing and household necessities to tools for work and warfare, these 25 medieval items were essential to daily life and shaped how people lived, ate, and survived.
Delve into the pivotal figures of the Middle Ages whose enduring legacies shaped the course of history. From visionary leaders and profound scholars to prolific writers and formidable warriors, these individuals left an indelible mark on medieval society.
Discover the 50 most significant events of the Middle Ages, spanning the years 500 to 1500.
Here are seven vivid facts about colour in the Middle Ages
In medieval times, many unique jobs, such as Ale-wife and Groom of the Stool, were essential but have since vanished. Discover these obsolete occupations and how historical changes led to their disappearance.
Are you wanting to talk more like someone from the Middle Ages? We have a list of 30 great sayings and proverbs that you can use in your conversations.
Have you wondered what a medieval king did on a typical day? Thanks to Christine de Pizan, we have an account of what daily life was like for King Charles V of France.
Some of our most popular phrases have a long history, including some that go back to the Middle Ages.
Want to know what kind of jobs there were in the Middle Ages? A unique source from the 15th century gives us some beautiful images of medieval people at work.
Over thirty Swedish queens are profiled in this book, the first major study of royal women in Sweden between the 10th and 14th centuries. It offers new insights into the evolution of medieval queenship.
In 1483, Queen Isabel I and King Fernando of Castile granted royal garments as perpetual rewards for battlefield victories. A new study uncovers how these unusual gifts became lasting symbols of favour, power, and memory in late medieval Spain.
Discover how medieval kings transformed their realms through a “fiscal revolution” that centralized control over coinage and taxation, reshaping the foundations of state power.
A new study uncovers why Poland’s first kingdom—the Piast state—collapsed so quickly, linking slave trade wealth, ecological intensification, and political fragility. Archaeology, pollen records, and coin hoards reveal the state’s rapid rise—and sudden unraveling.
How Viking adventurers helped shape the foundations of Russia and Ukraine—and why their legacy remains at the heart of modern political conflict. Explore the Rus origin story from Rurik to Putin.
The Hippodrome of Constantinople stood at the heart of Byzantine public life. This book explores the history of the stadium, the thrilling chariot races it hosted, and the vital role it played in the political, social, and cultural fabric of the empire.
A closer look at how King Alfonso X of Castile—celebrated as “the Learned”—undermined his own kingdom through overambitious spending, aggressive economic controls, unstable currency, and heavy taxation. It reveals how one of medieval Spain’s most intellectual rulers engineered an economic collapse.
This collection of 16 essays explores the medieval story of Robin Hood, examining its sources, how it may have been understood by medieval audiences, and what it reveals about the broader fabric of medieval society.
A new study analyzes nearly 1,000 Syriac manuscripts using digital tools to reveal how scribes shaped literary culture through excerpting—introducing a new metric, Excerpts Per Manuscript (EPM), to map editorial practices across time and genre.
Discover the daily routines, rituals, and responsibilities of monks at Cluny Abbey in the 11th century. Daily Life in a Medieval Monastery offers a vivid look into food, clothing, prayer, hospitality, and the unique organization of one of medieval Europe’s most influential religious communities.
What did medieval monks wear under their habits? This study explores how underwear became a source of debate, modesty, and controversy in monastic life.
Drawing on a wide range of archaeological evidence, this book offers a detailed reconstruction of the Norse presence in the region of present-day Poland. It sheds new light on their material culture, religion, and interactions with both local populations and the emerging Polish state.
Did the relics of the True Cross really add up to a whole forest? This article explores medieval claims, 12th-century letters, and the ongoing debate over the authenticity of Christianity’s most famous relic.
Discover 20 powerful, witty, and thought-provoking quotes from medieval kings and queens—from Charlemagne to Tokugawa Ieyasu—revealing how rulers across Europe and Asia understood leadership, justice, language, and life.
Discover how a divine vision experienced by the monk Gunzo inspired the construction of Cluny III, the largest church in medieval Christendom. A story of faith, architecture, and the heavenly mandate that shaped a monastic masterpiece.
A new study reveals how the skins used to make the 13th-century Hamburg Bible preserve scars, stitches, and even signatures from medieval parchment-makers—offering a detailed look at manuscript production through the lens of biocodicology.
A conversation with Tina Sessa and Marion Kruse on the process of peer-review in the humanities: what it’s for, how it can be done well, and where it can go awry. The conversation is based on many decades of collective experience of peer-review, on all sides of the process.
Forty years after a fire damaged York Minster, new technology like robot dogs and drones is being tested to protect medieval buildings from future disasters.
Discover five surprising facts about the Crown of Thorns, from its origins as a leafy wreath to its role in medieval kingship and Christian art.
Discover the overlooked roles of medieval Jews—not just as scholars and victims, but as warriors, storytellers, and lovers. This article explores Jewish participation in battles, chivalric tales, and everyday life across the Middle Ages.
The origins and practices associated with the Christian festival of Easter are often a hotly debated topic. This book examines history of Easter and its connections with pagan religions.
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Nathen Amin about Henry Tudor’s Welsh ancestry, how generations of royals and rebels shaped him, and how he managed to claim the English throne despite desperately long odds.
A journey through humanity’s long fascination with the monstrous, ranging from dragons to walruses. This book explores how cultures across time have imagined, exaggerated, and feared creatures both real and mythical.
A 15th-century stucco Madonna and Child, hidden for over 70 years, has undergone a dramatic restoration in Florence. Once discoloured and forgotten, the sculpture now reveals its original colours and exquisite detail.
Over thirty Swedish queens are profiled in this book, the first major study of royal women in Sweden between the 10th and 14th centuries. It offers new insights into the evolution of medieval queenship.
A conversation with Tina Sessa and Marion Kruse on the process of peer-review in the humanities: what it’s for, how it can be done well, and where it can go awry. The conversation is based on many decades of collective experience of peer-review, on all sides of the process.
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Nathen Amin about Henry Tudor’s Welsh ancestry, how generations of royals and rebels shaped him, and how he managed to claim the English throne despite desperately long odds.
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Sarah Loose Guerrero about what to expect at a medieval hospital, how institutions like the Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala supported citizens from infancy to adulthood, and what hospital support looked like for both urban and rural communities.
A conversation with Adam Morin about categories of taste, the meal structure, and the food and ingredients that east Romans ate. What foods were prized and what looked down upon? How do we know what they ate? What do we know about individual preferences?
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Lynn Ramey about the incredible Jean Bodel, his massive influence on other medieval writers, and some of his unforgettable works.
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Luke Pepera about medieval Africa, what it would’ve been like to find yourself in one of the most powerful empires of the Middle Ages, and the famous pilgrimage of Mansa Musa.
