Looking for the perfect gift for the medieval enthusiast in your life this holiday season? Here are 10 fantastic ideas that combine history and charm.
1. Lewis Chessmen Figures
Replica Lewis Chessmen figurines make an excellent gift that any medievalist would love to display. These iconic 12th-century chess pieces, originally discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, are intricately carved from walrus ivory and whale teeth, showcasing the artistry and culture of the Viking Age. The replicas come in wood or plastic and typically feature five figures: King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, and Berserker. If you want to spend more, consider buying a chess set featuring all the figures.
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2. Notre-Dame de Paris in LEGO
Photo courtesy LEGO
If your medievalist likes to build things, LEGO’s Architecture series includes an impressive Notre-Dame de Paris set. It comes with 4,383 pieces and, once built, stands 33 cm (13 inches) tall. You can also remove the roof and peek inside to admire details such as the rose windows, interior columns, Gothic arches, the two towers, and more. This is a timely gift, too, with the cathedral reopening after the devastating 2019 fire. For something more affordable, consider the Medieval Castle set, which is about half the price. Check them out on the LEGO store or Amazon.com.
3. Video Games with a Medieval Style
If your medievalist is into video games, you’ll have plenty of options. One of the most lauded games of 2024 is Manor Lords, a medieval city-building and strategy game that blends realistic town management with large-scale tactical battles. Set in 14th-century Bavaria, it allows players to construct settlements, manage economies, and lead armies.
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Another great option is Inkulinati, a whimsical, medieval-inspired strategy game where players take on the role of master illuminators, bringing fantastical, hand-drawn creatures to life in the margins of manuscripts. With its unique art style and humorous gameplay, it combines tactical combat with a delightful homage to the bizarre and imaginative world of medieval art.
4. Medieval Cookbooks
If your medievalist is a foodie, consider getting them a medieval-themed cookbook. These unique books blend historical authenticity with culinary adventure, offering recipes inspired by or directly translated from medieval sources. Perfect for history enthusiasts who enjoy hands-on experiences, they can recreate feasts from the Middle Ages and savour flavours from centuries past.
For the medieval music lover, this innovative device is a fantastic choice. Featuring a vast library of authentic medieval instruments and effects—including hurdy-gurdies, lutes, and Gregorian chants—it allows users to recreate the rich soundscapes of the Middle Ages. Dubbed “the ultimate—and only—medieval beat machine,” it’s a must-have for music enthusiasts. You can buy it from Teenage Engineering or from Amazon.com.
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6. Medieval Clothing
There are countless options for buying clothing or even armour with a historical feel. These range widely in historical accuracy, but two standout options are Armstreet, which is partially based in Ukraine, and Valkyrie Custom Wear, a Canadian designer.
If you’re searching for a gift that truly comes from the Middle Ages, a medieval coin is a perfect choice. These small but exquisite artifacts are not only fascinating to look at but also offer a wide variety of options for any budget. Websites like MA-Shops feature an extensive collection, with prices ranging from under $10 to thousands of dollars—a medieval English penny should be available for under $100.
8. Medieval Manuscripts
While we don’t support the practice of buying individual pages from medieval manuscripts—since they often come from books that have been deliberately disassembled—we wholeheartedly recommend facsimiles as an alternative. High-quality reproductions from websites like Facsimile Finder and Moleiro allow you to own stunning pieces of medieval history without contributing to the destruction of original works. These beautifully crafted facsimiles range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars, offering something truly special for enthusiasts. On Amazon, you can find more affordable facsimile editions of the Book of Kells and the Black Hours.
There are plenty of options for purchasing jewellery, whether it’s faithfully replicated from medieval artifacts or creatively inspired by the Middle Ages. For unique, handmade pieces, Etsy is an excellent platform that offers a wide range of designs crafted by independent artisans. Whether you’re looking for something historically accurate or modern with a medieval twist, you’ll find countless beautiful options to choose from.
If you’re looking for something more unique, consider vintage maps. While they won’t be from the Middle Ages, these historic views are often highly appreciated by medievalists.
Looking for the perfect gift for the medieval enthusiast in your life this holiday season? Here are 10 fantastic ideas that combine history and charm.
1. Lewis Chessmen Figures
Replica Lewis Chessmen figurines make an excellent gift that any medievalist would love to display. These iconic 12th-century chess pieces, originally discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland, are intricately carved from walrus ivory and whale teeth, showcasing the artistry and culture of the Viking Age. The replicas come in wood or plastic and typically feature five figures: King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, and Berserker. If you want to spend more, consider buying a chess set featuring all the figures.
2. Notre-Dame de Paris in LEGO
If your medievalist likes to build things, LEGO’s Architecture series includes an impressive Notre-Dame de Paris set. It comes with 4,383 pieces and, once built, stands 33 cm (13 inches) tall. You can also remove the roof and peek inside to admire details such as the rose windows, interior columns, Gothic arches, the two towers, and more. This is a timely gift, too, with the cathedral reopening after the devastating 2019 fire. For something more affordable, consider the Medieval Castle set, which is about half the price. Check them out on the LEGO store or Amazon.com.
3. Video Games with a Medieval Style
If your medievalist is into video games, you’ll have plenty of options. One of the most lauded games of 2024 is Manor Lords, a medieval city-building and strategy game that blends realistic town management with large-scale tactical battles. Set in 14th-century Bavaria, it allows players to construct settlements, manage economies, and lead armies.
Another great option is Inkulinati, a whimsical, medieval-inspired strategy game where players take on the role of master illuminators, bringing fantastical, hand-drawn creatures to life in the margins of manuscripts. With its unique art style and humorous gameplay, it combines tactical combat with a delightful homage to the bizarre and imaginative world of medieval art.
4. Medieval Cookbooks
If your medievalist is a foodie, consider getting them a medieval-themed cookbook. These unique books blend historical authenticity with culinary adventure, offering recipes inspired by or directly translated from medieval sources. Perfect for history enthusiasts who enjoy hands-on experiences, they can recreate feasts from the Middle Ages and savour flavours from centuries past.
There are two types of medieval cookbooks you can choose from. The first are those that offer medieval recipes (or medieval-inspired ones) with helpful modern instructions, making them easier to follow. The Medieval Cookbook by Maggie Black and The Medieval Kitchen: Recipes from France and Italy by Odile Redon are excellent examples. The second type includes translations of medieval texts; while these might be harder to recreate, they offer fascinating insights into history. Great options include Annals of the Caliphs’ Kitchens: Ibn Sayyār Al-Warrāq’s Tenth-Century Baghdadi Cookbook, translated by Nawal Nasrallah, and Registrum Coquine: A Medieval Cookbook, translated by Marco Gavio de Rubeis.
5. EP-1320 Medieval Sampler
For the medieval music lover, this innovative device is a fantastic choice. Featuring a vast library of authentic medieval instruments and effects—including hurdy-gurdies, lutes, and Gregorian chants—it allows users to recreate the rich soundscapes of the Middle Ages. Dubbed “the ultimate—and only—medieval beat machine,” it’s a must-have for music enthusiasts. You can buy it from Teenage Engineering or from Amazon.com.
6. Medieval Clothing
There are countless options for buying clothing or even armour with a historical feel. These range widely in historical accuracy, but two standout options are Armstreet, which is partially based in Ukraine, and Valkyrie Custom Wear, a Canadian designer.
7. Coins
If you’re searching for a gift that truly comes from the Middle Ages, a medieval coin is a perfect choice. These small but exquisite artifacts are not only fascinating to look at but also offer a wide variety of options for any budget. Websites like MA-Shops feature an extensive collection, with prices ranging from under $10 to thousands of dollars—a medieval English penny should be available for under $100.
8. Medieval Manuscripts
While we don’t support the practice of buying individual pages from medieval manuscripts—since they often come from books that have been deliberately disassembled—we wholeheartedly recommend facsimiles as an alternative. High-quality reproductions from websites like Facsimile Finder and Moleiro allow you to own stunning pieces of medieval history without contributing to the destruction of original works. These beautifully crafted facsimiles range in price from hundreds to thousands of dollars, offering something truly special for enthusiasts. On Amazon, you can find more affordable facsimile editions of the Book of Kells and the Black Hours.
For those with an even larger budget, you can also explore original manuscripts through specialized sellers.
9. Medieval Jewellery
There are plenty of options for purchasing jewellery, whether it’s faithfully replicated from medieval artifacts or creatively inspired by the Middle Ages. For unique, handmade pieces, Etsy is an excellent platform that offers a wide range of designs crafted by independent artisans. Whether you’re looking for something historically accurate or modern with a medieval twist, you’ll find countless beautiful options to choose from.
10. Maps
Earlier this year, we got a map of the Crusader States made by Mapmaker Klimantas—and we loved the detail put into it. Another excellent map depicts the City of London as it was in the late 13th century.
If you’re looking for something more unique, consider vintage maps. While they won’t be from the Middle Ages, these historic views are often highly appreciated by medievalists.
For more gift ideas, check out museum shops such as the British Museum, The Met, and the Aga Khan Museum. And don’t forget to pair your gift with a medieval-themed Christmas card—explore our Redbubble page for a variety of designs!
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