2024-04-25 05:23
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Rory Naismith about the complex world of medieval coins Read More
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2024-04-24 19:37
Translations of three medieval texts: In Praise of Baldness, On Bald Men, and A Defense of Beards. It reveals that male grooming was indeed a thing in the Middle Ages Read More
2024-04-24 17:19
The Avars are one of the least understood peoples of the early medieval period. A new study reconstructs their social dynamics by using ancient DNA data with archaeological evidence Read More
2024-04-24 02:03
A 16th-century tower house in northeastern Scotland has reopened to visitors after Historic Environment Scotland carried out necessary repairs to its masonry Read More
2024-04-23 17:10
While chariot races are usually associated with Ancient Rome, they were still taking place long into the Middle Ages. A poem from the twelfth century gives us an exciting look at this sport Read More
2024-04-23 11:05
It was around the year 600 that burials changed in England. A new study reveals that it was during this time that people altered where and how they buried their dead Read More
2024-04-22 19:25
The Byzantine philosopher Priscian of Lydia offers these answers to some common questions Read More
2024-04-22 16:14
First attested in the Middle Ages, the phrase has become part of not only the Passover liturgy, but also the concluding service for Yom Kippur, and has long testified to the longing of the s… Read More
2024-04-21 22:38
Historians are very interested in understanding environmental and climate conditions from the past. However, sources that can shed light on this information are hard to find, so being able t… Read More
2024-04-21 18:34
A double biography of two of the most important scholars from the Middle Ages. Working out of Central Asia in the 11th century, Ibn Sina and Biruni both made significant impacts on several s… Read More
2024-04-21 11:42
Medieval Florentines were very proud of their city. One 15th-century citizen even wrote down 14 reasons why Read More
2024-04-20 19:13
In recent years, a contentious debate has emerged regarding how society should address drugs such as marijuana. Should they be legalized and accepted? What are the harms or benefits associat… Read More
2024-04-20 18:39
A conversation with Eugene Smelyansky on the invention of ideologically useful versions of Byzantium in modern Russia. We talk about the much more limited engagement with Byzantium in imperi… Read More
2024-04-19 11:32
In this episode of the podcast 'Tis But A Scratch: Fact and Fiction About the Middle Ages, Richard Abels and his special guest and co-host Dr. Christine Senecal of Shippensburg University di… Read More
2024-04-18 11:27
In this episode of the podcast "'Tis But A Scratch": Fact & Fiction About the Middle Ages, co-hosts Richard Abels and his wife Ellen Abels explain who and what "Vikings" really were, wha… Read More
2024-04-18 04:03
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Richard Hoffmann about what people were eating, how they caught it, and how fish farming evolved over time Read More
2024-04-17 22:05
What was it like to work on a farm in the Middle Ages? A fourteenth-century shepherd named Jean de Brie offers some insights into his daily life and tips to help you do a good job Read More
2024-04-17 18:26
In this episode of the podcast Tis But A Scratch: Fact and Fiction About the Middle Ages, Richard Abels examines the story of King Edward the Martyr Read More
2024-04-17 17:36
In 1495, the Danish warship Gribshunden sank off the coast of Sweden. In recent years, researchers have dived to explore the wreck and have made several important discoveries Read More
2024-04-16 20:09
A history of this Egyptian metropolis from its founding by Alexander the Great to our own day. Close to a hundred pages are devoted to the medieval era Read More
2024-04-16 17:14
One of the key dates from the Middle Ages is the year 1453. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss how the Ottomans were able to conquer the city of Constantinople and… Read More
2024-04-13 21:05
An overview of the civil war in 15th-century England, this book showcases the artwork of Graham Turner, a leading modern-day artist who focuses on recreating historical scenes Read More
2024-04-13 17:55
Abbot Samson of Bury St Edmunds is a good case study of leadership during times of trouble - in this case when a monastery was drowning in debt Read More
2024-04-13 12:05
James Turner analyses this 14th-century battle in Scotland Read More
2024-04-12 16:22
What happens when William Marshall and King Richard I take part in the same siege? Read More
2024-04-11 21:19
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… Read More
2024-04-11 17:39
As described in a number of sagas, the "blood eagle" was a particularly gruesome form of ritual sacrifice of high-status captives to the god Odin. Historians have debated whether this ritual… Read More
2024-04-11 15:21
What’s new in medieval studies? Here are ten articles published in March, which tell us about topics including the Bayeux Tapestry and Louis the Stammerer Read More
2024-04-11 11:36
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Taylor McCall about what medieval people knew about internal medicine, where they learned it, and how they illustrated it Read More
2024-04-10 20:05
Archaeologists from Newcastle University have unearthed evidence for an evolving sacred landscape spanning centuries in Eastern England Read More
2024-04-09 21:56
A collection of eleven articles about how witches and witchcraft were depicted in the Middle Ages. Many of the articles focus on the connections between women and magic and how this graduall… Read More
2024-04-09 18:47
Byzantine bullion fuelled Europe’s revolutionary adoption of silver coins in the mid-7th century, only to be overtaken by silver from a mine in Charlemagne’s Francia a century la… Read More
2024-04-09 14:41
"Those who have ever suffered similar misfortunes can judge from their own experiences how great my agitation and anxiety were at the moment." Read More
2024-04-08 23:12
In 2014, archaeologists came across an interesting item from an early medieval grave in southeastern Germany. Ten years later they have been able to identify it as a hard-boiled egg Read More
2024-04-08 16:46
A fun book about the Middle Ages, filled with many manuscript images. Half the book deals with medieval daily life while the other half - The Bestiary - focuses on animals and beasts from th… Read More
2024-04-08 00:26
Solar eclipses are one of our most remarkable episodes of natural phenomena. This was true as well in the Middle Ages, which are told in ten accounts from around the medieval world Read More
2024-04-06 23:45
Historical graffiti, ranging from symbols to dedications, adorns Venice’s columns, entrances, and walls, weaving a rich tapestry of the city’s narrative. Spearheaded by… Read More
2024-04-06 19:25
Translations of two law codes that were made in eastern Norway during the fourteenth century. These law codes focus on rules related to the Christian Church, ranging from baptisms to the pay… Read More
2024-04-06 16:23
An explanation of volcanoes and why they erupt from a medieval scientist. Read More
2024-04-06 12:08
Was preventing beer spillage significant enough to be deemed a miracle? Surprisingly, for one seventh-century writer, it was! Read More
2024-04-06 01:01
A conversation with Monica White about the earliest contacts between Constantinople and the first Rus'-Varangian raiders, traders, and mercenaries to cross the Black Sea. Who were these peop… Read More
2024-04-05 23:31
Scotland and England are at war again, with the important border town of Berwick-upon-Tweed under siege. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael and Kelly discuss how the English were ab… Read More
2024-04-05 00:02
This open-access book examines the connections between Hebrew and Arabic in the Middle Ages when it comes to language. it offers a look at how people learned from each other even though they… Read More
2024-04-04 14:42
During medieval times, Christian pilgrims embarked on journeys across Europe and the Middle East to visit churches, holy sites, and shrines. The pinnacle of these pilgrimages was a visit to… Read More
2024-04-04 03:30
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Sonia Velázquez about St. Mary of Egypt, why she caught the medieval imagination, and how her beauty, age, and holiness s… Read More
2024-04-03 20:58
What was life like in a medieval town? Read some stories of daily life from a fourteenth-century chronicler in Germany Read More
2024-04-03 19:06
When I first heard about the Sanctum Praeputium I thought it was a joke thought up by some medievalist. However, in the Middle Ages there was much debate if a little piece of Jesus Christ re… Read More
2024-04-03 14:41
An introduction to Viking History. Each week historian Terri Barnes takes you through a different aspect of the lives of Nordic peoples who lived during the Viking Age from roughly AD 750 to… Read More
2024-04-02 21:22
This book reveals what Old English sources had to say about animals, both real and imaginary. If there was a bestiary written in early medieval England it would look something like this Read More
2024-04-02 10:25
Did you ever believe that you were someone else? There is a story from medieval Florence about a practical joke that must be too crazy to be true Read More
2024-04-01 16:41
The Medievalists.net Monthly Book Selection for April is The Tale of Thorstein Staff Struck, edited and translated by Jesse Byock and Randall Gordon Read More
2024-03-31 18:14
Our list of the most important events in the medieval world, between the years 500 and 1500 AD. This includes political and military events, as well as the dates of inventions, new writings… Read More
2024-03-31 15:52
What did a medieval Chinese emperor from 1,500 years ago look like? A team of researchers reconstructed the face of Chinese Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou using DNA extracted from his remains Read More
2024-03-30 15:26
Almost eight hundred years ago, Gaza would be on the frontlines of another war, this one pitting the Crusaders against Fatimid Egypt Read More
2024-03-29 20:13
There are many phrases that we use in everyday life. Some of these were first spoken back in the Middle Ages Read More
2024-03-29 00:35
Archaeology is transforming the way we understand medieval warfare. One way it is doing this is by revealing what kinds of injuries and wounds warriors received on the battlefield. Here are… Read More
2024-03-28 03:05
We live in a world full of constant notifications, interruptions, and complications. If only we could get away from it all, the peace and quiet would allow us to concentrate. Or would it? Th… Read More
2024-03-27 16:05
This book focuses on letters that were written before, during, and just after the First Crusade. The analysis includes understanding which letters were genuine and which were fictitious Read More
2024-03-27 15:25
Archaeological analysis of a near-unique animal cemetery discovered in London nearly 30 years ago has revealed the international scale of horse trading by the elites of late medieval and Tud… Read More
2024-03-26 21:57
Natalie Mallat tells the story of Zaida, an 11th-century princess Read More
2024-03-26 11:05
The exact location of a long-lost stone cross erected by the 14th century that acted as a boundary marker to define the then city limits of Bristol, and which was also the site of a gallows… Read More
2024-03-25 23:52
The Book of Icelanders (Íslendingabók) by Ari Thorligsson is a twelfth-century history of Iceland, including its settlement, Christianization and its first bishops. This book i… Read More
2024-03-25 18:01
Ipswich can be placed at the centre of the developing early medieval world thanks to a unique collection of Viking combs, as detailed in a new book published this week Read More
2024-03-24 23:46
What qualities defined a great Viking warrior? Read More
2024-03-24 19:07
The Fatimid Egyptian empire fielded one of the most overlooked forces in the crusading period Read More
2024-03-24 17:47
A conversation with Maria Parani on the emperor's clothing and the staging of his public appearances. We talk about his most formal garments, what he wore on the battlefield, his military ba… Read More
2024-03-23 23:44
Ten remarkable medieval women whose captivating contributions merit greater acknowledgment Read More
2024-03-21 16:43
The tale of a labour dispute aboard a Venetian vessel provides insights into the inhabitants of medieval London Read More
2024-03-21 05:04
It may be an ordinary body part, but medieval people definitely had strong opinions about hair and what it said about you. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Emanuele Lugli returns to talk a… Read More
2024-03-20 17:26
A look at the history of Rus, Lithuania, Moscovy and Tver from the 11th through to the 15th century through the members of the Volodimerovich clan. Each chapter focuses on a ruler and their… Read More
2024-03-19 22:21
A recent study delves into the discovery of three women from Viking-Age Gotland who underwent skull elongation. This investigation sheds light on the fascinating tradition of body modificati… Read More
2024-03-19 00:11
Have you wanted to escape into the medieval past? Read More
2024-03-18 19:12
Despite their strength, Crusader knights in the Medieval Middle East had vulnerabilities that could result in their defeat in battle Read More
2024-03-18 17:03
Archaeologists working in Quedlinburg have uncovered the remains of a baptism font from the 10th century. It is very likely the place where various members of the ruling Ottonian Dynasty rec… Read More
2024-03-18 01:43
A self-help / personal philosophy guide with a medieval twist, as the author uses a modern interpretation of the code of chivalry to lead his life to the fullest. His knightly virtues have l… Read More
2024-03-17 16:05
The peculiar practice of placing ostrich eggs in medieval church sanctuaries has left historians and theologians puzzled for centuries. Read More
2024-03-17 13:05
These medieval rulers would earn nicknames like the Bad, the Cruel and the Accursed! While many rulers in the Middle Ages could be… Read More
2024-03-16 21:05
Joan of Arc, a historical figure shrouded in mystique and valour, is often celebrated for her unwavering faith and military prowess. However, one aspect of her remarkable story that often go… Read More
2024-03-16 17:29
A chronicle written in the second half of the 15th century, which details the history of the Teutonic Knights, a military order that fought in the Near East and Baltic regions. The account c… Read More
2024-03-16 02:42
A look at Anthony Kaldellis' new book The New Roman Empire: A History of Byzantium Read More
2024-03-15 16:54
Medieval astrolabes are seen as one of the great examples of medieval science. A new article reveals how one of these artifacts from the 11th century bears both Arabic and Hebrew inscription… Read More
2024-03-14 16:52
The University of Notre Dame is hosting medievalists from around the world as the annual meeting of the Medieval Academy of America begins. Even if you are not attending in person, you can w… Read More
2024-03-14 04:14
Through grime, stains, and wax droplets, the filthiest, most well-loved manuscripts tell us the story of how medieval people used - and abused - their books. This week on The Medieval Podcas… Read More
2024-03-12 19:02
One thing was clear to even the most untalented strategic thinker amongst the Crusaders - they needed to recover at least some of the old Christian inland cities of the Holy Land if they wer… Read More
2024-03-11 19:11
The Middle Ages had their share of amazing medical stories, but perhaps nothing was more unusual than a surgery that took place in Paris in the year 1475. A chronicle from that time reveals… Read More
2024-03-11 12:23
A collection of ten texts, in Latin with English translation, from the 15th and 16th centuries, which relate pre-Christian religious practices in the Baltics Read More
2024-03-10 19:12
We will be launching two online courses in April. If you enjoy learning about medieval history we would love to have you enroll! Read More
2024-03-10 12:05
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 o… Read More
2024-03-09 23:31
When it comes to sieges, which group was the most successful in the medieval Middle East: Crusaders, Turks or Mongols? Read More
2024-03-09 18:12
It sounds like a joke from a men's magazine, but this list of ten reasons not to get married was created in the Middle Ages, by a man who became a Pope Read More
2024-03-08 17:40
If you were living in London in the mid-15th century, you may have got caught up in the alchemy craze. The idea of turning base metals into gold and silver was seducing many people, includin… Read More
2024-03-08 15:05
A collection of 12 articles in honour of Terry B. Barry, Professor Emeritus at Trinity College Dublin. The articles deal with a variety of topics related to medieval Ireland, including its p… Read More
2024-03-08 12:05
The destruction of an English fleet led by Sir John Arundel in 1379 is reported by most chroniclers to be an unfortunate accident. However, if you read what Thomas Walsingham has to say abou… Read More
2024-03-08 01:05
Are you looking for your next place to live? A medieval writer offers advice on where your home should be, even which way the windows should face Read More
2024-03-07 20:07
A conversation with Michele Salzman about the resilience shown by the city of Rome and its ability to recover from crisis during the fifth-seventh centuries. These recoveries were usually sp… Read More
2024-03-07 19:11
A rather unassuming spot in Greece has seen dozens of battles throughout history. On this episode of Bow & Blade, Michael Livingston and Kelly DeVries are joined by Myke Cole to talk abo… Read More
2024-03-07 06:02
Foxes were everywhere in the medieval world and the medieval imagination. But where do the ideas we have about foxes come from? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with… Read More
2024-03-06 16:08
Kings, knights, monks, peasants - everyone in the Middle Ages ate bread. It was also the food that caused bitter religious disputes and could make you go insane Read More
2024-03-06 12:13
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 Emp… Read More
2024-03-05 21:16
Around the year 1136, a map was inscribed in China. It is considered a remarkable example of medieval geography, but how does it fare when tested against modern georeferencing? Read More
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