Book Review: Castles: A Fortified History of the World
What can castles tell us about the people who built them and the societies they sought to defend? Nicholas Morton reviews Dan Jones’…
How Fatimid Cairo Shaped Norman Sicily
Discover how the architecture of Fatimid Cairo influenced the churches, palaces and artistic culture of Norman Sicily during the Middle Ages.
When Medieval Priests Went to Court: Three Disputes from the 10th Century
Tithes, parish boundaries and new chapels could spark conflict between medieval priests. Explore three disputes from the 10th century and how they were resolved.
How to Make Medieval Soap: A 14th-Century Recipe You Can Try
Explore a 14th-century English recipe for medieval soap, made with sheep tallow, oak ashes and other ingredients, and discover how the process worked.
New Medieval Books: A Catalog of Benevolent Items
In 16th-century China, a vast encyclopedia brought together knowledge about medicine and the natural world. This book gives you a taste of this fascinating work and its remarkable range of subjects, from soybeans and dragons to poisons and ice.
What to Expect at the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry Exhibition
Get an inside look at the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, including how the famous medieval embroidery is displayed, what you’ll see and what to expect.
The Book of Hy-Brasil: A “Magical” Manuscript’s Journey from Baghdad to Ireland
Trace the Book of Hy-Brasil from medieval Baghdad to Ireland and discover how a medical manuscript became the subject of an otherworldly legend.
New Medieval Books: The Fifth Crusade
The Fifth Crusade is often overlooked, even by those who study the Crusades. This book shows why its story deserves greater attention, offering valuable insights into the politics and warfare of the medieval Near East.
What the Bayeux Tapestry Really Tells Us About Medieval Warfare
The Bayeux Tapestry offers a vivid picture of medieval warfare, but how reliable is it? John France examines what it reveals about Hastings, weapons, armour and cavalry.
Online Course: The Devil’s Brood: The Angevin Empire, 1154–1216
This online course, taught by James Barnaby, starts on September 16th, with live sessions each Wednesday from 1:00 to 3:00 pm EST.
Why Did Medieval Chroniclers Copy Other Histories?
Medieval chroniclers often borrowed from earlier texts, but their copying could serve literary and political purposes. Christopher Berard examines how writers reused the past to shape their accounts of contemporary events.
How the De Burgos Became More Irish Than the Irish
How the Anglo-Norman de Burgos became powerful Gaelic lords in medieval Ireland, adopting Irish laws and customs while battling for control of Connacht.
30 Medieval Empires
A guide to 30 medieval empires from across Europe, Africa and Asia, looking at their rise, expansion, greatest extent and eventual decline.
Relics and Rulers: The Politics of Holiness in Byzantium
Saints and relics shaped political authority, religious life, and economic power in the Byzantine Empire.
New Medieval Books: The Postal Revolution
Sending a letter in late medieval Italy changed dramatically over the centuries. This book traces how an initially ad hoc system of messengers developed into increasingly organised and professional courier networks, eventually becoming a significant business in its own right.
Online Medieval Courses Starting in September
This month sees three courses set to start, dealing with the Carolingians, the Angevins, and the Crusades.
How Medieval Bishops Took Monastic Wealth to Pay Their Soldiers
Medieval bishops needed soldiers, but maintaining them came at a cost. David Bachrach explores how monastic wealth was used to support military households.
New Medieval Books: Crusader Principality of Antioch from Bohemond I to Bohemond III (1098-1161)
When it comes to the Crusader States, the Principality of Antioch is often overlooked. This book aims to correct that, offering an in-depth examination of its political history during the first six decades of its existence.
The War of the Gallows: A Medieval Struggle for Power
In fourteenth-century Burgundy, gallows were more than places of execution. They became powerful symbols in struggles over justice, territory and princely authority.
New Medieval Books: The Fatimids
In the early tenth century, a new Islamic movement emerged in North Africa and soon developed into a powerful empire. This book examines the rise and fall of the Fatimids, their expansion across the medieval world, and how their rule helped create a ‘Golden Age’ in Egypt.
25 Greek Proverbs from the Middle Ages and Beyond
Discover 25 Greek proverbs about life, luck, work, wisdom and human nature, including sayings with roots in the Byzantine and medieval world.
The Forgotten Tsunami of 1303: A Medieval Mediterranean Disaster
A powerful earthquake in 1303 triggered a devastating tsunami that struck Crete, Egypt and the Levant, leaving destruction across the medieval Mediterranean.
How to Make a King Fall in Love, According to Medieval Magic
How do you make a medieval king fall in love? The Picatrix has the answer, but you’ll need wax, strange ingredients and a little magic.
New Medieval Books: The Merseburg Charms
In the 10th century, a cleric in Germany wrote down two magical charms rooted in pre-Christian pagan beliefs. This book takes a detailed look at the Merseburg Charms, exploring their origins, meaning, and significance.
