#medieval-history

#medieval-history

The handgrasp ritual before combat among medieval duelists illustrates a surprising attempt to create a final opportunity for peace, even at the brink of violence.

The obverse of the seal depicts a crowned Edward enthroned, holding a fleur-de-lis scepter and an orb, showcasing influences from Byzantine seals and German craftsmanship.

The research team identified a sudden spike in carbon-14 between the years 1200 and 1201, pointing to a previously unknown solar proton event.

"Games have long brought people together across cultures and centuries, creating shared experiences that connect us beyond borders, languages, and differences. Whether played on boards, performed through physical skill, explored via the spoken or written word, or navigated in digital worlds, games carry educational, symbolic, and social roles that shape how we learn, connect, and make meaning through play."

This project demonstrates the combined power of science, the study of human remains and historical research to discover new information about the six mortuary chests and their occupants which would not have been available to us a generation ago.

Some citizens might see themselves as Christian nationalists simply because they are Christian and patriotic. Others, however, assert that the United States is rightfully a Christian nation that ought to be governed by Christian leaders, ethics and laws. As a historian, I'm aware that Christian nationalism relies upon a selective and often distorted view of American history.

Although Eleanor's marriage to Edward in 1253 was political in nature (it settled a dispute over Gascony), the two were besotted and virtually inseparable. Over the course of a 30-year marriage she gave birth to 16 children (only six survived) and became Edward's confidant, accompanying him on crusade in the early 1270s.

In this book of moons, I am writing for people for whom the medieval world and its literatures and arts may be unfamiliar. I hope that in telling the stories of medieval moons, I also introduce these readers to the wonderful, mesmerising realm of medieval texts and images. But I also hope that this book may be useful to those with greater familiarity with medieval languages, literatures, and arts.

Terry Jones was a Python, a historian, a bestselling children's author and a very naughty boy. He loved to play women in drag, started a magazine about countryside ecology (Vole), founded his own real-ale brewery and was even once a columnist for this newspaper, beginning one piece in 2011 like this: In the 14th century there were two pandemics. One was the Black Death, the other was the commercialisation of warfare.

Although a lot of medieval history is murky, the whys and wherefores - not to mention the timeline - of the Hundred Years' War are firmly nailed down. Or are they? This week, Danièle speaks with Michael Livingston about why the Hundred Years' War should actually be called the Two Hundred Years' War, what actually touched off the conflict, and why we should question everything.

Villeneuve lez Avignon has a long and rich history. Legend has it that in the 1 st Century AD, Saint Martha, the Patron Saint of Avignon "resurrected" a shepherd from the town after he drowned in the Rhone (resurrections were rather more frequent in those days). Some 400 years later, another Saint settled in Villeneuve as the locals call it, a Visigoth princess-hermit who devoted her life to God on Puy Andaon, the hill that dominates Villeneuve.

Theories abound regarding why snails were often depicted as formidable foes in medieval manuscripts, with suggestions that they represented the rival Germanic Lombards who had invaded Italy.

Orderic Vitalis’s narrative of the First Crusade in the 1130s reveals how crusading narratives were shaped for monastic and regional audiences in medieval Europe, emphasizing the achievements of Norman figures.

Paul Hill provides a detailed and well-researched reminder that England was not merely imagined into existence or won by a single epoch-defining battle.

The Medieval Murder Maps project provides a visual representation of homicide incidents during the Middle Ages, categorized by weapon and type, covering cities like London, York, and Oxford.

Joanna of England lived a life deeply entangled in the turbulent politics of the Angevin Empire, showcasing her journey from a princess to a powerful figure.

Tasha Marks, a scent designer, creates historical odors for museums to enable visitors to experience the past through smell, as seen at the British Library.

William II of England, while hunting, shouted, "Shoot, you devil! Shoot, in the devil's name!" Just moments later, he was fatally struck by an errant arrow.

The entry of Central Europe into history defies straightforward assumptions; some connections will probably remain forever hidden behind the abyss of time, while for others, conjecture will have to suffice.

"This historic codification of jousting by King Alfonso XI reflects a structured approach to tournament conduct, ensuring fairness and competitive integrity among knights."

Medieval people might have encountered dinosaur fossils, but without the scientific context, these large bones could be interpreted through myth and theology.

"Evidence suggests that John Forde’s transition from being part of a crime gang to a lover of Ela Fitzpayne played a critical role in his eventual murder."

The Normans' journey from Viking roots to rulers of England and the Mediterranean showcases their transformative influence and cultural achievements in medieval history.

The reimagined Medieval Palace at the Tower of London showcases historically accurate medieval decor and highlights the significance of medieval Queens like Eleanor of Castile.