#medieval-history

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History
fromMedievalists.net
18 hours ago

Hoard of Medieval Cannonballs Found in Belgian City - Medievalists.net

Archaeological excavations in Nieuwpoort uncovered medieval cannonballs and structures, revealing insights into the city's fortified past.
London
fromianVisits
23 hours ago

Ride to 1066: Taking the bus to the Battle of Hastings

The 1066 bus route offers a scenic journey from Tunbridge Wells to Hastings, enhancing the experience of visiting the Battle of Hastings.
History
fromOpen Culture
1 day ago

Why Animals Look So Strange in Medieval Manuscripts

Chimera refers to bizarre combinations of parts from different sources, originating from a mythical creature with a goat body, lion head, and dragon tail.
Philosophy
fromThe Conversation
1 week ago

The enduring legacy of medieval Christian depictions of Islam in today's political discourse

Religious rhetoric intertwines with geopolitical conflicts, framing strategic interests as moral battles, particularly in the context of U.S.-Iran relations.
fromMedievalists.net
2 days ago

The Carolingian-Abbasid Axis: Charlemagne and the Caliphate - Medievalists.net

The Carolingians and Abbasids built ties that extended from western Europe to the eastern Mediterranean, reshaping the political landscape of their age.
History
#medieval-literature
History
fromMedievalists.net
3 days ago

New Medieval Books: The Art of Making Verses - Medievalists.net

Gervase of Melkley's guide offers a unique method for composing poetry, emphasizing clear expression, metaphor, and irony for beginners.
fromMedievalists.net
5 days ago

10 New Medieval Studies Articles You Can Read Right Now (Free & Open Access) - Medievalists.net

Extreme weather in the 1430s triggered a major economic crisis in England, leading to food shortages, livestock deaths, and widespread disruption, reshaping landholding practices.
History
fromMedievalists.net
4 days ago

The Strange Ritual Before Medieval Duels: Why Opponents Touched - Medievalists.net

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.
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
3 days ago

How Byzantines Saw Themselves: Romans, Not "Byzantines" - Medievalists.net

The Byzantine Empire's identity was rooted in its self-perception as the Roman Empire, contrary to modern interpretations.
fromMedievalists.net
5 days ago

New Medieval Books: Vikings Behaving Reasonably - Medievalists.net

The concept of hóf in Norse culture represents a cultural expectation of moderation and restraint, which was pivotal in resolving disputes and maintaining order within communities.
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
5 days ago

The 5 Most Common Jobs in a Medieval City - Medievalists.net

Farming, carpentry, butchery, shoemaking, and Church-related work were the most common jobs in late medieval Montpellier.
fromMedievalists.net
6 days ago

New Online Course: Exploring the Troubadours, Trobairitz, and Trouveres - Medievalists.net

The troubadours, trobairitz, and trouvères were pivotal in shaping the music and poetry of medieval France, reflecting the cultural richness of their time.
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 week ago

Did People Run in the Middle Ages? - Medievalists.net

Running as a physical activity in the Middle Ages is underexplored despite its presence in historical accounts.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 week ago

New Medieval Books: Flattening the Medieval Earth - Medievalists.net

The myth of medieval flat earth originated around 1600, contrary to the belief that medieval people thought the Earth was flat.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 week ago

New Online Course: William Marshal: 'The Greatest Knight of all the World' - Medievalists.net

William Marshal, a landless knight, became regent of England, showcasing the rise of English elites in the 12th century.
fromThe Conversation
1 month ago

Notions of 'Christendom' often miss the mark - medieval Europe's ideas about faith and power were not so simple

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.
Philosophy
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 week ago

Burghal Hidage and Assault Forces in Medieval Siege Warfare - Medievalists.net

The Burghal Hidage reveals that an army needed significant numbers to effectively storm fortified towns in early medieval Europe.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 week ago

How Medieval Normandy Managed Its Forests - Medievalists.net

Medieval Normandy's forests were crucial for daily life, requiring sophisticated regulation to manage competing demands for resources.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 week ago

12 Strange Magical Beliefs from the Middle Ages - Medievalists.net

Medieval beliefs included magic practices like love potions, storm conjuring, and superstitions surrounding death and health.
History
fromOpen Culture
3 weeks ago

How Everything in a Medieval Castle Worked, from Its Moats to Its Dungeons

Medieval castles were complex structures designed for defense, featuring elements like barbicans, moats, and parapets.
History
fromenglish.elpais.com
2 weeks ago

Henry V, the great medieval English king, offers an uncomfortable example of nobility and leadership to the current Windsor monarchy

Henry V is celebrated not only for his military victories but also for his complex life and character beyond the battlefield.
Science
fromOpen Culture
1 month ago

How Medieval Cathedrals Were Built Without Science, or Even Mathematics

Medieval cathedral builders engineered complex structures like Sainte-Chapelle without mathematics or formal science, using practical techniques and empirical methods instead.
History
fromMedievalists.net
3 weeks ago

How Church Leaders Helped Defend Medieval Germany - Medievalists.net

Church leaders in Ottonian Germany were responsible for organizing defenses and mobilizing communities to protect the kingdom.
History
fromMedievalists.net
3 weeks ago

New Medieval Books: Light on Darkness - Medievalists.net

Liturgy is central to Western cultural history, rich in artistic expression and emotional depth, influencing society for over a thousand years.
History
fromMedievalists.net
3 weeks ago

Medieval Goths and Goth Music: The Surprising Connection - Medievalists.net

The Goths influenced modern goth music, linking a historical Germanic tribe to contemporary cultural styles.
fromMedievalists.net
3 weeks ago

How Many Workers Built a Medieval Cathedral? - Medievalists.net

The financial accounts kept by the fabrique for Girona Cathedral provide exceptionally detailed records, allowing historians to calculate the total number of workers and the average employed per year.
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
4 weeks ago

The Size of Armies in Early Medieval Warfare - Medievalists.net

The size of early medieval armies remains debated, with some scholars arguing for small warbands while others suggest larger fighting forces existed.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

When Charlemagne Became a Thief: A Medieval Tale Retold - Medievalists.net

Charlemagne's legacy includes tales of his youth, notably an adventure involving a thief named Basin, showcasing his character and moral lessons.
History
fromwww.theguardian.com
1 month ago

A fascinating discovery': research challenges Battle of Hastings narrative

The forced march of King Harold's army to Stamford Bridge may not have happened, challenging long-held historical assumptions about the Battle of Hastings.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

Medieval Chess Reveals a More Diverse Middle Ages, Study Finds - Medievalists.net

Medieval chess functioned as a rare intellectual arena where people from different cultures and races engaged as equals, challenging assumptions about rigid medieval social hierarchies.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

Medieval Words That Became Slang - Medievalists.net

Many modern slang words originated in the Middle Ages and earlier centuries, often with meanings vastly different from their contemporary usage.
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

Political Borders Shaped the Spread of Medieval Chant, Study Finds - Medievalists.net

Tropes were additions inserted into established Gregorian chants. They could include new words, new melodies, or a combination of both, expanding the original liturgical piece and sometimes offering additional theological or rhetorical commentary. In many cases, tropes circulated long before they were recorded in writing. Their melodies and texts were transmitted orally for centuries before being preserved in medieval manuscripts, creating a complex web of regional variants across Europe.
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

10 Men Who Nearly Became King of England - Medievalists.net

Medieval England had numerous men who came close to ruling but never secured the throne due to death, overthrow, or military defeat.
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

New Medieval Books: Approaching Records of the Household and Wardrobe - Medievalists.net

The Household and Wardrobe Accounts are English records that document the daily needs of the king and his family. This book serves as a guide to these sources, showing how they can be used and what valuable insights they offer into medieval government.
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

10 Ways Video Games Have Rewritten the Middle Ages - Medievalists.net

Video games have become a primary way modern audiences encounter the Middle Ages, creating a distinctive form of medievalism shaped by gameplay mechanics that emphasizes warfare and reshapes historical reality.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

New Medieval Books: Silence of the Gods - Medievalists.net

Europe's last pagan peoples underwent Christian conversion from the 14th to 20th centuries while maintaining their indigenous religious traditions despite political pressure to adopt Christianity.
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

Online Course: The Normans in Europe - Medievalists.net

We get started by exploring the origins of the Normans in the county and then duchy of Normandy. We will understand their Norse background and their relationship with the Carolingians. The timeline approach will help us discover all the counts and dukes of Normandy, and what they contributed to their realm. This will set the foundation for the interconnected stories that will lead us to England and the Mediterranean.
History
#assassins
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

New Medieval Books: The Conqueror's Gift - Medievalists.net

Imperial Roman ethnography was a gift the Romans made for themselves, because it embraced concepts with which they could address the great cultural diversity of their world. It was a gift that came from the conquerors, reflecting their supposition of preeminence. At the same time, Roman ethnography was a somewhat less welcome present for the many peoples who found themselves trapped in Rome's vision, needing to find a place within it that made sense to Roman demands.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

New Medieval Books: A Crusade Against the Turks as a Means of Reforming the Church - Medievalists.net

This project will focus on the Camaldolese hermits' proposal for achieving what they considered to be the most crucial task in the repair of the church, eliminating Islam and all Muslims. Our study will begin with an examination of the recipient of the Libellus, Giovanni de' Medici, who would become Pope Leo X. Next will be an exploration into the backgrounds of Paolo Giustiniani and Pietro Querini,
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

25 Tips from the Middle Ages - Medievalists.net

Medieval practical literature provided specific everyday guidance on posture, hygiene, conversation, remedies, and social behavior, blending useful tips with odd, superstition-based methods.
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

New Medieval Books: The Forsaken 14th Century - Medievalists.net

In this volume, the authors aim to provide a truly global overview of the 14 century, with each region given approximately the same space. It is obviously impossible to cover every event in every country of the world in a single volume, just as you would not be able to visit every city in every country if you traveled around the world for a year.
History
History
fromwww.medievalists.net
2 months ago

Hattin and the Templars' Last Stand

The Templars' desperate rear-guard charge at the Horns of Hattin in July 1187 failed disastrously, marking a pivotal collapse of the Crusader army.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

New Medieval Books: The Horse in History - Medievalists.net

Eleven studies examine horse equipment, training, folklore, and material culture across time and Europe, emphasizing archaeological evidence and diverse methodological approaches.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

Military Intelligence and Planning in the Carolingian Empire - Medievalists.net

Carolingian rulers built systematic intelligence networks—interrogating travelers and compiling detailed reports to gather topographical, political, and military information for campaign planning.
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

New Medieval Books: The Medieval Moon - Medievalists.net

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.
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

Military Education in Early Medieval Europe: Learning from Books - Medievalists.net

Early medieval military leaders learned warfare from books—Roman manuals, handbooks, and case studies—informing campaigns, sieges, and logistical planning.
#mongol-invasions
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

Previously Unknown Medieval Chronicle Discovered - Medievalists.net

A previously unknown 8th-century Maronite chronicle (dated 712–13 CE) offers early Christian perspective on Arab-Islamic expansion and Late Antique religious-political change.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

A Murder in Crusader Acre: The Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat - Medievalists.net

Conrad of Montferrat, newly elected king of Jerusalem, was assassinated in Acre in 1192 by attackers whose sponsors and identity remain disputed.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

New Medieval Books: Ipomedon - Medievalists.net

A twelfth-century Anglo-French romance about Ipomedon, an incognito prince tested by adventures, tournaments, and ironic narration exploring chivalry, humour, and social values.
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

10 Medieval Studies' Articles Published Last Month - Medievalists.net

In this paper we investigate whether infant and childhood feeding practices influenced the imbalanced adult sex ratio reported in medieval Europe from historical and osteological evidence. First, we examine hypotheses for the observed imbalanced sex ratios in Europe and the evidence presented to support these hypotheses. We then use stable isotope analysis (δ13C and δ15N) of incremental dentine in 64 first molars from adults at three medieval sites (Aulla, Badia Pozzeveri, and Montescudaio) in north-western Tuscany (11th-15th c. CE).
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

New Medieval Books: Castles and Strongholds of Northumberland - Medievalists.net

Northumberland contains more castles, towers, peles, bastles and barmkins than any other British county, serving as private residences and fortifications for nobility and landowners.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

Charlemagne's Failed Invasion of Spain, 777-778 - Medievalists.net

Charlemagne's 778 campaign to conquer Muslim-controlled Spanish fortress cities along the Ebro River ended in failure, marked by the ambush at Roncevaux Pass that destroyed his rearguard and killed the commander Roland.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

15 Plots Against William the Conqueror - Medievalists.net

William the Conqueror survived numerous plots, conspiracies, and betrayals throughout his life, demonstrating how fragile medieval power was despite military conquest and dynastic authority.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

New Online Course: The Americas during the Middle Ages - Medievalists.net

An online six-week course examines indigenous peoples of North America and Mesoamerica (500–1500 CE), emphasizing diverse peoples, environments, lifestyles, and pre-contact historical trends.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

New Medieval Books: A Medieval Case for Islam's Superiority - Medievalists.net

An eighth-century Abbasid letter to the Byzantine emperor defends Islam, critiques Christian misunderstandings, and reflects Abbasid-Byzantine diplomacy and Baghdad's intellectual life.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

New Medieval Books: Joan of Arc - Medievalists.net

Joan of Arc's life transformed into a mutable cultural icon, repeatedly recast as hero, monster, and saint, maintaining powerful resonance in France across six centuries.
fromWorld History Encyclopedia
2 months ago

Cnut: The North Sea King

"Cnut: The North Sea King" by Ryan Lavelle is a short and engaging biography of the most ambitious and successful Scandinavian leader of the Viking Age. Lavelle captures both the brutality and pragmatism that allowed Cnut to govern England effectively for almost two decades, despite being an outsider and a foreign conqueror. In 1066 and All That (1930), a parody book of English history,
History
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

Did Alfred the Great send an embassy from England to India? - Medievalists.net

King Alfred sent envoys Sigehelm and Athelstan to Rome and to India in 883, and manuscript evidence and contextual connections make the India destination plausible.
History
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

The Magical Gemstones of King John of England - Medievalists.net

King John's gemstones reflect medieval belief in jewels' protective and healing powers; Victorian and Edwardian historians judged monarchs as 'good' or 'bad' by parliamentary contributions.
History
fromMedievalists.net
1 month ago

Dreaming of Owning a Medieval Artefact? Here's Your Chance - Medievalists.net

TimeLine Auctions' March 3 online sale features hundreds of medieval historical objects including a 13th-century Limoges cross, 1224 Chinese armor, Viking silver mount, and Anglo-Saxon brooch.
fromMedievalists.net
2 months ago

Online Course: Medieval Gender and Sexuality - Medievalists.net

Eleanor Janega is one of the most well-known historians of the Middle Ages, widely recognised as the host and co-creator of several history series on HistoryHit TV and the podcast Going Medieval. She is also a prolific writer and public educator, bringing medieval history to a broad audience through her engaging books, articles, and media appearances. With a keen focus on medieval society, gender, and power structures, Janega challenges popular misconceptions and makes the past accessible with wit and scholarly depth.
History
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