From ink-stained fingers to feline assistants, medieval scribes relied on an eclectic mix of tools to craft their manuscripts—some practical, some unexpected.
Few historical figures have undergone as dramatic a transformation as Saladin. Once cast as a ruthless enemy of Christendom, he later became the very model of knightly virtue in Western literature.
Was medieval Europe truly a “feudal” society, or is feudalism a modern construct imposed on the past? This article explores how historians have debated, redefined, and even rejected the term, shaping our understanding of medieval governance and society.
A collection of ten essays that examines how the Middle Ages is portrayed in novels and modern literature. It aims to answer the question how to bring a true-to-life medieval world in fiction.
Explore nearly 1,000 years of history in this six-part course, tracing the Iberian Peninsula’s dynamic past of innovation, collaboration, and conflict.
The Greek Ministry of Culture has announced a major initiative to restore and enhance the Palace of the Grand Master on the island of Rhodes, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Ottomans launch another siege against the city of Belgrade. In this episode of Bow & Blade, Kelly and Michael explore how Suleiman the Magnificent and his forces ultimately achieved victory.
By Stephanie Godward University of Louisville Assistant Professor of Anthropology Kathryn Marklein recently co-authored a study that produced jarring results contradicting past literature…
Archaeologists excavating a site on the Île de Ré, off the western coast of France, have uncovered medieval graves that provide new insights into connections between the Nordic world and the Atlantic coast during the early Middle Ages.
How did medieval canon law shape the idea of absolute papal authority? This article traces the evolution of key legal concepts—plenitudo potestatis, potestas absoluta, and pro ratione voluntas—from Pope Innocent III to Hostiensis, revealing their lasting impact on theories of sovereignty.
One of the key developments in medieval history was the creation of gunpowder weaponry. Throughout the medieval world, it would greatly change how war was waged. The Annals of King T’aejo includes an account of how gunpowder weapons were introduced to Korea.
A new study reveals medieval women copied over 110,000 manuscripts—far more than once believed.
