One Ethiopian monk’s bold attempt to reshape his church’s hierarchy offers a striking example of how Christian communities across the medieval world were deeply interconnected.
The tournament fields of 12th-century France were the battlegrounds where young knights sought fame, fortune, and glory. Among them was Henry the Young King, whose relentless pursuit of victory made him both a celebrated champion and a cautionary tale of ambition.
What if knights fought battles not with swords and lances, but with fresh cheeses and rotten apples? The Battle of Torelore in Aucassin et Nicolette turns medieval chivalry on its head in one of literature’s most absurd and subversive parodies.
New research using CT scans of Viking-Age skulls has revealed evidence of severe infections, osteoarthritis, and dental diseases that plagued Sweden’s medieval population. The study offers a glimpse into the hardships of Viking life, where untreated illnesses could linger for years.
The Ottoman Empire, led by Mehmed II, clashes with Hungarian and Serbian forces under John Hunyadi. In this episode of Bow & Blade, we examine the first of two sieges that took place in Belgrade.
Walter Goffart, a leading historian of European history in late antiquity and the early Middle Ages, has passed away at the age of 90.
A conversation with Johanna Hanink on Greek literature (ancient, modern, and in-between), on publishing outside one’s main area of academic expertise, and on podcasting.
New research reveals that Transylvania experienced a delayed impact of the Little Ice Age, with historical records describing extreme weather events that shaped communities in unexpected ways.
Discover 25 powerful sayings from ancient and medieval China—timeless wisdom on success, fate, and human nature from dynasties past.
Dr. Jörn Günther Rare Books returns to TEFAF Maastricht this year with a dazzling selection of illuminated manuscripts and miniatures, offering a glimpse into some of the finest medieval and Renaissance book art.
Did the Rhine crossings of 406, long seen as a decisive moment in the fall of the Western Roman Empire, really happen as described? A new study challenges the traditional narrative, arguing that one of the key sources may have been more influenced by theology and literary tropes than historical fact.
Ask me anything! Here’s a wild little story I just found in the archives of the English medieval court of King’s Bench. This post also contains instructions for submitting questions for this month’s Q&A. Only paid subscribers get to post questions via the comments - but it’s easy to sign up. Just hit this button.
