A guest post from bestselling author Helen Carr From time to time on History, Etc, I like to hand over the keys/reins/work to someone else. Today is the turn of Helen Carr, whose forthcoming book Sceptred Isle takes a deep dive into the occasionally rather inglorious fourteenth century.
Archaeologists working in St. Mary’s Church (Marienkirche) in Gardelegen, Germany, have made an unexpected discovery: a small lead-bronze figurine of a monkey, buried beneath the medieval church for centuries.
Many people first encounter the Middle Ages through video games. This book examines how these games incorporate familiar medieval tropes while simultaneously shaping new perceptions of the past.
Medieval university life was anything but dull—freshmen endured brutal hazing rituals, public humiliations, and even bizarre traditions involving feces, all in the name of scholarly initiation.
How did Rome, once the heart of a mighty empire, crumble into ruins by the end of the Middle Ages?
When King Henry I died in 1135, his nephew Stephen of Blois seized the English throne, igniting a bitter struggle for power with his cousin Matilda. This book explores the ensuing civil war, known as The Anarchy, a turbulent period that plunged England into chaos and conflict.
Here are ten fascinating articles from the Royal Society’s journals that shed light on the Middle Ages.
Martin Aurell whose works about the first Plantagenets were read by medievalists all over the world, has passed away at the age of 67.
A rare medieval scroll has been uncovered in the archives of Bar Convent in York, England, revealing new insights into devotional practices.
I'll be talking live on Substack with Lucy Worsley at 7pm GMT Here’s something fun.
In this issue, we explore how people learned during the Middle Ages: in the monastery or school room, at the training grounds, or even on the job. Theme: Medieval education and learning James G. Clark, "From monastery to university: The making of medieval education," 18-23. Lucie Laumonier, "Learning a trade: Medieval apprentices," 24-27. Robert Jones, "A schoolhouse for the sword: swordsmanship for the middle classes," 28-33. Gary Leiser, "Medieval Islamic education: The rise of colleges of law," 34-39. Jens Høyrup, "Algorism, abacuses, and computus: Medieval mathematics," 40-43. Features: Hal Dixon, "The Battle of Aljubarrota: Iberian warfare as told by Froissart," 8-11. Robert Jones, "The Chivalric Code: More a set of guidelines...," 12-13. Paul Martin Remfry, "Harlech Castle: Reappraising the sources," 14-17. Alice Isabella Sullivan, "Pătrăuți Monastery: Architecture, murals, and light," 44-47. Christopher Fletcher, "A rare book coffer: Mobile medieval manuscripts," 48-49. Conor Robison, "'For the killing of one another:' The alliance that broke the Aztecs," 50-53. Peter Konieczny, "Al-Hariri's Maqamat: A twelfth-century success," 54-55. Jonathan Jones, "Book review: Henry V: The Astonishing Rise of England's Greatest Warrior King," 56. Gabrielle Storey, "Book review: Queens and Queenship," 57.
For the first time in over 40 years, the Bayeux Tapestry will be removed from its display as part of an ambitious conservation and museum redevelopment project.
