From thrilling jousts to chaotic mêlées, medieval tournaments were among the most exciting spectacles of the Middle Ages. Learn how knights competed for glory, honour, and fame.

A major restoration has returned the medieval Madonna della Pura fresco to public view in Florence’s Santa Maria Novella, revealing details hidden for decades and shedding new light on its history and devotion.

New special editions of the greatest history books - what would you like to see next?

A medieval legal text claimed that King Arthur ruled a vast northern empire stretching from Greenland to Russia. Discover how this unlikely story shaped merchants, explorers, and historians.

What advice would a medieval king give on friendship, learning, peace, and success? Explore 78 maxims attributed to King Aldfrith of Northumbria.

Discover the story of Souillard, the legendary hunting dog of King Louis XI, whose fame inspired a rare medieval poem and helped shape the mythology of France’s royal hunting traditions.

Did old age slow Charlemagne down? David Bachrach examines the emperor’s final years and argues that Charlemagne remained an active and effective ruler until his death in 814.

Discover how people sent messages in the Middle Ages, from trusted messengers and written letters to seals, scribes, and carrier pigeons.

A new study reopens the debate over Eilmer of Malmesbury’s famous flight, suggesting the medieval monk’s remarkable experiment may have happened decades later than previously thought.

Did Norway’s Viking-themed World Cup photo shoot cross a line? Richard Utz examines the debate and the enduring legacy of Viking imagery in modern culture.

The UK dates are out... US coming soon This autumn I’ll be on the road - a lot. Which is exciting!

What do a ladder, a group of monks, and a host of angels and demons reveal about medieval spirituality? Alice Isabella Sullivan explains the icon of The Ladder of Divine Ascent, one of the most influential images of the Byzantine Middle Ages.