If there seems to be something almost medieval about President Biden pardoning his wayward son Hunter, or Donald Trump promising to pardon the January 6 rioters, well… that’s because that particular prerogative originates with medieval kings.
A medieval silk seal bag, dating from the reign of King Henry III, has gone on public display for the first time in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey. Scholars have discovered that this rare artifact is a perfect match to the silk cloth used to wrap the remains of Emperor Charlemagne, who is buried in Aachen Cathedral in Germany.
Offering a fresh look at the origins and development of Arabic poetry, this book argues that pre-Islamic poetry reflected regional identities and that later Islamic scholars favoured a specific style to define a unified Arab culture.
The Galloway Hoard, the richest collection of Viking-age treasures ever discovered in the British Isles, is set to make its international debut. The exhibition, Treasures of the Viking Age: The Galloway Hoard, will open at the South Australian Museum in Adelaide on 8 February 2025 and run until 27 July 2025.
Discover our new self-paced online course on the Second Crusade, designed to guide you through the rich tapestry of primary and secondary sources. Delve into the events that shaped the Crusade in the Near East, Iberia, and northern Europe, gaining a deeper understanding of this pivotal chapter in medieval history.
Thomas Aquinas stands as a pivotal figure in the medieval history of Christianity. This biography of the 13th-century theologian, penned by one of the foremost experts on Aquinas, offers deep insight into his life and legacy.
The five essays in this collection explore how the Crusades continue to serve as a powerful historical symbol within Far-Right extremism. This influence is evident in acts of terrorism, political movements like Brexit, and even in cultural phenomena such as the Assassin’s Creed video games.
For medievalists and historians, the rebuilding of Notre-Dame offers a unique lens to explore the intersection of medieval craftsmanship, modern science, and cutting-edge research.
An exploration of the Carolingian Empire’s collapse into civil war, focusing on the pivotal Battle of Fontenay in 841. This decisive conflict reshaped the political landscape of Europe, leaving a lasting legacy.
The bishop’s men plundered the king’s fortress. Then they threw a dead man into the well to poison it. Now we know more about the deceased.
Talking about Richard III's secret diary, sackbuts, William Marshal's legend, the worst kings in history, Simon de Montfort's strategy in Gascony, the Mongol Empire, and Thomas Becket's last stand These open Q&A posts are fast becoming my favourite thing about this Substack newletter. I love the variety and occasional obscurity of the questions.
Watch now (43 secs) | Exclusive cover, numbered, signed, limited to 1,000 copies - 15% discount for Substack subscribers The Broken Binding have made a dazzlingly beautiful special edition of my new book Henry V. I’ve just been at the factory signing them.
