What did medieval people think were the worst jobs you could have? The answers will surprise you.
It was Christmas at Camelot! This week Substack hosted an evening of live festive readings in Clerkenwell, London.
In the Late Middle Ages, particularly in German-speaking lands, the perception of giants underwent a notable transformation—from monstrous and malevolent figures to noble and heroic ones. This book explores numerous examples where giants, and those considered “gigantic,” evolved into celebrated hometown heroes.
One of its gripping moments in Sverris Saga recounts a speech Sverre delivered in 1186, addressing his followers on the dangers of overdrinking—a timeless warning wrapped in medieval drama.
Call for questions for the last Q&A of the year! First, apologies for having missed a month on the Q&A.
This article explores how medieval armies looked after their warhorses, from initial preparations to the challenges they faced on campaign.
One of the richest seams for conspiracists is the idea that there were large numbers of ‘Templar renegades’ roaming around Europe and the Middle East in the aftermath of the order’s suppression, doing whatever outlandish idea might come to mind in a pub.
Did you know the Christmas traditions we cherish today—from carols to decorated trees—have their roots in the Middle Ages? This feature explores how the festive season evolved through centuries of Christian and pagan influence.
Just like us, medieval people enjoyed analysing and discussing their literature. This book explores the lively discussions surrounding two renowned works from medieval France.
Explore how the Swan Knight legend influenced medieval nobility, inspiring castles, heraldry, and secret orders across Europe.
Language is constantly evolving, and many words we use today meant something completely different during the Middle Ages. In this article, we’ll uncover 30 words that changed their meaning between the Middle Ages and modern times, showing how the English language transformed alongside shifts in culture, beliefs, and daily life. Here are some surprising examples of just how much words can evolve over time.
It is with a sense of discomfort that I write about my new book, as the shadows of unspeakable violence are cast over my homeland Israel/Palestine. The book deals with the forgotten history of a bygone era, far removed from the intense and devastating reality of the present. Yet, this study of the so-called “Black” Jews of Kerala in southern India seeks to counter the historical erasures and orientalist fabrications that Jews of colour have been subjected to in patterns of historical erasure that pertain even more forcefully to Palestinian history as several scholars argue (see, for example, here and here). Ostensibly, similar threads of historiographical bias run through the history of many other displaced peoples and uprooted communities between the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean. But the present study focuses on the specific case of Malabar Jews in a well-defined period that has so far remained under-researched.
