A rare medieval bishop’s ring, dating from the late 12th or early 13th century, is set to be auctioned at Noonans Mayfair on March 26, 2025. Discovered in the village of Shipdham, located in Norfolk, eastern England, the gold ring, adorned with its original gemstones, is expected to fetch between £15,000 and £18,000.
Five things you have to see from Siena, the exhibition of the year so far In the late eighteenth century men with saws got to work on one of the masterpieces of medieval art. The Maestà of Duccio di Buoninsegna (usually, just plain Duccio) had for once been the high altarpiece of Siena Cathedral. It was a dizzying collection of panels centred on a huge image of the Virgin enthroned with Christ on her lap, around which were arranged dozens of scenes from her life and His.
In the mid-twelfth century, Guillaume de St. Paier decided to write a history of the famous abbey of Mont St.Michel in verse. This book offers the first complete translation of this text which relates the miracles and legends associated with this monastery.
Medieval history is filled with powerful women who ruled as queens, empresses, and sultanas, shaping kingdoms and empires despite the challenges they faced. From warrior rulers to master diplomats, these 25 medieval women defied expectations and left a lasting impact on history.
A conversation with Sverrir Jakobsson about the experiences of Northmen — especially Varangians — who traveled to Constantinople and the south and returned home with stories, swords, riches, and prestige.
The winners of the 2025 Current Archaeology Awards have been announced, celebrating outstanding contributions to the field. This year’s top honours included Crypt: Life, Death, and Disease in the Middle Ages and Beyond by Alice Roberts for Book of the Year, and the excavation of Sheffield Castle for Rescue Project of the Year.
In the 13th century, noblewomen like Eleanor de Montfort used fashion to display power, status, and wealth. From rich wool and fine linen to opulent furs and intricate accessories, her medieval wardrobe was a statement of prestige and influence.
Archaeologists are once again uncovering the secrets of the Danevirke, one of the most significant fortification systems of the early medieval period, as preparations continue for the development of the Danevirke Archaeological Park.
Whether it’s Joan of Arc donning armor or women disguising themselves as monks to enter monasteries, gender-crossing attire appears in medieval history more often than you might expect. This book explores the subject in depth.
In 1400, a monastic power struggle at Amesbury Priory took a shocking turn when the ousted prior hired a gang to kidnap the prioress. What followed was a scandal of betrayal, lawsuits, and royal intervention—one of the wildest church disputes of the Middle Ages.
Between the mid-11th and late-15th centuries, a historically specific configuration of material and ideational factors gave rise to a constellation of religious wars now known as “the Crusades.”
Since I'm celebrating... Here’s something nice for the weekend. My narration of Henry V has been shortlisted for Book of the Year (Audiobook, Non Fiction) in the British Book Awards 2025.
