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Catapult: The Long-Reaching History of a Prominent Medieval Siege Engine
One of the most iconic images of the European Middle Ages is the castle. This defensive structure was often heavily fortified and provided its inhabitants with much-needed safety. It was usually quite...
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Serbia and the Ottoman Empire: The Loss and Recuperation of Independence
During the second half of the 14th century, the Ottoman Empire was extending its rule into the Balkans. One of the regional powers that the Ottomans encountered during their conquest of the Balkans was...
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Bestiary, The Book of Beasts: Compendiums of Medieval Monsters and Moral Lessons
During the Middle Ages the phoenix rose from its ashes to be reborn, dangerous dragons battled elephants to the death, and the pelican tore out its own breast to feed its young with its life’s blood—at...
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Greed and Decline: The Treasure of the Knights Templar and Their Downfall
The ‘Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon,’ more commonly known as the Knights Templar, or the Templars, was one of the most renowned military orders during the Middle Ages. The...
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Would you take a Medieval Journey? Man recreates Pilgrimage across England...
Many speak of observing the Christmas holidays with a return to more traditional or spiritual celebrations, but one man is taking that to heart by going on a medieval pilgrimage across England. He is...
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Beautiful, Decorative, and Sometimes Crude: Illuminated Manuscripts and...
Illuminated manuscripts are manuscripts that are covered with painted ornaments presented under several forms. These documents are perhaps most commonly associated with the European Middle Ages....
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The Bizarre Importance of Bleeding Bodies in Medieval Trials
The history of criminal justice and forensic science is really interesting because of all the absurd rituals and superstitions courts relied on to determine guilt or innocence right up until the 19th...
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Before They Were Divination Tools, Tarot Cards Were Playing Cards
In the English-speaking world, the word ‘tarot’ is most commonly associated with the occult and divination. What is perhaps less well-known is that tarot cards were only used for such purposes...
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Forgotten Medieval Village Found During Construction Work in Scotland
The village of Cadzow has been rediscovered during the upgrading of the M74 motorway (expressway) in South Lanarkshire, Scotland. Archaeologists discovered hundreds of objects which documented life...
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Science Sheds New Light on the Life and Death of Medieval King Erik
The saint's legend speaks of a king who died a dramatic death in battle outside the church in Uppsala, Sweden, where he had just celebrated mass. But what can modern science tell us about his remains?...
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1,000-Year-Old Lost Music Reconstructed from Ancient Manuscript
Exactly what music sounded like in the early Middle Ages is unknown, but some scholar-musicians from England performed a piece today that they reconstructed from an 11th century manuscript.A page from...
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Are You My Mummy? DNA Tests to Seek Modern Relatives of 800-Year-Old...
The images show scientists as they carefully peel away the cocoon - including birch bark and copper - which led to the mummification of a boy aged six or seven who lived close near to the modern town...
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Archaeologists Discover Remains of Viking Parliament of Medieval Norse King...
A place where Vikings settled disputes, made key political decisions, and decided laws has been unearthed on the Isle of Bute, in Scotland.The history of the Isle of Bute is connected with the Norse...
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King John: The Worst Monarch in English History?
When it comes to Kings (and Queens) of England, there is strong competition as to who can claim the title of being the worst in the nation’s long history.There is Ethelred the Unready, whose chaotic...
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The Ancient Legend of the Monstrous Rat King
A rat king is the term used to describe an agglomeration of rats whose tails have entangled together. As a result of this entanglement, a large single entity is formed, which is usually further bound...
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Incubi and Succubi: Crushing Nightmares and Sex-Craving Demons – Part I
Imagine you suddenly awake at night. You feel a sense of panic when you realize that you cannot move. The fear increases when you sense another presence in the room with you. You gasp for breath, but...
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Incubi and Succubi: Protection from Dark Magics and Cures for Night Terrors –...
Some researchers have suggested that Incubus/Succubus attacks are related to strong sexual repression. As noted above, tales of Incubi and Succubi were originally linked more with monks and nuns – two...
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Medieval Weapon-Making Foundry Discovered on Shore of Lake Baikal
Furnaces for advanced metal production have been found under a dirt track used by summer tourists. Archaeologists walking to a beauty spot on Lake Baikal chanced across the unique ancient furnaces...
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Child Doodles Discovered in 14th Century Manuscript
Researchers have discovered a set of children's doodles in the margins of a medieval manuscript. The discovery sheds new light on the knowledge and education of children in the Middle Ages and their...
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A Monument of Faith: The Magnificent Pena Palace in Sintra
Sintra is a lovely town which is found near Lisbon in Portugal. It is one of the most popular places in Portugal and is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. It is also one of the Seven Wonders...
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