When Medieval History Matters…

Mortuary caskets at Winchester being restored © Winchester Cathedral

The Remains of Kings and Queens in Winchester

12/01/2026

Since 2012, archaeologists and scientists have been poking through 1300 bones, the remains of kings, queens and bishops laid to rest in the mortuary chests in Winchester Cathedral.  Read more

Medieval work during the summer months © Raum Salzburg, 818. Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 210, fol. 91v.. Source Wikipedia

Biodiversity near Lake Constance in the Middle Ages

08/01/2026

Pollen studies from the area around Lake Constance in southern Germany show that biodiversity increased dramatically after around AD 500, before reaching a maximum around the year 1000. The question is why. Read more

Narsaq with the Kvanefjeld in the backgorund. DreamstineFaure 41090046

Greenland Was Part of Scandinavia – and Denmark for a 1000 years

06/01/2026

When Greenland was settled by Norse immigrants in AD 997, it was uninhabited. From the outset it became part of the Danish–Scandinavian world Read more

Putin as Ivan the Terrible

Putin’s Medieval Dream of Ruling an Empire

19/08/2025

At his Alaska meeting with Trump, Putin made a curious demand that cut to the heart of the war: he wants to rule as Czar of a medieval-style empire “Mr. Putin also demanded guarantees that Russian should be an official language in Ukraine, and that security should be established to… Read more

775 Westphalia. Poster exhibition 2025

1250 Years in Westphalia – an Exhibition

25/05/2025

Westphalia celebrates 1250 years of its history and remembers the Saxon Wars and its Carolingian heritage Read more

Charlemagne enjoying VR at Höxter 2025 © Huxarium

Battle at Braunsberg AD 775 and new Exhibition at Höxter

25/05/2025

In 775, Charlemagne dispatched an army into Saxony, part of which ended in the battle at Braunsberg on the brinks of Weser in 775. Exhibition tells the story of the Saxon Wars from a local perspective Read more

The Golden Psalter. From St Gallen No 22. Late 9th century. Source: Wikipedia

Carolingian Wars in Saxony 772-804

23/05/2025

The conflict between the Saxons and the Franks during the late 700s and early 800s wasn’t just a random clash. Inflamed by a missionary zeal, it resonates in the 21st century Read more

Exhibition from Landesmuseum Westfalen the man from Beckum © Landesmuseum Westfalen in Herne

The Prince from Beckum AD 600

23/07/2016

The Prince from Beckum in North Rhein-Westphalia from the beginning of the 7th century tells a story of a man who lived in a mixed cultural setting Read more

Medieval Exhibitions

Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages at the Metropolitan

Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages at the Metropolitan

12/11/2025

Fluid and queer sex is featured in a new medieval exhibition at the Met Cloisters in New York during winter 2025-26 Read more

775 Westphalia. Poster exhibition 2025

1250 Years in Westphalia – an Exhibition

25/05/2025

Westphalia celebrates 1250 years of its history and remembers the Saxon Wars and its Carolingian heritage Read more

Kogge from Kempen

Medieval trading vessel from 1410 discovered in the off Copenhagen

01/01/2026

A 28-metre-long medieval trading ship has been discovered in the Sound off Copenhagen, making it the largest cog ever found in Northern Europe. Read more

Wolin Open Air Museum. Source: Wikipedia

Archaeologists Uncover Unusual Early Medieval Huts in Northwestern Poland

28/12/2025

Wolin on the southern Baltic remains a Viking-Age enigma. Chronicles describe warriors and violent conflict between Danes and Slavs, yet archaeological discoveries reveal a thriving trading hub. Read more

Fresco from the Campo Santo in Pisa. Above the tomb of Giovanni Cini. Source: Wikipedia

Volcanic Climate Forcing and the Emergence of the Black Death (c. 1345–1348)

28/12/2025

Around 1345, volcanic eruptions led to famine. Following this, the import of grain increased, ultimately leading to the Black Death in Europe. Read more

Map of venice

Early Medieval Glass from Venice

28/12/2025

From Shards to Sea Routes: Glass Evidence for Venice’s Mediterranean Networks in the 7th and 8th Centuries Read more

New Research

A red kite depicted in the Aberdeen Bestiary, written and illuminated in England around 1200. © University of Aberdeen Special Collections

Medieval Birds of Prey Thrived on Human Waste

17/01/2025

Birds of prey in medieval Britain relied far more heavily on scavenging human waste than previously thought, according to research that analyzed more than 30 ancient bird skeletons. Read more

Virgin from Breedon-on-the-hill. Source: Wikipedia

Advent and Marian Devotion

03/12/2024

Advent is a time for reflecting upon Mary, the Mother of God. One avenue is to contemplate the beauty of the Old English Advent Lyrics Read more

Otto II invests Adalbert aka Wojciech as bishop and appoints him missionary. from the bronze doors from Gniezno Doors c. 1160-80

Comparing Christian Rulership in Poland and Norway

25/10/2024

In the Early Middle Ages, kings were elected according to charisma, wealth and warrior capabilities. Late rulership became dependant on dynastic succession and the endorsement of the Christian church Read more

Grote Beek. © Henkbiouwers/ Dreamstime 2257460882

The Dark Ages: Nature’s Comeback in the Netherlands

09/10/2024

In the period known as the Dark Ages (c. 300 – 700 AD), woodlands staged a remarkable comeback across Europe, including the Netherlands. Read more

Holy Roman Emperor Henry II and Cunigunde

Thietmar's name. From the Merseburger Sakramentar. © Merseburg Donmstiftsbibliotehek, Cod 1, 129, fol 38 r.

Thietmar of Merseburg 975-1018

01/01/2025

Thietmar of Merseburg was bishop of the diocese of Merseburg from 1009 to 1018. Famous for his Chronicle, he was one of the most important historians of the Ottonian period Read more

Crowning of Heinrich and Kunegunde From the Evangelistar. Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 4452 fol-7 CCBYSA

Heinrich II, German King and Holy Roman Emperor 1002 – 1024

02/12/2024

Heinrich II (973 (978)-1024) – famous for his foundation of Bamberg – was the last Ottonian to rule Germany and the Holy Roman Empire. Read more

Kunigunde. Detail from: The Baseler Antepedium. Photo: www.muensterschatz.ch

Kunigunde – Ottonian Queen 1002-1024

02/12/2024

The 10th-century German queens set their mark on politics in different ways. The last queen, Kunigunde, primarily played the role of dynastic bridgebuilder. Read more

Reconstruction of Heinrich II. © Bamberg 2024

A Glimpse into the Daily Life at the Court of Kunigunde and Heinrich II in Bamberg

01/12/2024

Bamberg will host an important exhibition in the autumn 2024 focusing on the daily life at the imperial court of Henry II and Cunigunde Read more

Medieval Landscapes

WEB Wild Rabbit from arter.dk CC BY Jesper Michael Møller

The Wild Rabbits with the Long, Long Ears…

01/03/2025

Rabbits share their history as on and off domesticated animals with the feral horses. Although living in the wilderness, they were very early on considered a nice supplement and hence “farmed” and domesticated for different purposes Read more

Grote Beek. © Henkbiouwers/ Dreamstime 2257460882

The Dark Ages: Nature’s Comeback in the Netherlands

09/10/2024

In the period known as the Dark Ages (c. 300 – 700 AD), woodlands staged a remarkable comeback across Europe, including the Netherlands. Read more

White tailed eagle in The Oder Delta © Agdbeukhof/Dreamstime 167383594

Overwhelming Support for Rewilding and Release of Large Animals in the Oder Delta

03/02/2024

Germans and Poles living in the Oder Delta strongly support rewilding and the introduction of large animals – including wolves and lynx, returning its landscape to its former medieval glory.  Read more

WEB Mystical forest in the Vosges ID 135207030 _ Alsace c Tanja Voigt _ Dreamstime

The Vosges in the Early Middle Ages, ca. 400 – 750

31/01/2024

In the Early Middle Ages, the Vosges were regarded as a wilderness – by elites, poets and priests. However, the ideas about how to live in and utilise this wilderness were contested. Read more

New Books about the Middle Ages

Finlaggan. © Jaime Pharr/Dreamstime 19463497

The Kingdom of the Isles – and their Lords at Finlaggan

23/01/2026

Excavated since 1987, Finlaggan on Islay, demonstrates how the medieval Kingdom of the Isles was on par with the rest of Europe in terms of political and cultural sophistication. Read more

Vase of St. Martin at Agaune. Source: Wikipedia

Burgundy 450-535

11/01/2026

A new book gathers together the results of Ian Wood’s life-long immersion into the events in Burgundy AD 450-535 Burgundy, 450-535.Politics and religion in the Gibichung Province. By Ian Wood Series: Saggi di Storia Antica vol 38 “L’Erma” di Bretschneider 2026 This book examines the early medieval Burgundian polity, which… Read more

Preparation of medicine from honey or syrup from an Iraqi manuscript of Dioscorides’ De Materia Medica, 1224. The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Medieval Cookbooks from Syria, Egypt and El Andalus

10/01/2026

Exotic spices, fruits, vegetables and syrups were desired and coveted in the Late Middle Ages, and avidly imported. Cookbooks from the Levant and Al Andalus teaches us how to cook and recreate the feasts of 1001 nights Read more

Port of Genoa 1481. By Christoforo Grassi. © Galata Maritime Museum. Source: Wikipedia

‘The Desire for Syria in Medieval England

10/01/2026

Silks, spices, fruits, jewels, glass… desired and coveted exotica were luxury products out of Syria in the Late Middle Ages. New Book by Myerson tells the story The Desire for Syria in Medieval England by E. K. Myerson Cambridge University Press 2025 This book explores how desire for Syrian luxury… Read more

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