Medieval Ghosts
Medieval ghosts appeared in different forms under different circumstances. At first they were pale harbingers of dire warnings. Later, they turned into scary and macabre beings. Don’t be afraid. Be very afraid… and read more
Feeding the Dead – All Souls’ Day and the Italian Foods
25/10/2026From ancient Greek offerings to medieval Christian commemorations, the ritual foods of southern Italy reveal a remarkable relationship between the remembrance of the dead Read more
Byland Abbey Ghosts
31/10/2020This year, no guising and souling. Most children will be kept at home. So how to keep the poor sweet things occupied? Try telling them medieval ghost stories! Read more
Ghost Stories from Byland Abbey
31/10/2020The Byland Abbey Ghost stories from c. 1400 offer us precious glimpses of local life in Yorkshire in and around one of the great abbeys. Read more
Living with the Dead
31/10/2015In the Middle Ages Polish priests and theologians fought to eradicate old and traditional ways of cohabiting with the dead. It does not seem af if they have succeeded yet. Read more
The Ransom of the Soul
05/05/2015In his latest book, Peter Brown explores the transition of the Christian ideas of afterlife from AD 250 – 650. Read more
Sweets for Souls
31/10/2014Here are the recipes for cakes of all sorts, which seem to have been part of the early celebrations of All Saints and All Souls Read more
Saints and Souls
31/10/2013Between 1024 and 1033 the monks at Cluny began commemorating the dead souls on the day after All Saints Read more
Souling
31/10/2013Medieval traditions like the distribution of soul cakes at the root of Halloween… Read more