The eel is a curious animal. Now listed on the international red list of threatened species, it used to be the ubiquitous food for small holders and poor peasants in the early middle ages
Category: Medieval Cultural History
Hoch and his family in Oakington
On the edge of the Fenlands at Oikington an Anglo-Saxon man named Hoch built a farm sometime in the 5th century. here, his family was buried
Celebrating ‘Democratic’ Victory in Medieval Armour
Ramzan Kadyrov, dressed in medieval armour, celebrated the winnings of Putin by 98% at a medieval style party in Grozny in the Russian republic of Chechnya
800th anniversary of Coronation of King Henry III
This year Gloucester celebrated the 800th anniversary of the Coronation of King Henry III with a re-enactment in Gloucester Cathedral
The Origin of Ambling Horses
Icelandic Viking horses are known for they ambling gait. Following the gene, scientists now suggest that the first Icelandic horses were in fact English
The Mercian Kingdom in Turmoil and the Staffordshire Hoard
Understanding the Staffordshire Hoard is not an easy task. Was it the stock of a goldsmith, hidden and then lost? A sacrifice of valuables from a vanquished enemy? Or the wilful burial of the wealth and symbols of the Mercians’ ancestors?
Mining in Medieval Sweden
The economic history of Medieval Sweden is entwined with the early development of proto-industrial iron works and mining in the region north of Stockholm.
Charles IV – Deft Politician or Sacral Ruler?
Charles IV was obsessed with collecting holy relics. Among these, the Royal Relics, assisted Charles in the creation of himself as a sacral king.
The Curious Mind of Charles IV
Charles IV was an extremely sensual person possessing a creative and curious mind. A vast number of sources witness to this remarkable leader
Prague – Centre Stage for Charles IV
Charles IV was a king obsessed with organising feasts and processions of all sorts. His rebuilding of Prague is a witness to this.
Tarascon and the Tarasque
Twice a year the Tarasque – a medieval river-monster – is dragged through the streets of Tarascon in memory of the heroic deed of St. Martha of Bethany
Tristan and Yseult at Tintagel
Links to the legends of Tristan and Yseult and not Arthur may have been the reason Richard I chose to built a castle there in 1225
New studies of DNA on the Turin Shroud?
The Turin Shroud is one of the most contested relics in Christianity. New article (2016) calls for renewed studies of the ancient DNA in the blood-stains
520.000 Medieval Charters and 8.600 Romanesque Churches
Mapping the distribution of medieval charters and Romanesque churches shows how written administration furnished the possibility for these building ventures
From Lejre to Roskilde
Around AD 1000 the royal seat in Lejre had lost its political power to the Jelling Dynasty, which founded a new royal centre at of Roskilde.
Islamic Arms and Armor in The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Islamic Arms and Armour were early on prestigious symbols of status, wealth, and power. New book beautifully presents the collection in the Met .