Medieval

Richard II and Thomas Mowbray, from Jean Froissart’s Chronicles, 15th century. British Library/Bridgeman Images.

The Last Testaments of Richard II and Henry IV

Tyrant and usurper: the last wills of Richard II and Henry IV give rare insight into the medieval monarchs who wore the crown.

Bishop Odo blesses the food and wine, detail from the Bayeux Tapestry, late 11th century. Bridgeman Images.

How to Rescue the Reputation of the Nasty Normans

The villains of British history, the Normans can be a difficult sell. But going off script has its rewards.

A woman working a nail on the anvil, from the Holkham Bible, England, c.1330. British Museum/Bridgeman Images.

The Women who Forged Medieval England

Who were the female blacksmiths of medieval England?

King John with his unsteady crown, from Matthew Paris’ Chronicle of England, c.1250. British Library/Bridgeman Images.

King John’s Lost Treasure

The loss of his treasure on the road to war was said to have brought about King John’s demise. What happened to it?

‘The moost mighty prynce Rychard’, from the Rous Roll, Warwick, 1483-85. British Library/Bridgeman Images.

Richard III and Kingly Justice for All?

Was Richard III a just king or just doing what a king should do?

Illustration of the constellation of the Dog Star Sirius, c.820-840. British Library/Bridgeman Images.

The Dog Days of Medieval Summer

For those learned in medieval medicine and astronomy, the dog days of July heralded dangerous times.

The seal of Robert Bruce, 1326. Bridgeman Images.

Robert the Bruce: Born To Be King?

Remembered today as a national hero, Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, had an upbringing which spanned Essex to Ulster. He was a hybrid king to the last.

A Viking Age ship scene on the Lärbro Stora Hammars I picture stone, c. 8th-10th century. Gotlands Museum. Mike Ferguson (CC BY).

‘Age of Wolf and Wind’ by Davide Zori review

Age of Wolf and Wind: Voyages through the Viking World by Davide Zori proves that if you want to understand the Vikings, you need to rove just as far.

An Egyptian ivory plaque showing two figures riding an elephant, c. 11th-12th century. Walters Art Museum (CC0).

‘The Emperor and the Elephant’ by Sam Ottewill-Soulsby review

The Emperor and the Elephant: Christians and Muslims in the Age of Charlemagne by Sam Ottewill-Soulsby surfaces Umayyad and Abbasid perspectives on their Frankish frenemies.

Map of Orkney, labelled in English (black) and Norwegian (red), c.1850. Najonalbibliotekets, Norway.

Orkney’s Saga: the Islands between Kingdoms

Is Orkney Scandinavian or Scottish? Having passed from the former to the latter during the Middle Ages, for centuries the Danish Crown sought to take the islands back.