Roman and early medieval scientific texts were read and studied, contributing to the understanding of nature in...
Medieval
There is a suggestion that the name is in fact a veiled pun on a Low German...
The people of early modern Europe sought to use magic to manipulate the world around them. By...
The word “folklore” was coined in 1846 CE by the British writer William John Thoms to replace...
Characterizing the Middle Ages as a period of darkness is misleading. Introduction So much of what the...
Æthelstan was the first ruler of the whole kingdom of England. Æthelstan was the grandson of King...
Jousting fell out of fashion by the end of the Middle Ages, but there were occasional revivals...
Texts and images produced throughout the medieval world reveal that harp music could elicit powerful responses. Infernal...
The culture of antiquity played an important role in the literary and artistic endeavors of the Middle...
The powers of saints were believed to extend to their images. By Dr. Wendy A. SteinResearch AssociateDepartment...
The Golden Legend often blends traditional stories about the saints with historical facts, as seen in the...
The text is a detailed account of a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and Mount Sinai, originally written by...
Dante primarily intended to explain biblical justice through his contrapasso. By Joseph KameenArtist and Educator Contrapasso is...
Dante’s written works are a heady mix of philosophy, politics, and literature. Introduction Dante Alighieri (1265-1321 CE)...
According to East Slavic chronicles, Oleg was supreme ruler of the Rus’ from 879 to 912. Introduction...
The Rurik dynasty (or Rurikids) went on to rule the Kievan Rus’, and ultimately the Tsardom of...
The needs of the times have always influenced office space – whether for the colonial empire or...
Most Cistercian abbeys and churches were built in remote valleys far from cities and populated areas. Introduction...
Christianity had developed as a religious idea in Roman Palestine and slowly spread throughout the Empire. By...
A bestiary, or “book of beasts”, was an attempt to describe the world as it was known...
These deluxe bindings are known as treasure bindings, because of their lavish and high-quality materials and craftsmanship....
The very concept of “woman” changed in a number of ways during the Middle Ages. Introduction Women...
Bologna remained a preeminent center for legal study and training for many centuries. Introduction The origins of...
All Imperial Estates enjoyed immediacy and, therefore, they had no authority above them besides the Holy Roman...
During the sede vacante in 1241, Frederick II blocked the arrival of some cardinal electors known to...
This hoax has resulted in the arrest and killing of Jews throughout history. Introduction Blood libel or...
Pluck. Crush. Cork. Medieval calendars remind us that September is the month for making wine. If planting...
Medieval people called it “the blue sickness”, “La pest” (the pestilence), and “the Great Mortality”. NOTE: Hover...
In medieval times natural phenomena, such as comets and eclipses, were regarded as portents of natural disasters,...
Not until the 1800s did such masks become valued for themselves. Introduction A death mask is a...