Medieval Porridge or Frumenty
Porridge, a centuries old staple food, was originally the only way to obtain nutrition from grain, but with the arrival of bread, it...
Food in Medieval Times: What People Ate in the Middle Ages
The staple diet of medieval man was bread, meat and fish. What was eaten and how it was served varied considerably depending on social...
Common Land in England and Wales
There are still surprisingly large areas of land in England and Wales, both in cities and rural areas, that are classed as common land...
The Medieval City of Novgorod
Most histories of early medieval Russia, or Rus as it was then called, begin with the coming to Novgorod of the semi-legendary figure, Rurik.
The...
The Compostela Pilgrimage: the Welfare of Pilgrims
From the time they left their homes, swore an oath to remain loyal to their king, and were granted permission to travel by their...
The Valkyries: Guides to Valhala
The concept of the Valkyrie in Norse mythology evolved over time. At first they were creepy spirits of death that hovered carrion-like over the...
Towton: the Medieval Battle of the Somme
At Towton (1461), in a matter of hours, more English soldiers were butchered than Tommies who fell on the first day of the Somme...
A History of Medieval St Margaret’s Chapel in Edinburgh Castle
The tiny chapel of St Margaret is one of the most popular attractions at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. The tiny stone building stands high...
Feudalism in the Early Middle Ages
Feudalism, as a generalization, describes those forces in Western Europe during a period of transformation following the dissolution of the Roman Empire. The so-called...
The Avignon Papacy: Babylonian Captivity of the Church 1309 – 1377
The Avignon papacy, sometimes called the “Babylonian Captivity of the Church,” lasted from 1309 to 1377. This period reflected a growing loss of power...