Thomas Becket: The Troublesome Priest
Struggles between the Church under the Popes and the monarchy were a significant feature throughout the Middle Ages. One of the most dramatic conflicts...
Medieval England and Vikings: The Culmination of the Viking Influence on England, Part 2
In the Danelaw and Northumbria, a sense of independence from the rest of England evolved that would later cause the Normans to be harsher...
Cleanliness and Sanitation in the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages are often seen as a time when there was little knowledge about health and sanitation. But, attempts were made to keep...
The Battle of Fulford, Near York, 20 Sep 1066
The Battle of Fulford, which took place five days before that of Stamford Bridge, saw invader Harald of Norway outnumber and gain victory over...
Hidden Details of the Bayeux Tapestry
The Bayeux Tapestry is one of the most valuable historical records available to us. Created as a celebratory work shortly after the conquest of...
The Christmas Tradition of Wassailing
The word “wassail” originates from the Anglo-Saxon “waes hael” which means “to be whole or hale” and the phrase “hale and hearty” comes from...
The Buildings That Made up a Medieval Monastery
A medieval monastery was viewed as a place of quiet contemplation, but was often home to dozens of men working in various capacities.
Whilst the...
A Brief History of the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages
The Roman Catholic Church sprung from a decaying Roman Empire and promoted health and stability in a medieval Europe torn by war and uncertainty.
The...
Modern and Medieval Thought
To understand and assess rational thought and its importance to Christianity, medieval thinkers investigated the literature of Plato and Aristotle. The outcome of their...
Life in a Medieval Town
The medieval town was a busy and vibrant place, which had strict regulations to control trade and industry, and law and order.
During the...