A History of The Lindisfarne Gospels
The Lindisfarne Gospels are an illustrated medieval manuscript created by a monk called Eadfrith who lived on the Island of Lindisfarne, England, in...
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...
Feudalism, the Stirrup and the Franks
Many works have attempted to define feudalism and its origins. In fact, it has been the subject most debated upon by social and legal...
Sources of Income for the Medieval Monastery
A medieval monastery is traditionally seen as a place of solitude and spirituality. Despite the individual poverty of monks, a monastery could be...
Capital Crimes and Punishment – Medieval Execution Methods
Modern methods of execution have at times been referred to as "cruel and unusual punishment". This article reviews ancient and medieval execution methods.
There...
Battlefield! Hotspur and Henry IV at the Battle of Shrewsbury
After the Battle of Shrewsbury, on July 21st, 1403, it was reported that the fields could not be seen beneath the sheer volume of...
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...
Music in Medieval Times
The songs, musical instruments and performers who entertained all classes of society, from drinkers in alehouses, through to aristocracy in the royal courts.
In...
The “Millenial Panic” of 1000 A.D. That Never Was
As December 2012 was - the date that many believe marks a sort of "ending of time" (as we know it), according to an...
Celtic Christmas Traditions
Over the centuries, the holiday traditions evolved and morphed into the festival Christmas is today. Of course the commercialization is the most recent development...