Tag Archives: Births
Episcopal Virginity in Medieval England
Introduction: In his classic study of medieval sainthood, André Vauchez outlines the qualities which characterised a saint-bishop in mid-twelfth-century Europe: ‘He was not expected to perform ascetic exploits or shine as a scholar, but be sober and temperate. What was … Continue reading
From Dog Bites to Amputations: 14th century Surgery
Henri de Mondeville (c. 1260 – 1316) was the surgeon to two kings of France – Philip IV and Louis X. In 1312 he wrote Cyrurgia (Surgery), one of the first works of its kind from the Middle Ages. Based … Continue reading
The Beaufort Legitimacy
You would think that as the author of a book called ‘The House of Beaufort; the Bastard Line that Captured the Crown’, my answer to the question, ‘were the Beauforts illegitimate’, would be a resounding yes. The clue is in … Continue reading
10 Great Tips from the Middle Ages
How to Sleep, How to take care of your cat, how to tell if someone is not dead! Medieval people give their advice on just about anything! From the new book ‘Ask the Past: Pertinent and Impertinent Advice from Yesteryear‘ … Continue reading
The Shortest Reigns of the Middle Ages
Reaching the throne was one thing, staying on it another! Here is our list of ten medieval rulers who had very short reigns (as little as one day) and who often came to end by bloody means.
England’s Grand Mothers
Most of England’s medieval royal women were mothers. After all, babies were an important part of the unwritten job description. Only a small number of those medieval royal mothers, however, achieved the next step. Active and engaged grandmothers were … Continue reading
10 Facts on Motherhood and Children in the Middle Ages
In honour of Mother’s Day here is ten facts about Motherhood and Childhood based on Jeffrey L. Singman’s The Middle Ages: Everyday Life in Medieval Europe. The book offers a great glimpse into life in the Middle Ages from the perspective of … Continue reading