Greek Fire, St Francis of Assisi, and Female Crusaders: The Messy and Surprising Fifth Crusade
Thomas Smith's account of the Fifth Crusade is more than military history: it's a story about why people do extraordinary and terrible things, and how quickly things can unravel.
Let's Talk about Castles, from the Great Wall of China to Disney
Dan Jones's sweeping history of castles, from the Great Wall of China to Disney, is a rich and pleasurable read for history lovers.
Medieval True Crime: When a Corpse Solved Its Own Murder
In 1503 Switzerland, Hans Spiess was forced to touch his wife's corpse—if it bled, he was guilty. Discover the medieval bier ordeal trial.
Abortion in the Medieval Church: How Catholic Teaching Changed Over Centuries
St Augustine and Thomas Aquinas didn't consider early abortion equivalent to murder. How medieval Canon Law drew distinctions the modern Church has abandoned.
'Before she was in labour, she gave birth'
Explore how medieval theology imagined Mary's miraculous, painless childbirth—skipping labor entirely to preserve her virginal purity.
What are Secrets of Women?
Discover 'secrets of women'—early modern medical recipes for conception, menstruation, and childbirth, hidden in the mysterious feminine body.
Greek Fire, St Francis of Assisi, and Female Crusaders: The Messy and Surprising Fifth Crusade
Thomas Smith's account of the Fifth Crusade is more than military history: it's a story about why people do extraordinary and terrible things, and how quickly things can unravel.
Let's Talk about Castles, from the Great Wall of China to Disney
Dan Jones's sweeping history of castles, from the Great Wall of China to Disney, is a rich and pleasurable read for history lovers.
Medieval True Crime: When a Corpse Solved Its Own Murder
In 1503 Switzerland, Hans Spiess was forced to touch his wife's corpse—if it bled, he was guilty. Discover the medieval bier ordeal trial.
Abortion in the Medieval Church: How Catholic Teaching Changed Over Centuries
St Augustine and Thomas Aquinas didn't consider early abortion equivalent to murder. How medieval Canon Law drew distinctions the modern Church has abandoned.
'Before she was in labour, she gave birth'
Explore how medieval theology imagined Mary's miraculous, painless childbirth—skipping labor entirely to preserve her virginal purity.
What are Secrets of Women?
Discover 'secrets of women'—early modern medical recipes for conception, menstruation, and childbirth, hidden in the mysterious feminine body.