From gold dinars to copper fulus, medieval Islamic coins carried faith, power, and propaganda. How did this coinage system shape an empire from Spain to India?
Medieval History
What If Ethiopia’s Rock-Hewn Churches Ruled the Red Sea?
What if medieval Ethiopia, builder of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela, had become a Red Sea superpower? Three grounded scenarios and what they change.
The Oseberg Ship: Inside a Viking Queen’s Burial
The Oseberg ship was a 9th‑century Viking burial ship found almost perfectly preserved in Norway. Here’s who was buried in it, what was inside, and why it matters.
Knight of the Holy Roman Empire: Armor vs Fantasy
What did a real Holy Roman Empire knight actually wear and carry? Compare real medieval armor, helmets, weapons, and shields with the fantasy image you see online.
Raymond of Campania: An African Knight in Naples
The story of Raimondo de’ Cabanni, a former African slave who rose to become a knight, court insider, and landholder in 14th‑century Angevin Naples.
Are Medieval Historians Just Making Stuff Up?
Medieval history can look like guesswork. Here are 5 real methods historians use to get from scraps of evidence to solid claims about the Middle Ages.
What Medieval Royals Used as Toilet Paper
From straw to cotton cloth, here’s what medieval nobles and royals actually used to wipe in the 1300s, and why Henry IV’s cotton habit was unusual.
How Close Were Catholic and Orthodox Churches?
Were the Catholic and Orthodox churches ever really united in the Middle Ages after 1054? A clear look at origins, brief reunions, and why it kept failing.
How Realistic Are Medieval Movies, Really?
Which films and series show the Middle Ages most realistically? A historian breaks down armor, dirt, battles, women’s roles, and what Hollywood gets wrong.
What If Medieval Movies Were Actually Accurate?
What if Braveheart, Vikings, and other medieval movies were historically accurate? A grounded look at color, cleanliness, warfare, and religion on screen.