The medieval friar who was the victim of a hit-and-run: Skeleton from before 14th century unearthed

The skeleton of a friar with two broken legs resembling a medieval ‘hit and run’, probably from a cart accident that killed him, has been unearthed by Cambridge archaeologists.  The team from the University of Cambridge were examining skeletal trauma from 314 skeletons buried at three locations in the city between the 10th and 14th … Read more

Almost HALF of working class people in medieval England suffered broken bones

Working class people in medieval Cambridge lived hard lives that meant they were far more likely to suffer serious physical injury that the upper echelons of society, a new study reveals.  It found nearly half (44 per cent) of people on the lowest rung of the social ladder from the 10th to 14th centuries suffered … Read more

Early Medieval Europe was surprisingly well connected, study reveals

Practice of burying the dead WITHOUT grave goods spread quickly though Western Europe during the early Medieval era – suggesting the region was surprisingly well connected In the 6th century, almost all burials included regionally-specific grave goods However, by the 8th century, this practice had all but disappeared   Study of 33,000 graves revealed that changes … Read more

Chinese coin hints at medieval trade between England and the Far East

An eleventh-century Chinese coin unearthed in Hampshire provides new evidence of a bustling trade in luxury goods from the Far East more than 700 years ago. The copper coin, which was found at Buriton, Hampshire, around nine miles from the coast, weighs 0.12 ounces (3.6g) and has a diameter of just under an inch (25mm).  Researchers … Read more

Clinics charge £300 for ‘medieval’ virginity testing, MP reveals

Clinics charge £300 for ‘medieval’ virginity testing, an MP has revealed as he launched a bid to outlaw the practice. Conservative Richard Holden cited the World Health Organisation and said there is ‘no scientific evidence at all’ to support the tests. He said 21 clinics have been identified in the UK and charge between £150 and … Read more

Climate change to blame for wiping out Central Asia’s medieval river civilisations 700 years ago 

Climate change – not Genghis Khan – was to blame for wiping out Central Asia’s medieval river civilisations 700 years ago, a new study claims.  UK researchers investigated the river channels around the Aral Sea in Central Asia, which was historically a vast body of water but is now a fraction of its former size.  Hundreds … Read more

Man wearing medieval clothes and armed with a sword stabs at least five in Quebec

At least two are killed and five seriously injured after a man in ‘medieval clothes’ and armed with a sword goes on the rampage outside parliament in Quebec City ‘before being arrested’ By Keith Griffith For Dailymail.com Published: 05:11 GMT, 1 November 2020 | Updated: 05:57 GMT, 1 November 2020 Two people have been killed … Read more

French square in Emily in Paris bears its name from medieval torture method

Ow-la-la! Chic French square where Lily Collins’ character lives in TV series Emily In Paris bears its name from a medieval method of torture The main character lives in the Maison Moreau in the 5th Arrondissement  Thousands were maimed and killed in the square in years before the Revolution Place de l’Estrapade named after a … Read more

Joan Collins, 87, begins work on new medieval drama series Glow and Darkness

Joan Collins has given fans a look at her new role in medieval drama series Glow and Darkness, which also stars Denise Richards and Jane Seymour. The 87-year-old actress is set to play Adelaide of Maurienne, a 12th century queen of France as the second wife of King Louis VI.  Taking to Instagram on Monday, the … Read more

Examples of medieval drawings of animals that look nothing like the living thing 

You won’t find them in the zoo! These medieval drawings of animals look VERY different to the real thing UK-based Daniel Holland has shared example of Medieval drawings of animals Artists behind these sketches clearly had never seen the beasts were drawing  One drew an owl with a human face while another drew beaver with … Read more