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Medieval Era Stories

Have you ever wondered what the medieval era was actually like? Aside from our culture's stereotypical impression of court jesters performing, knights saving damsels in distress, and kings and queens garbed in the fanciest regalia, of course. These stories look at what the historical records tell us about the medieval era: the religious wars, the torture methods ulilized as common punishments, revolts against class inequality, and more fascinating tidbits about what life was really like for people in those distant centuries.

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Free History Books to Download in June 2023

Explore classic nonfiction reads at no cost.

8 Fascinating Facts to Know About the Wars of the Roses

We're taking a look at this series of influential English civil wars.

10 Funniest Royal Names

From Constantine the Dung-Named to Charles the Bald.

14 Medieval Torture Devices and Methods That Date Back to the Ancient World

From the heretic's fork to being eaten alive by insects, these grisly old torture methods prove that humans have always been brutal.

The German Peasants’ War: A Bloody 16th-Century Uprising

Fed up with their working conditions, the serfs rebelled en masse.

8 Stunning Gothic Castles That You Can Visit

Built during the Middle Ages, these castles are still standing today.

Alchemy Was the Marketing Scheme of the Medieval World

Wealthy people were eager to believe the discipline's bold claims.

An Interview with Leigh Russell, Author of Abigail of Venice

We discuss what it's like to write historical fiction, her interest in medieval Europe, and more.

The Historical Origins of the Wizard Merlin

The legendary wizard in King Arthur's court has a surprisingly complex backstory.

Joan of England Was an Early Victim of the Black Death

Not yet familiar with the plague, her entourage underestimated its severity.

How the Black Death Led to the Peasants' Revolt

England’s 1381 uprising was fueled by unrest in the aftermath of a pandemic.

How Trota of Salerno, 12th-Century Female Gynecologist, Disappeared from History

The historical reputation of Trota through the years shows how the mores of a current society can restrict contemporary understanding of a figure from the past.

10 Must-Read Books About the Crusades

The Crusades, although the most defining conflicts of the medieval era, are often misunderstood. These books illuminate their true nature.

Genghis Khan's Tomb, Lost to This Day, is Protected by an Ancient Tribe of Nomads

Though even they don't know the tomb's precise location, the Darkhad continue to keep their leader's final resting place a treasured secret.

The Dirty Truth of Medieval Knighthood

Being a knight wasn't really about wooing fair maidens or grand quests—it was hard, dirty work.