1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Medieval History

Medieval History: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Beowulf Quiz
Beowulf Quiz Here are 25 questions to test your knowledge of the poem Beowulf and its history. Don't
Death Defined
A graphic description of Black Death symptoms and causes of the disease.
Pimbley B Terms
From Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry, the fourth of five pages of heraldic terms beginning with the letter B. Pimbley's Dictionary of Heraldry is in the public domain.
Medieval Clip Art
A collection of medieval-themed clip art, including shields, swords, knights and ladies, created by your Guide.
A Medieval Atlas
Find the map you need or explore some fascinating pieces of the past.
Beowulf
Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem in the English language and the earliest piece of vernacular European literature.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of Constantinople - Byzantine Capital City in Maps
A selection of maps depicting Constantinople in Medieval times.
Renaissance Love Poems
English love poems of the Renaissance era by six poets.
The Black Death
A quick introduction to the horrific plague of the 14th century known as the Black Death, with links to further resources, here at the Medieval History site.
Medieval Atlas - Map of Constantinople
A map of Constantinople at the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of All of Europe - Medieval European History in Maps
An index of continental maps of Europe and maps that depict portions of Europe during the Middle Ages.
El Cid
El Cid - National Hero of Spain - Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar
Defining the Middle Ages
When did the Middle Ages start and end? A look at some of the many different ways this much-misunderstood era is defined
David in Bronze
Sculpture of the David in Bronze by Donatello
Medieval Atlas - Europe - A Directory to Medieval European Maps on the Web
An index of maps that depict Europe and the nations within it during the Middle Ages.
Medieval Christmas Traditions
Christmas traditions that began or evolved during the Middle Ages.
King Richard I of England
King Richard I of England was known as Lionheart for his courage and prowess on the battlefield.
The Book of Kells
The Book of Kells is a stunningly beautiful manuscript from the early Middle Ages containing the Four Gospels. This introduction provides information about the origins and history of the book, its construction, and a modern reconstruction, and offers suggested reading.
The Black Death Comes to Europe, 1347
Map of the route the Black Death took to arrive in Europe in 1347
Clip Art Castles
Castle graphics, icons, castle images, towers, walls,castle clip art
Harold Godwinson - King Harold II of England
King Harold Godwinson was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England.
Charlemagne Facts
This study guide offers general information to help you learn about Charlemagne. Here are some important facts about Charlemagne's birth and family, conquests and campaigns, administration, cultural impact and legacy.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of Byzantium - The Eastern Roman Empire in Maps
An index of maps that depict all or portions of the Eastern Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.
Crusades Basics
A simple introduction to Crusades history, offering a rundown of the basics of the significant religious wars of the Middle Ages.
King Edward I of England - Longshanks
Basic information and useful websites about King Edward I of England.
Welcome to the Middle Ages!
An introduction to Medieval History and the marvelous subjects it includes.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of England - Medieval English History in Maps
An index of maps that depict England throughout the Middle Ages.
Constantine the Great
Constantine the Great was the first Roman emperor to profess Christianity. Constantine's support of the religion would help transform it into the institution it would remain through the Middle Ages.
King William I of England - William the Conqueror
Basic information and useful websites about William the Conqueror.
Charlemagne Quiz
The Charlemagne Quiz Charlemagne Study Guide     Here are ten questions to test your knowledge of the
The F-Word
Feudalism was once considered the prevailing social system of medieval Europe. But most medievalists have serious problems with both the term and the concept it describes.
King Louis IX
The popular King Louis IX was the only French king ever to be made a saint.
Donatello
Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi, called Donatello, was one of the foremost sculptors of the Italian Renaissance. He was a master of both marble and bronze, and had an extensive knowledge of ancient sculpture.
The History of Algebra
The first mention of the word algebra is to be found in the title of a work by Mahommed ben Musa al-Khwarizmi, who flourished about the beginning of the 9th century.
What Made Charles So Great?
An introduction to the life of Charlemagne and his impact on European history.
Charlemagne Biography
This study guide offers general information to help you learn about Charlemagne. This overview is an introductory biography of the important Frankish king.
Leif Ericsson
A profile of Leif Ericsson, the Scandinavian explorer who visited North America around the year 1000. Leif also governed Greenland and was a devout convert to Christianity.
Erik the Red
Erik the Red founded the first European settlement on Greenland.
Abu Bakr
Abu Bakr was the closest friend and companion of Muhammad and the first Muslim caliph. He was one of the first men to convert to Islam, and was chosen by the Prophet as his companion on the hijrah to Medina.
Charlemagne
Charlemagne consolidated a large portion of Europe under his rule, promoted learning, and instituted innovative administrative concepts.
Medieval Atlas - Cities and Towns - Medieval Town and CityMaps
An index of maps that focus on individual cities and towns in the Middle Ages.
Portrait of King John of England
A public-domain image of King John of England, free for your use at the Medieval and Renaissance History Portrait Gallery.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of Britain - Medieval British History in Maps
An index of maps that depict all or portions of the British Isles during the Middle Ages.
Spread of the Black Death
A series of maps by your guide depicting how the dreaded 14th-century plague spread through Europe
King John of England
During his reign, King John of England was forced to sign the Magna Carta and lost most of England's possessions in France.
The Medieval Child, Part5
The fifth in a series of articles exploring the status and daily life of children in the Middle Ages, Part 5 examines education during adolescence.
Origins of Plague
Map of the possible origins of the 14th-century plague and the route it took to Europe.
The Beowulf Story
A description of the events that transpire in the Old English Epic poem, Beowulf.
Amerigo Vespucci - Explorer - Navigator
Amerigo Vespucci was a merchant and navigator who confirmed through astronomical observations that the lands Columbus had encountered were an entirely separate continent.
Charlemagne Timeline
This study guide offers general information to help you learn about Charlemagne. The timeline of Charlemagne's life provides a chronological listing of significant events in the Frankish king's life and reign.
Dark Legacy
How centuries of war in the name of Christianity began with one man's ambition.
Medieval Atlas - Political Map of Europe in 1346
A map of Europe depicting the political boundaries of Europe in 1346, just before the Black Death reached the continent, by your guide.
Medieval Underwear
What men and women wore under their clothing in the Middle Ages.
About Who's Who
A resource to help you find information on the web and off about significant individuals from the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Portrait of Michelangelo from The Hundred Greatest Men
Portrait of Michelangelo from The Hundred Greatest Men
The Medieval Child, Part 1
The first in a series of articles exploring the status and daily life of children in the Middle Ages, Part I examines the concept of childhood, the importance of children, and the question of affection in the medieval family.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of the Holy Roman Empire - Medieval Germany in Maps
An index of maps that depict all or portions of the Holy Roman Empire during the Middle Ages.
Knight Life Table of Contents
An index to the issues of Knight Life, our series about the daily life of the medieval knight.
A Medieval Christmas
What was it like to celebrate Christmas in the Middle Ages? An introduction by your Guide.
Pope Innocent III
Pope Innocent III was one of the most powerful and influential popes of the Middle Ages.
Clovis - Frankish King - Founder of the Merovingian Dynasty
Clovis was the founder of the Merovingian dynasty of Frankish kings, and became a Catholic instead of an Arian Christian.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of Asia - Medieval Asia in Maps
An index of maps that depict Asia or portions of Asia during the Middle Ages.
Medieval Atlas - Maps by Geographic Region
An index to help you find maps of the Middle Ages according to the geographical areas they represent.
The Medieval History Starter Quiz
A quick and easy quiz for newcomers to the Middle Ages.
The Medieval History Starter Quiz - Question One
The Medieval History Starter Quiz Question 1 There are no precise, incontrovertible dates to define the
King Henry III of England
King Henry III of England was the first English monarch to be crowned while still a child.
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus made a historic voyage in 1492, searching for a westward route to the treasures of the east and instead encountering a new world.
General Knowledge Quiz - Medieval History
General Knowledge Quiz Here are ten questions on a variety of topics from the Middle Ages. How well do
Primary Characters in Beowulf
Brief descriptions of the most significant figures of the Beowulf poem.
Jeanne d'Arc and the archangel Michael
Manuscript images, statues, post-medieval portraits and other images associated with Joan of Arc, the Maid of Lorraine.
The Carmina Burana
The Carmina Burana is a collection of plays and songs found in a medieval German manuscript.
The Medieval Child
An index to our series of articles about childhood in the Middle Ages.
Alchemy in the Middle Ages
An introduction to the proto-science of alchemy, its origins and history, the goals and achievements of medieval alchemists, its disreputable associations, and some recommended reading from your Guide.
Harun al-Rashid - Abbasid Caliph
Harun al-Rashid was the fifth Abbasid caliph. He and his fabulous court at Baghdad are immortalized in The Thousand and One Nights.
Famous Medieval Couples
A survey of some of the most famous -- and not-so-famous -- couples in Medieval and Renaissance history and fiction.
Knight Life #5: A Castle in the Background
The castle was an integral part of a knight's life.
The Medieval and Renaissance History Portrait Gallery
A collection of portraits of individuals from Medieval and Renaissance History.
Portrait of Dante Alighieri
A public-domain portrait of Dante Alighieri, free for your use at the Medieval and Renaissance History Portrait Gallery.
Medieval Atlas - Sixteenth Century Maps - Chronological Map Index
Maps of political boundaries as they stood in the sixteenth century.
Charles Martel - Frankish Ruler
Charles Martel became Mayor of the Palace of Austrasia and succeeded in reuniting the Frankish realm.
Pope Gregory I
Gregory's influence was paramount in shaping the early medieval papacy. A monk, theologian, and Doctor of the Church, he has even been credited with originating Gregorian Chant.
The Medieval Child, Part 2
The second in a series of articles exploring the status and daily life of children in the Middle Ages, Part 2 examines childbirth and baptism.
Defining the Knight
Issue #1 of Knight Life: Who and what was the Medieval Knight?
Medieval Atlas - Maps of France - Medieval French History in Maps
An index of maps depicting all or portions of France during the Middle Ages.
Medieval Atlas - The Germanic Kingdoms and the East Roman Empire in 486
A map of Europe depicting the distribution of the Germanic tribes and the extent of the Eastern Roman empire in 486.
Medieval Atlas - Map of Europe at the Death of Charles the Great - 814
A map of the political divisions of Europe in the year 814.
Raphael Sanzio - Extraordinary Renaissance Artist
Raphael Sanzio is considered by many to have produced some of the world's most beautiful paintings. .
Introducing Knight Life
Introducing a semi-regular feature about the medieval knight.
Madonna and Child
Public-domain images from the Book of Kells, free for your use, here at the Medieval History site.
Saladin - Muslim Hero - Salah Ad-din Yusuf Ibn Ayyub
Salah Ad-din Yusuf Ibn Ayyub, or Saladin, was the most famous Muslim hero and a consummate military tactician.
Who's Who in Medieval History - Index by Profession: Rulers, Royalty & Nobility
Find a medieval historical figure by his role in society, from your About.com Guide
Alchemy
In the narrow sense of the word, alchemy is the pretended art of making gold and silver, but in its wider and truer significance it stands for the chemistry of the middle ages.
King Francis I of France
King Francis I of France is considered France's first Renaissance King.
The Truth of Arthur
Was he a real historical figure or just a myth? Can we ever know? An introduction to the historicity of King Arthur, from your guide.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of Iberia - Medieval Spain and Portugal in Maps
An index of maps that depict all or portions of Spain, Portugal, or the entire Iberian peninsula through the Middle Ages.
Frequently Asked Medieval History Questions
Frequently asked questions about medieval history, from your About.com Guide
The Chaucer Quiz
Test your knowledge of Geoffrey Chaucer's life and poetry in this quick quiz.
Knights Templar
A concise introduction to the origins, expansion, organization and downfall of the Templars, the warrior monks who defended pilgrims in the Holy Land.
Keepers of Knowledge
How knowledge and learning survived in the Middle Ages.
King Henry IV of England
King Henry IV of England usurped the English crown from Richard II, beginning the Lancastrian dynasty and planting the seeds of the Wars of the Roses.
Decorated Initial
Public-domain image of a Decorated Initial from the Book of Kells, free for your use, here at the Medieval History site.
Medieval Terms Quiz
A quiz about Medieval Terms to tease your brain.: sans serif font medieval terms history quizzes document url medieval history
Renaissance Poetry: William Shakespeare
A poem from the Renaissance era by William Shakespeare, from your Mining Co. Guide
Medieval Atlas - Map of a Medieval Manor
A map of Constantinople at the end of the Byzantine Empire and the beginning of the Ottoman Empire.
Byzantine Emperor Alexius Comnenus
Alexius Comnenus was emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire at the time of the First Crusade.
Realistic Medieval Films
Your Guide's choice of ten films that effectively blend realism and good storytelling in a medieval setting.
Who's Who in Medieval History: Index by Profession: Writers,Dramatists and Poets
A directory of individuals in our Who's Who resource who wrote poetry, drama, fiction, history, science, theology or philosophy.
The Great Mortality, Part 1
What was the Black Death, and why should we study it?
Richard the Lionheart
A biography of King Richard I of England, known as Richard the Lionheart.
Free Online Jigsaw Puzzles
A collection of free jigsaw puzzles for you to solve online, right here at the Medieval History site.
Painting by Jacopino del Conte
Portrait of Michelangelo by Jacopino del Conte
A Medieval Love Story
Peter Abelard and his student, Heloise, engaged in a true-life romance in the 12th-century.
First Page of the Beowulf Manuscript
A public-domain image of the first page of the Beowulf manuscript, free for your use at the Medieval and Renaissance History Manuscript Image Gallery.
Young King Henry VIII
Portrait of Henry VIII in early manhood by an unknown artist.
Forge a Sword
a simple how-to on pattern-welding a sword in the early middle ages
Eleanor of Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine, Queen of France and later England, was arguably the most powerful woman of High Medieval Europe.
Top Books about Templar Knight
Your Guide's choices for the best books that offer factual historical information about the Templar Knights, the warrior monks of the Crusades.
Medieval Atlas - Maps of London - Medieval London in Maps
An index of maps depicting London throughout the Middle Ages.
King Richard III of England - Who's Who in Medieval History
Basic information and useful websites about King Richard III of England.
Medieval Atlas - Fifteenth Century Maps - Chronological Map Index
Maps of political boundaries as they stood in the fifteenth century.
General Crusades Books
Books that focus on the Crusades in general, and are not limited to a single Crusade.
Four Evangelist Symbols
Public-domain images of the Four Evangelist Symbols from the Book of Kells, free for your use, here at the Medieval History site.
The Spread of the Black Death through Italy
A map depicting the Spread of the Black Death through Italy in the 14th century, by your Guide.
Portrait of Anne Boleyn
A public-domain portrait of Anne Boleyn, free for your use at the Medieval and Renaissance History Portrait Gallery.
Peter the Hermit - Leader of the Crusade of the Poor People
Peter the Hermit is considered one of the main instigators of the First Crusade. Before the Crusades got officially underway, Peter the Hermit led the Crusade of the Poor People.
Who's Who in Medieval History - Special Index - English Monarchs
A dynastic table of English kings, from Egbert of Wessex to Elizabeth I.
Saint Patrick
One of the patron saints of Ireland, Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to the Emerald Isle.
Ibn Khaldun
Ibn Khaldun is generally considered the greatest Arab historian as well as the father of Sociology and the science of History
King Henry VIII of England
Henry VIII's political maneuverings resulted in a break with the Catholic Church and the launch of the English Reformation.
The Forgotten Empire
After Rome fell, Byzantium lasted another thousand years. A brief look at a forgotten empire.
Petrarch - Founder of Renaissance Humanism - Francesco Petrarca
One of the most influential poets of the Middle Ages, Petrarch is generally considered the founder of Renaissance Humanism.
The Quest for Conquest Quiz
The Quest for Conquest Quiz What do you really know about the Norman Conquest? This quiz will test your
Post-Roman Britain Quiz
Post-Roman Britain Quiz How well do you know early British history? Test your knowledge with these ten
Medieval Atlas - Settlements of Angles Saxons and Jutes in Britain about 600
A map of Saxon settlements in Britain around the year 600.
King Henry II of England - Henry Plantagenet
Henry made important changes in English law and achieved some expansion of his territories throughout his reign.
King Louis IX of France
A straightforward narrative of the life and reign King Louis IX, also Saint Louis.
The Signature of Joan of Arc
The signature of Jehanne.
A Swift Strike
A map depicting the spread of the Black Death from January to June, 1348
Daily Life Books
While the details of day-to-day existence varied substantially from place to place and century to century, a general understanding of the basic facts of medieval life can be gleaned from these useful and enjoyable books.
Medieval History Quizzes from Your Guide
Quizzes about medieval topics devised by your About.com Guide
Splendor in Medieval Africa
A brief introduction to the medieval kingdom of Mali and the splendid African society that flourished there.
Europe on the Eve of Plague
A map depicting the political boundaries of nations in Europe in the year 1346, from your Guide.
King Edward II of England - Edward of Caernarvon
King Edward II of England was a highly unsuccessful king.
Nicolau Copernicus - The Founder of Modern Astronomy
The work of Nicolau Copernicus had significant and far-reaching effects in the evolution of scientific thought.
Medieval Atlas - Map of England - 700
A map of England after the English Conquest, c. 700.
The Bayeux Tapestry
This priceless artifact of the Norman Conquest details events leading up to the Battle of Hastings and the battle itself.
The Medieval Child, Part 3
The third in a series of articles exploring the status and daily life of children in the Middle Ages, Part 3 examines life for the infant and a child's chances of survival.
Alexandria
Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was a Greek center in Egypt. In the early Middle Ages, Alexandria was a center of Arian heresy and underwent invasions by Arabs.
Books about Medieval Knights
An accurate picture of the medieval knight is not easy to draw. Here are books that succeed in separating fact from fantasy and in providing a fairly clear look at the historical knight of the Middle Ages.
Medieval Atlas - Map of the France in 1453
From the Historical Atlas by William R. Shepherd, 1923, a map of France in 1453.

Explore Medieval History

About.com Special Features

A Smarter Future

Tips that will help finance your education, excel in the classroom, and advance your career. More >

How to Ace the GRE

Being well prepared is the first step; here are more essential suggestions. More >

  1. Home
  2. Education
  3. Medieval History

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.