Medieval History Resources
Welcome to Medieval History Resources Part 2 of our journey through captivating medieval history resources! Building upon the intriguing discoveries of Medieval History Resources Part 1, we continue to unearth a trove of knowledge that illuminates the enigmatic world of the Middle Ages.
Prepare to be transported back in time as we explore an array of invaluable references, engaging literature, and immersive multimedia sources that shed light on the fascinating aspects of this pivotal era. Whether you are a seasoned historian, an avid enthusiast, or simply curious about the medieval past, this compilation is sure to captivate your imagination and deepen your understanding of this rich and complex period. Let’s embark on this enthralling expedition together, delving deeper into the past and uncovering hidden gems that bring the Middle Ages to life!
The Dictionary of Medieval Names from European Sources aims to document all given names recorded in European sources written between 500 and 1600. New editions are published quarterly.
EMC (the Corpus of Early Medieval Coin Finds) is a project based at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge that records single finds of coins dated between AD 410 and 1180. See our Contacts page for details of how to record your finds.
EMC (the Corpus of Early Medieval Coin Finds) is a project based at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge that records single finds of coins dated between AD 410 and 1180. See our Contacts page for details of how to record your finds.Some other highlights include the Harley Golden Gospels, Beowulf, the Silos Apocalypse, Leonardo da Vinci’s Notebook, the Petit Livre d’Amour and the Golf Book.
The Medieval and Early Modern Data Bank from Rutgers University provides access to data on European currency exchange and commodities prices from the 13th through the 18th centuries. There are five large data sets, three pertaining to currency exchanges and two pertaining to prices. Even if familiar with medieval European currencies, it behooves visitors to read the introduction before conducting a search of its extensive records.
The Pinakes database brings together the manuscript tradition of Greek texts prior to the 16th century , mainly from the catalogs of libraries around the world.
It was incorporated from 1971 at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies in Toronto . Since 1993, the Greek Section of the Institute for Research and History of Texts , in Paris, has managed it and continues to enrich it.
The database was first put online in 2008.
Dozens of photos of European, Middle Eastern, and East Asian castles. Students are taught five key design objects of a castle and are challenged to identify how cultures across the globe build their castles differently, yet meet the same goals. See the bottom of the page for an large index of resources related to castles and manor houses.
The Corpus of Anglo-Saxon Stone Sculpture identifies, records and publishes in a consistent format, English sculpture dating from the 7th to the 11th centuries. Much of this material was previously unpublished, and is of crucial importance in helping identify the earliest settlements and artistic achievements of the early medieval and Pre-Norman English. The Corpus documents the earliest Christian field monuments from free-standing carved crosses and innovative decorative elements, to grave-markers.
Through this British Library collection visitors can see how Britain’s “shape and contours” were uncovered by the world between 800 and 1600. Included is a curator introduction with personal highlights from the collection, including Anglo-Saxon Mappa Mundi. The ‘Anglo-Saxon’ map sets out the boundaries of some Saxon kingdoms and identifies refuges of ancient Britons in Wales, Cumberland, Brittany and Cornwall. Each manuscipt is accompanied by a brief introduction and can be view as zoomable Flash file and a printable image. You can also search the collection.
This BBC site follows a long historical exploration of the Routes of English with Voices of the Powerless, in which Melvyn Bragg explores the lives of the ordinary working men and women of Britain at six critical moments across the last 1,000 years. This audio-episode deals with the decade following the conquest of the north of England and the notherners suffering from the retribution which William’s men inflicted – the so-called harrying of the north, which began in 1069.
This ineractive site allows students to view annotated sections of the famous tapestry. The site also includes a brief history of the tapestry’s preservation, and a good number of interactive Flash activites.
This web site from the University of Chicago explores two popular medieval texts — one a courtly romance, the other a treatise on medieval society. Along with full-color versions of Le Roman de la Rose (The Romance of the Rose) and Le Jeu des échecs moralisé (The Moralized Game of Chess) — which you can zoom in and out — there are brief essays that provide visitors with an understanding of the manuscripts’ historical origins and production.
Historyteacher.net offers 1000s of links to great web sites and primary source documents. Just pick a topic and go to that page where you will find a large number of links that can be used for research and study. You will also be directed to in-depth, detail-linked class assignments on several topics.
This extensive BBC offering presents the Middle Ages as a period of “massive social change, burgeoning nationalism, international conflict, terrible natural disaster, climate change, rebellion, resistance and renaissance.” The site is essentially a series of extended essays by various academics accompanied by related images.There are seven main sections: Overview; Henry II; John and Richard; Hundred Years War, The Black Death, Richard II, House of Lancaster and York; and Art & Architecture. A useful introduction to the period, though lacking in user interactivity.
This page is meant to be a guide to resources available on the Web for people who are interested in the history, culture, literature, and re-creation of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
In this National Archives podcast explores whether the signing of the Treaty of Troyes in 1420 was Henry V’s greatest victory.
Don Donn of the Corkran (Maryland) Middle School provides a complete unit with 17 daily lesson plans and unit test for sixth graders. There are also links to multiple K12 lesson plans and activities.
Find out more about Anglo-Saxon money by taking a closer look at the coins and the stories behind them. When you think you know enough, test yourself by playing ‘Coins’ and see if you can make money talk.
Part of the Norman Conquest exhibition.
There are 17 volumes of Essays in Medieval History from 1984 to 2000 available Published by the West Virginia University Press. EMS Volumes 18 to present are available only through Project MUSE, a paid subscription service.
This web site contains many articles on the landing of the Normans in England and provides several Domesday Maps that relate to the area where the Normans landed in 1066. It grew out of an enthusiast’s desire to know exactly where the Normans landed prior to the Battle of Hastings. Along with the maps are images and analyses of the Bayeux tapestry, arial surveys, and many misc. articles.
Past and Present Historical Research on English Heritage, Archaeology and Governance.
A comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales and the Islands.
This informative web site presents the history of the Celtic nations emerging in Britain after the withdrawal of the Romans in the ‘Dark Ages’. Main sections include Kingdoms, Royalty, Arthur, Architecture, Saints, and Adversaries. Content includes introductory and background articles on kingdoms and related topics.
The Murthy Hours was written and illuminated in Paris in the 1280s and is was one of the most richly decorated manuscripts in medieval Scotland. Courtesy of the National Library of Scotland you can view every page of the document in full-colour and read an accompanying background essay.
- UK National Historic Environment records
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
The Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin has created an engaging site about the Bible and the printing process. Of special note is the “Anatomy of a Page” section where varied pages in the Gutenberg Bible are explored and explained.
In this animated timeline you put the kings and queens of England, and later the United Kingdom, in their proper place. There are four periods to explore. The Plantagenets and the Houses of Lancaster and York are featured in the first period, the Tudors and Stuarts in the second, and the House of Hanover in the third. The timeline concludes with the Windsors.
The INS conducts numerous research projects into the origins and meanings of names and place-names, derived from English, Norse, British Celtic, French, and Latin languages. It also provides high-quality resources for both the study and analysis of place-names, which are used by historians, linguists, and geographers alike.
INS researchers collaborate with internal and external partners on a range of interdisciplinary projects, exploring the potential of place-names to further understanding of the historical development of society, landscape and environment.
Lesson plan from EDSITEment for grades 9-12 in which students read primary sources to understand Joan’s place in the history of the Hundred Years’ War.
This offering from the UK National Archives provides educational resources and activities aimed at students in Key Stages 1 through 5. Major topics include the Domesday Book, an important historical resource from the time of William the Conqueror. It also leads to National Archives images, including the Magna Charta, Treaty of Calais chest, Caxton’s Page (first printed page in England), and others.
The Portable Antiquities Scheme’s database holds records of archaeological finds discovered by members of the public. These are found while carrying out a wide range of activities including metal-detecting.
Take a look at events both before and after the Norman Conquest. This BBC site offers background, articles, multimedia, a chat forum, and more. Includes a Battle of Hastings game where users try different tactics available to William of Normandy and Harold Godwinson.
Mr. Dowling’s Electronic Passport helps kids browse the world in his virtual classroom. He introduces you to many civilizations with clear explanations, engaging graphics for kids, and “cool links”. His study guides, homework assignments, and exams are free and available for you to print or to edit.
This interactive British history timeline covers hundreds of events from the Neolithic to the present day.
A PBS Nova site, it describes and illustrates some of the major weapons and strategies used in what became a medieval arms race. Clear, easy to follow, and appropriate for young students.
Discover how the Palace of Westminster and churches throughout the country can be read to reveal the history of Britain.
In this National Archives podcast Terry Jones,( ‘Python’, historian, broadcaster, actor, director and comedian) attempts to rescue Richard II’s reputation and expose the turbulent world of 14th century politics.
This commercial service also offers much educational information, including an extensive castle photo gallery, castle trivia, information on myths, legends, and ghosts, and research tips.
From the Palaeolithic to the Norman Conquest, explore British archaeological sites and treasures from the past, then test yourself on the eras and events in the Ages of Treasure game.
This Nova Science interview Professor Richard Holmes, a British military historian talks about everyday life in a medieval English castle.
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