medieval life
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Sky news reports: A medieval church tower has been suspended 45ft (14 metres) above the ground as part of a building project in the City of London. The tower of the 700-year-old All Hallows Staining Church was balanced on stilts in what developers called a “never seen before feat of engineering”. It was raised above…
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Summary of a talk by Laura Cardy Shortly after joining the Richard III Society, I was invited to contribute to The Missing Princes Project, initiated by Philippa Langley. My task focused on an intriguing question: might St John’s Abbey in Colchester have played a role in the fate of Richard of York, the younger of…
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They present a summary of some of the current articles in the Ricardian Bulletin. Here is what is in the current episode: Episode 4: ‘Maximilian I, Richard III and the Princes in the Tower’ In the latest edition of The Ricardian Podcast we are joined by historian, presenter and author Matthew Lewis and Wendy Moorhen,…
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York is a city full of history, wherever you look and Lendal Cellars is one such place. If you have ever visited the Cellars, you’re entering right into York’s medieval undercroft. It has wonderful vaulted brick ceilings and chunky stone blocks that are all that remains of the Austin Friary that was once on the…
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by Ian Wilson Why do the Wars of the Roses feel like endless vendettas? At first glance, because the language of honour hadn’t changed: nobles still cried, “My blood has been offended,” or “My lineage must be avenged.” That patina of chivalry, though, concealed something very different. The talk set out to understand why so…
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My local group, the Mid-Anglia, recently held our AGM at the White Hart (Toby Carvery) in Colchester, and combined it with a lunch meeting and a couple of relevant presentations. It was very convivial and informative. The presentations were on St John’s Abbey, Colchester and Henry VII’s suspicious interest in it and the differences in…
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Recently I came across an archaeological article which I found very interesting as it had similarities to Richard III’s finding and identification. Duke Bela of Macso was a young Hungarian nobleman who was assassinated, aged approximately 25, in 1272. On August 6, King Stephen died, and his young son, Ladislaus, IV ascended the throne. Infighting…
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Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is another fascinating medieval herb with a rich history! Here are some interesting facts about vervain: Magical and Superstitious Uses Sacred herb: Vervain was considered a sacred herb in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and was associated with the gods. Protection and purification: The herb was believed to offer protection against evil…
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Medieval buildings uncovered for the first time at the Tower of London. As part of preparations for installing a lift outside the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula, we have undertaken an important archaeological excavation to record and preserve the fascinating histories beneath our feet. Go to this link on the Tower of London Facebook…
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When a medieval craftsman was denied his wages, he turned to stone to exact his revenge in a way that would echo through centuries. Atop Freiburg Minster resides a notorious gargoyle that serves a dual purpose: not only does it effectively channel rainwater, but it also embodies a spirit of defiance. According to historical accounts,…
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