Medieval History

Medieval institutions of representative government were already well established long before the emergence of independent, self-governing towns in the 12th century. Habits of collective decision-making and mechanisms for regular local assembly were in place to counter the growing power of territorial monarchies. […]

The framers of the United States Constitution were influenced by medieval institutions. In fact, the procedures for electing officials, judging cases, examining witnesses, and other practices central to modern governance were hammered out in medieval Europe. […]

Magna Carta justified armed rebellion against the monarch if he did not uphold his side of the bargain, and this enabled the Barons’ Revolt of the 1260s. […]

The doctrine of the King’s Two Bodies was used strictly in response to the need to lawfully sanctify and legitimise the succession of Elizabeth I. It remedied the problem of her gender, making it more palatable for medieval England to accept her as their ‘king’. […]

The “Domesday Book” held data from a survey conducted by William the Conqueror. He included references to the Common Law, whi unforeseeably ended being used against the king himself. […]

Alfred the Great tried to have a unified rule of law, establishing shared legal processes and norms. In fact, in early medieval England, a jury of 12 men would regularly convene to settle disputes and give testimonies. […]

Often relegated as secondary tasks, the art of creating textiles never gained importance in the Middle Ages. However as evidence proves, many of these brilliant pieces may have been created by female artists and may need a relook. […]

What if we were to entertain the possibility that many of the artworks that survive from the Middle Ages represent the artistic achievements of women? It is highly plausible, and we may have evidence. […]

A visit to any museum, library with medieval artworks, or a medieval church will show the techniques relating to oil painting were in wide usage during the Middle Ages. […]