Medieval History covers the long stretch of time between the fall of the Roman Empire and the dawn of the early modern world. In this section you can explore castles, kingdoms, plagues, pilgrimages and everything in between. We look at knights and nobles, of course, but also peasants, merchants, monks and others who actually kept society running.
Our articles explore how people lived, worked, worshipped and fought in Europe and beyond, from Viking raids and the Crusades to the rise of cities, universities and powerful royal dynasties. You will find clear explanations of major events alongside smaller, stranger stories about daily life, medicine, law, crime, beliefs and superstition.
We also look at how much of what we think we know about the “Dark Ages” comes from later myths, films and novels, and where the truth is far more surprising.
Whether you are curious about medieval warfare, the Black Death, chivalry, religious conflict, or how ordinary people dressed, ate and entertained themselves, this category offers short, engaging pieces that are easy to read and share. Medieval History on MuseumFacts helps you see this period as a rich, complex world rather than just a backdrop for dragons and fantasy.
Before personal injury lawyers, compensation calculators and no win, no fee ads, there was a king who solved violence with… a spreadsheet of pain. Around 602 AD, King Æthelberht of Kent looked at a world of blood feuds and revenge…
The House of Plantagenet is a royal house of England. The royal house held the English throne from 1154 to 1485. The house originated from the lands of Anjou in France, hence it is also called as the House of…
Jousting was a very popular medieval sport. It was essentially a game between two equestrians wielding lances. Its main objective was to knock the opponent off the horse using the lance. Additionally, this sport was often the main part of…
The Order of Santiago was established in the 12th century. Its members—the knights of Santiago— were tasked to fight the Spanish Muslims and to protect pilgrims en route to the shrine of Santiago de Compostela. Additionally, the Order is one…
10 Fascinating Facts About the Industrial Revolution The Industrial Revolution, which took place in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, was a period of rapid technological and social change. It marked the shift from manual labour and traditional…
During the medieval times, women, in general, weren’t given many rights. However, that did not stop them from taking professional and leadership roles traditionally meant for men. One of the most famous medieval women is Joan of Arc, but there…
The Crusades were essentially a series of religious wars initiated and sometimes conducted by the Roman Catholic Church in the medieval period. The crusaders went on several church-sanctioned campaigns; the most important ones were reclaiming the Holy Land from Islamic…
The Middle Ages or the medieval period was an era in Europe’s history that lasted from the 5th century to the late 15th century. It witnessed several historic events which were instrumental in shaping the Western world. We have compiled…
The Vikings were Norse people from Southern Scandinavia who thrived from the 8th century to the 11th century. They were seafaring people who raided, pirated and traded throughout Europe. The era during which they thrived was called the ‘Viking age’.…
Castles were built as a defence against the enemies and even served as royal residences. The first proper medieval castles in England were built by the Normans after the Conquest of 1066. They built these castles to fortify their new…
A surname indicates a persons tribe or community. A surname denotes the last name or the family name. In Europe, up to the year 1000, individuals had the same name, it was only after the 13th century that surnames were…
The French Monarchy has famous kings and queens who brought in key changes during their reigns. As with other things in history, we have the good and the bad. The good French monarchs were instrumental in making a big difference…
Medieval buildings are the buildings constructed during the middle ages. They include civil, religious and military buildings. The popular style of architecture was mainly romanesque and gothic. Most of the surviving medieval architecture include churches and castles. These famous medieval…
Most of us think of samurai at the mention of Japan. However, we’re going to be talking about their female counterpart who proved just as powerful and sometimes even more. “Onna-bugeisha” is the Japanese word for “female martial artist.” However,…
Introduction Knights were individuals granted knighthood by a monarch, the church, or a ruling authority. While warrior elites existed long before the Middle Ages, the knights most people recognise today emerged in medieval Europe, bound by warfare, social rank, and…
