The blog post discusses the historical phenomenon of the Crusades, emphasizing their failures and the ineffectiveness of the Crusaders. It explores the rise of papal power leading to the Crusades, the various campaigns against dif...
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Medieval historian and writer with a passion for gossip, pop culture, and debunking fake medieval myths.
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The author critiques the misconception of the 'Dark Ages' as a period of cultural decline, arguing instead that it reflects a lack of surviving sources rather than a lack of intellectual activity. They emphasize the importance of ...
6.3On AI and the golem
2025-10-21 • technology history cultural criticism golem ai
The author discusses the implications of AI on the profession of historians, arguing that AI cannot replicate the analytical and creative skills of human historians. They draw parallels between the current AI discourse and the leg...
The text discusses the misconceptions about the medieval period and the negative perceptions people have about it. It highlights the results of a poll conducted by David Montgomery, Senior Data Journalist at yougov, which shows th...
The text discusses the historical figure Edward II and his relationship with Piers Gaveston. It highlights the complexities of Edward II's reign, his queer relationships, and the political implications of his actions. The author a...
The author visited the Temple Church in London and was disappointed to find an exhibition on Magna Carta, which they believe is overblown PR. They argue that the real history of the Knights Templar and the Temple Church is more in...
0On spooky animals
2024-10-30 •
The blog post discusses the Byland Abbey ghost stories and how they give insight into what people in the late medieval period found scary. The stories involve animals such as horses, ducks, ravens, and goats, and the author explor...
0On side hustles
2024-09-27 •
The blog post critiques the glamorization of side hustles, arguing that they rarely lead to significant financial improvement, drawing parallels with medieval times when people also engaged in multiple jobs. Brewing was a common s...
0On body count
2024-08-21 •
The blog post discusses the concept of body count in medieval times, debunking the myth that people didn't have sex for fun before modern times. It explores the idea of slut-shaming, the differentiation between classes in controll...
0Let me explain something to you: the mendicants
2024-06-27 •
The blog post explains the concept of mendicant orders in medieval Europe, focusing on the different groups like Carmelites, Franciscans, Dominicans, and Augustinians. It discusses how these orders evolved, their roles in society,...
0On gossip
2024-06-14 •
The blog post discusses the concept of gossip in medieval times, exploring its social, legal, and religious implications. The author delves into the historical context of gossip, its role in community-building, and its connection ...
0On fake medieval devices – both torture and sexual
2024-05-24 •
The blog post discusses fake medieval devices, both torture and sexual, and debunks myths surrounding them. The author explains the origins of these myths, how they were circulated, and the motivations behind them. Examples includ...
0On Delft Old Church
2024-04-28 •
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0On obscenity and modernity
2024-04-22 •
The author discusses the concept of obscenity in medieval and modern times, focusing on the censorship of religious art depicting nudity and sexuality. She highlights the impact of legislation like FOSTA/SESTA on sex workers and t...
0Bologna’s medieval canals
2024-03-26 •
The blog post discusses a tour of Bologna's medieval canals, exploring elements of city life like laundry, bathing, and municipal housing. It also mentions the complexity of medieval city life and includes a link to more informati...
The blog post discusses the historical misconceptions and beliefs about women's anatomy, particularly focusing on the clitoris. It highlights the views of ancient and medieval thinkers, such as Hippocrates, Galen, and Guy de Chaul...
The blog post discusses the concept of periodisation in the Middle Ages, explaining how historians divide history into distinct periods for ease of conversation and generalizations. It covers the Late Antique Period, Early Medieva...
0On secret romantic communications
2024-02-14 •
The blog post discusses how medieval people communicated about love, focusing on courtly love and the use of go-betweens and formularies. It explores examples of love letters between rich individuals and nuns, highlighting the var...
0My fav saints: St Margaret of Antioch
2024-01-30 •
The blog post discusses the legend of St. Margaret of Antioch, a saint who probably didn't exist but was revered for her bravery and miraculous feats. The post explores her story, including her refusal to renounce her Christian fa...