/r/MedievalHistory

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This reddit is for the latest developments in Medieval History: please keep other modern topics on religion and politics in their respective subreddits.


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/r/MedievalHistory

105,462 Subscribers

4

An odd query, but was foot washing ever used as a punishment?

Okay, hear me out, πŸ‘ i remember reading a book (or was it some show i had seen?) where this noble guy forces his enemy to wash his feet as a punishment or something and I wonder of something like that ever happened?

I hear in the Tudor era feet washing was something nobles did for the peasants but again, not sure!

1 Comment
2025/02/01
07:13 UTC

36

Would real feudal nobility have killed Elia Martel and her children?

In the backstory to Asoiaf after the Targaryens are overthrown following there defeat in the war of the five kings Elia Martel and her children the Targ heirs are brutally killed. She is raped and then cut in half with a sword her daughter is killed by being stabbed dozens of times and her infant son is bashed to death against a wall.

Granted there are some caveats to this Tywin Lannister only orderd the murders as a show of loyalty to the new Baratheon dynasty since he has chosen to remain neutral during roberts rebellion, he claimed he only order the death of Elia children and it's stated that the to men he sent to kill the Targ heirs where more brutal then most men but still.

Are there any real examples of members of defeated Medival dynasty's being killed like Elias children?

41 Comments
2025/02/01
00:29 UTC

37

Aside from Ulrich Von Hutten, are there any medieval examples of a knight who also had a college degree?

37 Comments
2025/01/31
05:28 UTC

1

Check out my new "VideoBook" version of The Divine Comedy

2 Comments
2025/01/30
13:07 UTC

5

UK Medieval Masters recommendations?

0 Comments
2025/01/30
09:36 UTC

15

How were relations between Western and Central Europe of the Middle Ages?

For the sake of my argument, I define Central Europe as basically Bohemia and Hungary was known for it wealthy mines with Bohemia in particular called the Kingdom of Iron and Gold due to its wealthy silver mines.

I read that French House of Anjou inherited both the Hungarian and Polish thrones in 14th century but how did this impact the Kingdom of France itself considering Capetian House of Anjou was a vassal of the French Crown?

Moreover how did Western kingdoms such as England, France in general and Iberian Kingdoms interact with Central Europe and vice versa?

12 Comments
2025/01/30
07:44 UTC

88

Paper and vellum astrolabe, likely made for personal use

7 Comments
2025/01/30
03:21 UTC

6

Check out my β€œVideoBook” version of The Tale of Genji, considered the world’s first novel and one of Japan’s earliest works

0 Comments
2025/01/29
20:58 UTC

2

Check out my β€œVideoBook” version of The Tale of Genji, considered the world’s first novel and one of Japan’s earliest works

0 Comments
2025/01/29
19:42 UTC

3

Books about Medieval Maghreb & East

Just finished up Dan Jones' Crusaders. I enjoyed but not as much analysis as I'd of liked. Whilst reading, I coped well with chapters focusing on the Western European perspective; however, the book made it apparent that I really need to touch up on history of Maghreb, North Africa and Middle East - particularly the rise of Islam in the regions, understanding of Islamic governance and outline of competing cultures/factions.

My knowledge doesn't go much beyond Baghdad & the Mongols.

Any and all recommendations welcome :)

1 Comment
2025/01/29
18:11 UTC

12

Tier list of the Valois and Bourbon Kings of France

0 Comments
2025/01/29
09:32 UTC

17

Tier list of the (direct) Capetian kings

0 Comments
2025/01/29
09:30 UTC

15

Welsh Military traditions

Ive watched somewhere that Wales has a rich military tradition, and. . . That was it. I just wanted someway to expand on that. And it can be about anything: History, literature, admistrative and military structures.

And yeah, I can probably read it online somewhere. But I also want to pick the brains of people smarter than me 😁

9 Comments
2025/01/29
00:04 UTC

28

If a town was getting attacked…

What would the villages say 2 hours away be doing? If armed forces were marching towards that town earlier did they stop n terrorize them too? Do they avoid em altogether? What are the surrounding villages doing during a small siege?

13 Comments
2025/01/28
23:07 UTC

30

How to Live Like a Medieval Catholic

6 Comments
2025/01/28
19:36 UTC

439

Was their something special about england's wool in medieval times? Was England's sheep different from the ones on the mainland?

Wool seems to have been England's big export goods.

It was a big deal. People really wanted to buy english wool.

Like the texile industry in the low countries.

But why?

Did other kingdoms not have their own sheep? Or did they have their own wool production, but is was just not enough?

So they bought extra from England?

If their was something special about english wool, could they not just steal a few english sheep?

===---===

Did England just have an extra large sheep population? So they could afford to export wool?

===---===

Was english Wool of better quality?

And if it was, why?

54 Comments
2025/01/28
16:05 UTC

4

Any interesting and general Info

Hi!
I want to write a book, (Mostly fantasy) that plays with people living in the medieval times. And I really want to stick close to what it actually was like back in the day.

One of my charakters was supposed to be from a village bu not be poor, more like from a family with a profession thats considered moderatly wealthy, in a way that they arent going hungry but arent authority.
My idea was Butchers daughter, but that is still very much up for grabs if theres is better stations to put them in.

Also I would love to hear all about every niche and not niche info you can tell me just off the top of your heads.

The story itself is about a kingdom/empire where magic has vanished long ago due to an illness only affecting the magical beings, and our protagonists

  • Butchers Daughter
  • Herbalist (male)
  • Mercenary (male)
  • Merchants daughter

will find the magic that was once abundent.

So if anything catches your attetion, you want to tell me about then feel free, I love to learn! :)

4 Comments
2025/01/28
07:52 UTC

5

historically accurate crusader armor

I can’t really find much on armor used by Crusaders that is romanticized, if anyone could provide images and information about the armor that would be very appreciated.

8 Comments
2025/01/28
03:31 UTC

196

Is there a term for this type of exterior walls that are solid white with no timers showing through?

31 Comments
2025/01/28
01:13 UTC

9

Battle of Najera location

Does anyone know how the Black Prince advanced at the battle of Najera? I’ve listened to the Bow and Blade podcast, looked up the biography of the black prince and visited the battlefield but still not sure. He flanked to the north of the Roman road catching the Castilian forces by surprise.

0 Comments
2025/01/28
01:10 UTC

2,022

Anyone with book recs similar to this type of literature? Not incredibly academic but interesting -

133 Comments
2025/01/27
23:21 UTC

43

William the Conqueror's death

I have been really interested in learning about the aftermath of William the Conqueror's death and how it shaped Europe. Are there any good documentaries on Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, or Prime? If not could you maybe link so youtube videos you find informative or some books on the subject you enjoy?

6 Comments
2025/01/27
17:22 UTC

3

Looking for a book about Visigoths etc

Hi! What the title says, I am on a quest to find a book with comprehensive information on post Roman Empire Europe. Visigoths, vandals, Arian religion etc if that makes sense? Especially things like culture and weaponry. Please recommend me a book or another good source if you can!

4 Comments
2025/01/27
16:17 UTC

48

Does anyone have any info about prostitutes during this era?

Any region/place/century to be honest...I am particularly curious about what we know regarding the general perception. With Christian society, I assume people viewed them as "fallen women" or women who CHOSE to be sinful, but were there any written sentiments acknowledging the class dynamics at play?

One sees medievalesque shows that portray noblemen going to brothels, was this ever seen as exploitation? This topic is rather complicated, but any knowledge/books would help! Also, regarding their circumstances during sieges/times of war.

Also I wonder if there was male prostitution at the time as well. I guess so?

25 Comments
2025/01/27
14:05 UTC

6

Among the Plantagenet kings, who had the best childhood?πŸ‘‘ Who do you think?

3 Comments
2025/01/27
13:53 UTC

4

Scribal abbreviations?

This one goes out to all my medievalist colleagues: How do you write scribal abbreviations in MS Word? Is there a program to download? I have copied from the "Insert Symbol" function and online, but the search is inevitably haphazard. I know it must be possible because I have seen text quotes with correct scribal abbreviations in journals.

2 Comments
2025/01/27
10:48 UTC

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