Daily Medieval

Long before a unified France, there were minor nobles always looking to expand into their neighbors' territories.  In 9th century Wester...

Portrayals of St. Boniface almost always show an axe in his hand or in the background. This stems from the story of Donar's Oak, a tree...

From a feast at the University of Rochester Most readers of this blog will be familiar with the Boar's Head Carol. The version we...

With the holiday season upon us, folk are preparing to consume mincemeat pies at the conclusion of their meal. Growing up, I was told it ...

We are now in the Christian season of Advent, from the Latin adventus,  meaning "coming." It comprises the four Sundays leading...

We have looked at some of the possible reasons for dating Christ's birth to December 25th, but how early was that dating settled upon?...

Was December 25th the default date for Christmas because of a Roman Saturnalia or because of deliberate copying with Mithraism? Connected...

Way back here we mentioned Pope Liberius, sent into exile by Constantius II because he wouldn't censure St. Athanasius for condemning...

Tying the start of a year to the season of spring makes perfect sense in agrarian cultures. The Romans started their year in spring for a lo...

Christmas Day was not celebrated in the past with all the pomp and circumstance we grant it today. It was, however, an auspicious day. Comin...

Were the Norse Norns/Fates the "Mothers"? Among the notable works of the Venerable Bede (c.673-735) is De temporum ratione (T...