Medieval

We should resist using ‘medieval’ as another word for backward. The 15th century, in particular, was a time of remarkable progress and enlightenment.

As Cyprus attempts to solve its debt problem by targeting private assets, Alexander Lee finds some ominous lessons in 15th-century Florence.

The discovery of 13 bodies in a London plague pit has helped to illuminate the murkier aspects of life in the 14th century, writes Alexander Lee.

Soldiers of fortune yet passionate lovers of art—the Gonzagas were a typical product of Renaissance Italy. By F.M. Godfrey.

Joan M. Fawcett utilises the household records for the Countess of Leicester, sister of Henry III, to retrace a crucial year for the de Montfort fortunes.

Ts’ên Shên was one of the celebrated poets of the T’ang dynasty. Here, Arthur Waley explores his body of work and the tumultuous career that propelled it.

No monument of Christian architecture is more celebrated than the Cathedral of Chartres. Peter Quennell here traces both the origins of the great church and the effect it has exercised on succeeding generations.

L.F. Marks introduces Savonarola, dominant within the turbulence of Florentine politics of the 1490’s.

David Footman on the conspiracies that surround the Order of Assassins.

J. Guthrie Oliver discusses a major source of funds for both medieval England and the Church.