Medieval history holds surprises that most people never learn about. The era was governed by bizarre laws and unexpected traditions that shaped everything from fashion to justice. Popular ...

In a time when homes were small, cold, and often overcrowded, the idea of sleeping in a wooden cupboard may not sound so unusual. From the medieval period to the early 20th century, “bed cupboards” or ...

Rachel Feltman: These days, science and magic are generally thought of as being diametrically opposed: fact versus fiction, reason versus fantasy, modern sensibilities versus archaic misconceptions.

The Middle Ages weren’t as dreary and desperate as you’d think, and peasants often had weeks of idle time during the holidays. On Christmas Day, the party was just getting started.

In medieval Europe, a rivalry between two assertive cultures — Christians and Jews, who both considered themselves “God’s Chosen People” — gave rise to modern antisemitism, argues Yale’s Ivan G.