middle ages

The Agonizing History Of The Breaking Wheel, One Of History’s Cruelest Execution Methods

Also known as the Catherine wheel or simply the wheel, the breaking wheel crushed the limbs and bones of the condemned, sometimes over the course of several days.

By Austin Harvey • Mar 4, 2026

The Agonizing History Of The Breaking Wheel, One Of History’s Cruelest Execution Methods

Also known as the Catherine wheel or simply the wheel, the breaking wheel crushed the limbs and bones of the condemned, sometimes over the course of several days.

By Austin Harvey • March 4, 2026

The Incredible Story Behind Italy’s Real-Life Sword In The Stone That Has Nothing To Do With King Arthur

Galgano Guidotti was a 12th-century knight who purportedly thrust a sword into a boulder in Tuscany after having a religious vision, a feat that led to his sainthood after his death.

By All That's Interesting • Feb 22, 2026

The Incredible Story Behind Italy’s Real-Life Sword In The Stone That Has Nothing To Do With King Arthur

Galgano Guidotti was a 12th-century knight who purportedly thrust a sword into a boulder in Tuscany after having a religious vision, a feat that led to his sainthood after his death.

By All That's Interesting • February 22, 2026

Half Of Japan’s Samurai In The Edo Period Were Actually Women, According To A New Exhibition At The British Museum

By the early 17th century, as an extended era of peace dawned across Japan, female samurai served as everything from patrons of the arts and scientists to painters and firefighters.

By Cara Johnson • Feb 10, 2026

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Half Of Japan’s Samurai In The Edo Period Were Actually Women, According To A New Exhibition At The British Museum

By the early 17th century, as an extended era of peace dawned across Japan, female samurai served as everything from patrons of the arts and scientists to painters and firefighters.

By Cara Johnson • February 10, 2026

The True Story Of Triboulet, The 16th-Century Court Jester Whose Wit Saved His Life

One of the most beloved court jesters to ever live, Triboulet once slapped the King of France on the rear and told jokes so scandalous that they put his life in danger.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 30, 2026

The True Story Of Triboulet, The 16th-Century Court Jester Whose Wit Saved His Life

One of the most beloved court jesters to ever live, Triboulet once slapped the King of France on the rear and told jokes so scandalous that they put his life in danger.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 30, 2026

Research Suggests That An 11th-Century Monk Discovered Halley’s Comet 600 Years Before Astronomer Edmond Halley

Halley's Comet is named after Edmond Halley, the British astronomer who first identified it as a periodic comet in the 18th century — but new research has revealed that a monk named Eilmer of Malmesbury actually discovered the comet's cyclical appearance 600 years earlier.

By Austin Harvey • Jan 26, 2026

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Research Suggests That An 11th-Century Monk Discovered Halley’s Comet 600 Years Before Astronomer Edmond Halley

Halley's Comet is named after Edmond Halley, the British astronomer who first identified it as a periodic comet in the 18th century — but new research has revealed that a monk named Eilmer of Malmesbury actually discovered the comet's cyclical appearance 600 years earlier.

By Austin Harvey • January 26, 2026

A Metal Detectorist In Germany Just Happened Upon A 1,000-Year-Old Cross Featuring Jesus Surrounded By A Wheel

Known as a "wheel cross," this type of totem was common when the region first began to embrace Christianity in the 10th and 11th centuries.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 26, 2026

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A Metal Detectorist In Germany Just Happened Upon A 1,000-Year-Old Cross Featuring Jesus Surrounded By A Wheel

Known as a "wheel cross," this type of totem was common when the region first began to embrace Christianity in the 10th and 11th centuries.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 26, 2026

This Medieval ‘Super Ship,’ The Largest Of Its Kind Ever Found, Was Just Discovered Off The Coast Of Denmark

Measuring 92 feet long by 30 feet wide and capable of carrying up to 300 tons, the Svaelget 2 is the largest vessel of its type ever found.

By Austin Harvey • Jan 15, 2026

News

This Medieval ‘Super Ship,’ The Largest Of Its Kind Ever Found, Was Just Discovered Off The Coast Of Denmark

Measuring 92 feet long by 30 feet wide and capable of carrying up to 300 tons, the Svaelget 2 is the largest vessel of its type ever found.

By Austin Harvey • January 15, 2026

Medieval Ring Made Of Gold Accidentally Uncovered During A Drainage Project In The Center Of A City In Norway

During a municipal drainage project in the heart of Tønsberg, workers happened upon this ring less than three inches below the surface.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 9, 2026

News

Medieval Ring Made Of Gold Accidentally Uncovered During A Drainage Project In The Center Of A City In Norway

During a municipal drainage project in the heart of Tønsberg, workers happened upon this ring less than three inches below the surface.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 9, 2026

A Metal Detectorist Exploring The Woods Near Edinburgh Discovered The Oldest Scottish Coin Ever Found

This silver penny dating to the 1130s features an image of King David I, a cross pattern, and an inscription that has yet to be deciphered in full.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jan 5, 2026

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A Metal Detectorist Exploring The Woods Near Edinburgh Discovered The Oldest Scottish Coin Ever Found

This silver penny dating to the 1130s features an image of King David I, a cross pattern, and an inscription that has yet to be deciphered in full.

By Kaleena Fraga • January 5, 2026

New Research Suggests That A Volcanic Eruption May Have Triggered A ‘Butterfly Effect’ That Caused The Black Death

A volcanic eruption in 1345 may have caused lower temperatures in Europe, thereby forcing Europeans to import more grain from the Black Sea — inadvertently introducing the plague to overcrowded medieval cities.

By Austin Harvey • Dec 5, 2025

News

New Research Suggests That A Volcanic Eruption May Have Triggered A ‘Butterfly Effect’ That Caused The Black Death

A volcanic eruption in 1345 may have caused lower temperatures in Europe, thereby forcing Europeans to import more grain from the Black Sea — inadvertently introducing the plague to overcrowded medieval cities.

By Austin Harvey • December 5, 2025

Archaeologists Believe They’ve Just Found The Fabled Weapon-Producing Capital Of The Silk Road In The Mountains Of Uzbekistan

After excavating everything from the ruins of a large-scale smelting facility to plentiful iron goods like arrowheads and knives, researchers are convinced that they've finally located the lost city of Marsmanda.

By Kaleena Fraga • Dec 4, 2025

News

Archaeologists Believe They’ve Just Found The Fabled Weapon-Producing Capital Of The Silk Road In The Mountains Of Uzbekistan

After excavating everything from the ruins of a large-scale smelting facility to plentiful iron goods like arrowheads and knives, researchers are convinced that they've finally located the lost city of Marsmanda.

By Kaleena Fraga • December 4, 2025

Byzantine Mosaic Dating Back 1,500 Years Found By Accident Underneath An Abandoned Mill In Turkey

Found in the Midyat district's Beyazsu recreation area, this stunning mosaic features designs including waves, knot-shaped medallions, and infinity motifs.

By Ainsley Brown • Dec 3, 2025

News

Byzantine Mosaic Dating Back 1,500 Years Found By Accident Underneath An Abandoned Mill In Turkey

Found in the Midyat district's Beyazsu recreation area, this stunning mosaic features designs including waves, knot-shaped medallions, and infinity motifs.

By Ainsley Brown • December 3, 2025