Category Archives: Medieval cycle of life

The Fall of Baghdad, 1258

Posted on November 22, 2017 by Ruth

The last Caliph of Baghdad ascended to his throne in 1242. The position had been powerless for a long time during the Turkish migrations, ruling in name while the cities were virtually independent, but then a series of energetic Caliphs … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Mongols, Muslim Empire (old series) | Comments Off on The Fall of Baghdad, 1258

Bald’s eye salve: a modern story

Posted on July 28, 2016 by Ruth

After remedies for head pain, the medical books turn to eye problems. It’s very clear that swollen and infected eyes were a serious issue in that time, because both books have a number of remedies. And here, we find a … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Comments Off on Bald’s eye salve: a modern story

Medieval international merchants

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Ruth

International merchants were, of course, the largest sales ventures. They sent representatives to the larger regional/national fairs, but their chief trading occurred elsewhere. To go back to Charlemagne’s time, a group of Jewish merchants based around the Rhone River traveled … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged , | Comments Off on Medieval international merchants

Medieval merchants and regional fairs

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Ruth

Medieval traveling salesmen, 2 of 3: The middle range of traveling salesmen were merchants who worked within one region or nation, moving things farther than ordinary people could easily travel. They were not as limited by roads, since they could … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Comments Off on Medieval merchants and regional fairs

Medieval traveling tinkers and small merchants

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Ruth

Medieval traveling salesmen, 1st of 3: Medieval merchants came in sizes small, medium and large. The small ones did the thankless work of bringing small, cheap things to rural and even remote villages. They were up against two obstacles: lack … Continue reading →

Posted in Medieval cycle of life | Tagged , | Comments Off on Medieval traveling tinkers and small merchants

Medieval traveling lives: masons

Posted on June 4, 2016 by Ruth

This fits into the Medieval Cycle of Life series, after the traveling minstrel. Today’s “Masonic Lodge” has no direct connection to the actual Freemasons of the Middle Ages, but some of the traits and tropes we associate with them, like … Continue reading →

Posted in Castles, Crafts, Medieval cycle of life | Comments Off on Medieval traveling lives: masons

Medieval craftsman’s wife

Posted on May 27, 2016 by Ruth

The life of a medieval woman in town is closer to our modern ideas than the other pathways (such as the castle lady or peasant’s wife).  This isn’t coincidental, since modern life developed from the roots of those medieval towns. … Continue reading →

Posted in Crafts, Medieval cycle of life, Women | Comments Off on Medieval craftsman’s wife

Christine de Pizan

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Ruth

Around 1400, the most famous woman author was Christine de Pizan (or Pisan, both short for Pizzano, south of Bologna, Italy). Christine spent her life at the French court, originally moving there as an infant when her father was hired … Continue reading →

Posted in Black Death, Literature, Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Christine de Pizan

Heloise d’Argenteuil, an educated medieval woman

Posted on May 26, 2016 by Ruth

Following on my profile of the life of a male university graduate, I want to profile two highly educated women of the Middle Ages, whose lives turned out quite differently. First, since I mentioned her yesterday, Heloise d’Argenteuil. What we … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged | Comments Off on Heloise d’Argenteuil, an educated medieval woman

Early medieval ladies

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Ruth

This post is a follow-up to an earlier one about the lives of castle ladies. Prior to 1100, medieval ladies didn’t have castles, they had halls. There was one key difference that completely shaped the lady’s life. That is, instead … Continue reading →

Posted in Castles, Medieval cycle of life, Women | Tagged , | Comments Off on Early medieval ladies