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A-Z of medieval life: I–L

A-Z of medieval life: I–L

Find out what letters I–L stand for in historian Dr Ian Mortimer's A–Z journey through medieval England…

Dr Ian Mortimer

Published: July 28, 2026 at 3:26 PM

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Just how dangerous was life in medieval England? In this third episode, historian Ian Mortimer explores the brutal realities of illness, childbirth and the Black Death, revealing why plague transformed English society forever.

Along the way, he uncovers bizarre medieval beliefs, mythical travellers, the evolution of kingship and the surprising rise of literacy in an age often dismissed as the 'Dark Ages'. Why was this so important? As he explains, the whole political history of the Middle Ages can be understood as "holding power to account" – and literacy became one of the key forces that made that possible.

In this six-part series, Mortimer explores the everyday realities of the 14th century – from medieval fashion and farming to mechanical clocks, relics and the cult of the dead, discover the surprising details that bring life in medieval England vividly into focus. Find episode three below.

Missed the first two episodes? Catch up now, discover more episodes in our HistoryExtra Academy

Dr Ian Mortimer is the author of the four Time Traveller's Guides - to Medieval England, Elizabethan England, Restoration Britain and Regency Britain, and Medieval Horizons: Why the Middle Ages Matter, Mortimer's A-Zs of English History, and the forthcoming Through the Windows of an Ordinary House: A History of England (Bodley Head, September 2026)

Authors

Dr Ian MortimerHistorian and author

The Time Traveller’s Guide to Regency Britain