Medieval life

The medieval period – aka the Middle Ages – is the period in European history between the fall of the Roman Empire in the west (5th century) to the Renaissance period in around the 15th century. It was one of the most turbulent and transformative periods in history, popularised by the Black Death, Magna Carta and the Hundred Years’ War. Find out about daily life in the medieval period – what was it like and how did people live and die?

A scene from the Bayeux Tapestry depicting the Norman invasion of 1066

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The making of the Bayeux Tapestry: who made it, how long did it take, and how has it survived?

A medieval illumination in eight panels showing seasonal rural work — falconry, mowing, harvesting, threshing, sowing, grape‑pressing, pig‑tending, and indoor crop processing — all rendered in bright, patterned medieval style.

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How grim was life as a medieval farmer? Here are 6 things you need to know. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 6A-Z of medieval life: V-Z. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 5A-Z of Medieval Life: Q-U. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 4A-Z of Medieval Life: M-P. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Historian Ian Mortimer

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Episode 3A-Z of Medieval Life: I–L. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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How to survive a day in the 14th century. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 2A-Z of Medieval Life: E–H. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Episode 1A-Z of Medieval Life: A–D. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A medieval illustration of a person ploughing a field with two oxen. The oxen are harnessed in a pair, pulling a large wooden plough with a single wheel. The background is painted in warm yellow and orange tones, giving the scene a simple, stylised look.

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How did the Anglo-Saxons triumph in Britain? You can blame it on the Romans. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A medieval manuscript illustration showing seven figures in colourful robes standing in a row, each performing a different gesture or holding an object, set against a patterned background with decorative borders and handwritten script above and below.

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She tried to cover her husband in penises: a medieval guide to the seven deadly sins. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A Renaissance-style painting showing a woman in red and blue clothing with a patterned gold head covering nursing a curly‑haired child against a geometric patterned background

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Medieval family planning: meet the strong-willed women who redefined motherhood in the Middle Ages. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A tailor in a black vest and white shirt holds two large horns as he attaches them to a Viking’s helmet. The Viking wears a grey helmet, blue tunic, feathered cloak, and has a long orange beard, all set against a bright green background

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What are history's biggest misconceptions? 9 experts reveal what we get wrong about the past. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Medieval vampire slayers: why did our ancestors dig up and dismember the dead?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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We often refer to countries as 'female' – so why has history excluded women from nation-building?. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustration of a monk writing on a large piece of parchment, with colourful and dramatic scenes spilling out of the pen

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The Book of Kells: "a masterpiece of medieval calligraphy and painting". This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A selection of illustrations of medical procedures, including childbirth and someone vomiting, around a circular chart that depicts flasks of different coloured urine

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Marvellous medieval medicine: why their curious cures were better than you think. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustration of a woman in a gold and red dress walking on a tightrope while balancing a pair of scales on her head. The scales hold an angel on one side and a devil on the other. Behind her on the tightrope, there is a cat. Below her, there is a town and a factory, with some houses submerged in water

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Michael Wood on lessons on good government from medieval Siena. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

A dramatic black-and-white close-up of a horse’s face, focusing tightly on one eye. Light catches the eye and surrounding hairs while much of the animal’s face and the background remain in deep shadow.

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Medieval warhorses: 5 moments horsepower changed the course of history. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

An illustrated drawing shows 3 peasants, dressed in yellow, green and orange, exchanging goods including corn and chicken. A pink pig is in the foreground

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Live locally, live sustainably, live medieval. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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What was life like in a medieval town? A historical A-Z. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Michael Wood on amazing insights into medieval daily life. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Biddenden cakes

Medieval

What are the Easter treats known as Biddenden cakes, and who were the Biddenden Maids?

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How pigs caused a stink in medieval England. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Medieval towns: everything you wanted to know. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

Christine de Pizan, pictured speaking to a trio of inspirational women in an illustration in her Book of the City of Ladies, written around the turn of the 15th century (Photo by Album/Alamy Stock Photo)

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Medieval influencers: 4 women who brought change to the Middle Ages. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Medieval make do and mend. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Medieval science: everything you wanted to know. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Medieval women: friendship, wanderlust and the medieval hustle. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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Medieval England's political miracle. This is a premium piece of content available to subscribed users.

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