Out of the Margins

A new book for the new year is an old British custom, but an old book can be even better.

The ancient stones of churches are portals to the past. Each new generation becomes a custodian.

The villains of British history, the Normans can be a difficult sell. But going off script has its rewards.

For those learned in medieval medicine and astronomy, the dog days of July heralded dangerous times.

The Anglo-Saxons knew that life – and land – is precarious, which makes its gifts precious.

March is the loudest month. The late survival of a dialect name – Lide – for the month poses a medieval puzzle. 

Ancient traditions such as wassailing can be an inspiration rather than a burden for the communities that embrace them.

How a vision led Edmund of Abingdon to elevate the role of Medieval teacher to saintly levels.

How ‘lore’, a largely neglected medieval word, has found a new lease of life in fandom.

What does it mean to be happy? For poets, medieval and modern, joy comes in many forms.