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Home Articles written by Rachel Bellerby

Articles written by Rachel Bellerby

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Alnwick Castle, Northumberland in Medieval Times
Alnwick Castle is best known as a location in the Harry Potter movies. The castle has centuries of history and has been inhabited by powerful families for 700 years.
How Monks Lived in the Middle Ages
The life of a monk in medieval times followed a strict pattern. Each day was made up of an unchanging round of religious services, meal times and sleep.
The Lives of Monks in the Middle Ages
The life of a medieval monk followed a strict pattern. The days consisted of a routine of religious services, manual labour, and sleep, varying only on feast days.
The Merchant Adventurers of the Middle Ages
England's Merchant Adventurers were groups of men who benefited from long-distance trade and travel in an age when overseas trips were difficult and dangerous.
Life in a Medieval Nunnery
In medieval times, women of all social classes joined nunneries. For many, these religious communities provided one of the few chances for a woman to exercise leadership.
Life in a Peasant Household in Medieval Times
The medieval peasant is often believed to have led an idyllic existence, with a healthy country lifestyle, hearty food, and his own house and land.
Music in Medieval Times
The songs, musical instruments and performers who entertained all classes of society, from drinkers in alehouses, through to aristocracy in the royal courts.
When it Happened in Britain A Very Quick History
A tour through Britain's history, from Roman times to the present day, with accounts of monarchs, plagues, battles, and the fascinating characters of the country's past.
Viking Attack on Lindisfarne, 793AD
In 793AD, the Island of Lindisfarne, in Northumberland, northern England, was violently raided by Vikings who arrived in a surprise attack from the North Sea.
The Battle of Fulford, Near York, 20 Sep 1066
The Battle of Fulford, which took place five days before that of Stamford Bridge, saw invader Harald of Norway outnumber and gain victory over English forces.
1066 & Rather More – A Walk Through History
An account of a modern-day walk from York to Hastings, in the footsteps of the exhausted soldiers of King Harold's army who raced south to meet the enemy in 1066.
When it Happened in Scotland Book Review
When it Happened in Scotland: A Very Quick History is a chronological guide to the most exciting events in Scotland's history, from AD80 to the present day.
The House of Borgia
In his last work, the first major biography of the Borgia family for decades, the late Christopher Hibbert looks at the Borgia family and the world in which they lived.
Vikings in America by Graeme Davis
The author of 'Vikings in America' claims that around 1,000 years ago, Vikings crossed the Atlantic and settled in America.
A History of York's City Walls
York's City Walls are the most complete circuit of medieval walls in England. Built on the foundations of Roman remains, they provided a powerful deterrent to enemies.
L'Anse Aux Meadows, Viking Site in Newfoundland
L'Anse Aux Meadows, in the Canadian province of Newfoundland, is an important site, which many experts believe proves Vikings settled in Canada around 1,000 years ago.
Cuthbert and Lindisfarne Island
Cuthbert was a monk and bishop who lived during some of the most important and exciting times in the history of medieval Christianity.
The Role of an Apothecary in the Middle Ages
The medieval apothecary prepared and prescribed medicines for people with a variety of ailments.
The Use of Spices in the Middle Ages
Spices were a popular and essential way of flavouring and preserving food in the Middle Ages.
Bede and the Monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow
Bede wrote more than 60 books but despite his immense scholarship, he rarely left the monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, where he was brought up and spent most of his life.
Lords & Lordship by R R Davies, Book Review
A look at how the great lords of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries displayed their wealth and power, and controlled the people they ruled.
Parts of a Medieval Castle – the Dungeon
The dungeon was the most feared area of a medieval castle, from which some prisoners never emerged alive.
English Castles 1200 – 1300 by Christopher Grave
A look at the design and development of English castles in the thirteenth century, and how these fortifications were used in both wartime and during periods of peace.
The Duties of a Squire in the Middle Ages
The squire was a young servant to a knight and someone who one day hoped to become a knight himself.
Lancaster and York – The Wars of the Roses
An exciting account of the human side of the Wars of the Roses
Parts of a Castle – the Battlements
The battlements, at the top of a castle, allowed defenders to shoot arrows or cannons out of the castle and to be protected from return fire.
Parts of a Medieval Castle – The Bailey
The bailey was one of the most public areas of a medieval castle, an open area within the castle walls.
Witchcraft in the Middle Ages
In medieval times, witches, real or imagined, were greatly feared and blamed for many of society's problems.
Parts of a Medieval Castle – The Great Hall
The Great Hall was the main room in which both castle residents and visitors could meet and socialise.
A History of Pontefract Castle, England
One of England's finest northern medieval castles, on the route of the Great North Road.
Parts of a Medieval Castle – The Moat
A moat is one of the most recognisable and best-known features of a medieval castle.
Henry I by Judith A Green – Book Review
A detailed and compelling biography of England's King Henry I and his fascinating and turbulent life.
Parts of a Medieval Castle – The Keep
The keep was the strongest part of a castle and usually the last to fall in an attack.
Book Review – Scottish Baronial Castles 1250-145
A history of medieval Scottish castles, with information on design, technology, strategic positions and defence.
The Viking Longhouse
Most Viking families lived in a one-roomed longhouse, with the whole family sleeping, eating and working in one place.
The Venerable Bede, Father of English History
The Venerable Bede was a Northumbrian monk who wrote a wide-ranging study of medieval England, a book which is still valued as a historical document.
The Great Turning Points in British History
Twenty leading historians give their views on which year was the most significant in Britain's history, from the years 1000 to 2000.
The Rule of St Benedict
The Rule of St Benedict was written by Benedict of Nursia around the year 530AD. It was originally intended for use by one community, but came to be adopted across Europe
Hospitality in the Medieval Monastery
The guest house of a medieval monastery offered similar hospitality to a modern-day hotel, with both rich and poor people entitled to food and shelter for the night.
Making a Living in the Middle Ages Book Review
A wide-ranging survey of commercial life in Britain, from the Viking era, through to the sixteenth century.
The History of Fountains Abbey
Fountains Abbey, founded on a wasteland site, grew to be the most famous and wealthiest monastery in the North of England, with more than a million acres of land.
The Wakefield Cycle
The Wakefield Cycle is a group of 32 mystery plays which are considered among the most important and best written of all medieval mystery plays.
A Brief History of Life in the Middle Ages
A new social history depicting scenes from the town and countryside of medieval England.
A Calendar of Medieval Feasts and Festivals
The medieval year was punctuated by various festivals, many of which had their roots in ancient traditions. These events enlivened the changing months and seasons.
The Battle of Towton, England, 1461
The Battle of Towton was the bloodiest battle of the War of the Roses and is believed to have had one of the highest death tolls of any battle ever fought in Britain.
Early Christianity on the Isle of Man
The Isle of Man has a rich Christian heritage and is Christianity is believed to have arrived via Irish missionaries.
The Viking Knarr Merchant Ship
The Knarr was a trading, cargo and exploration vessel which, although lesser-known than the longship, was essential for Vikings to trade, travel and explore.
The Carthusian Order in the Middle Ages
The Order was founded in 1140, as a group of enclosed monasteries, where monks aimed to live independent existences, under the protection of a priory church.
Feasting in the Middle Ages
The medieval feast could be a sumptuous multi-course banquet, or a simpler affair with local foodstuffs.
Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales
Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales is regarded as one of the world's finest collections of medieval literature.
A History of York Minster
York Minster has a history stretching back some 1,400 years, but Christianity was established in the area long before the Minster was created.
Britain in the Later Middle Ages
A Companion to Britain in the Later Middle Ages - a survey of Britain 1100 - 1500, written by experts in the field.
The Life of Geoffrey Chaucer
Geoffrey Chaucer is best known as the author of The Canterbury Tales, one of the most famous poems of medieval times and one which is still acclaimed in the 21st century.
The Medieval Feast of Fools
The Medieval New Year was celebrated with the Feast of Fools, an event which took its inspiration from the Roman celebrations for the god Saturn.
The Vikings in York
York is one of England's most historic cities and was once one of the most important Viking cities in Europe.
The Feast of Candlemas in Medieval Times
The feast of Candlemas is celebrated on 2 February, forty days after Christmas. In medieval times, it was the day when all church candles were blessed for the year ahead.
Surgery in Medieval Times
Medieval surgeons carried out a variety of medical procedures and, in a world where formal qualifications were unnecessary, varied in competence and experience.
A History of the Medieval Abbey of Byland
Byland Abbey was founded in 1135 as a member of the Savignac order, but was absorbed into the Cistercian order 12 years later, when the Savignacs joined the Cistercians.
The Medieval Minstrel
The medieval minstrel was one of the most popular entertainers of the Middle Ages.
How to Create a Medieval Mary Garden
The Mary Garden was a popular garden in medieval times, which used plants associated with the mother of Jesus. Find out how to create your own Mary Garden.
The Battle of Hastings Book Review
A fascinating account of the Battle of Hastings and its two most important opponents; William of Normandy and King Harold of England.
The Medieval Origins of the Cistercian Order
Cistercian monasteries were found in the most bleak but scenic settings of medieval Europe. Their stunning architecture matched their beautiful surroundings.
Hawking in Medieval Times
Hawking, also known as falconry, was a popular pastime in the Middle Ages, but was often the preserve of the wealthy.
Henry Virtuous Prince by David Starkey
David Starkey's new book, published to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII's accession to the throne.
Halloween in Medieval Times
Halloween was originally the celebration of Samhain, an important Celtic feast which marked the beginning of winter.
The Time Traveller's Guide to Medieval England
A review of Ian Mortimer's latest book, a lively and fascinating guide to fourteenth century England.
The Medieval Origins of Westminster Palace
Westminster Palace has been a seat of government for more than 1,000 years and the building has one of the longest histories of any official residence in Europe.
Fighting For The Cross Book Review
A book which explores the reality of what it was like to fight in the Crusades of 1095- 1291 and looks at the people involved.
The Medieval Feast of Michaelmas
The festival of Michaelmas, 29 September, marked the end of harvest time and a turning of the weather and seasons. The feast had both Christian and pagan origins.
Life in an English Medieval Forest
For many medieval people, the forest was a home and a means of earning a living. But, depending in which area a person lived, forest laws could be cruel and prohibitive.
Medieval Viking Gods
The Norse gods were the stuff of legend and the Vikings had an different god for every important occasion.
The Medieval Stonemason and the Master Mason
The medieval trade of stonemason was a respected trade, which from the earliest times, had associations with magic and sorcery.
The Importance of Medieval Religious Relics
Religious relics were the crowd-pullers of the medieval age. Any church or monastery that could lay claim to a relic would be assured a steady stream of visitors.
The Last Queen – A Novel – Book Review
Juana of Castile was the last Queen of Spanish blood to inherit her country's throne. But her privileged life was one of turmoil and sorrow.
Monasteries and Society in the British Isles
'Monasteries and Society in the British Isles in the Later Middle Ages' is a collection of papers relating to British monasteries in medieval times.
Make Friends With Parents at Your Child's School
Collecting and dropping your child at school doesn't sound like much of a chore. But for anyone who's a little shy, waiting at the school gates can be a daily trial.
The Buildings That Made up a Medieval Monastery
A medieval monastery was viewed as a place of quiet contemplation, but was often home to dozens of men working in various capacities.
Overseas Trade in the Middle Ages
Medieval merchants travelled their homelands and abroad, undertaking hazardous journeys to obtain new and exciting products to sell.
A Brief History of The Magna Carta – Book Review
A study of the events of 1215 when King John of England was forced to sign a revolutionary document.
Lammas Day - Celebrating the Medieval Harvest
Lammas Day was one of the oldest medieval festivals, a feast with pagan origins. It was a celebration of the end of the growing season and the gathering of the harvest.
Free of Charge Attractions in West Yorkshire
Rising fuel and food prices are making more people seek out visitor attractions that don't charge an entry fee.
The Fears of Henry IV - Book Review
A medieval biography of Henry IV, the man who ousted King Richard II from the throne.
Beach Games for Kids
Ensure your beach trip is a big success with these ideas for childrens' beach games, which require little in the way of equipment or forward planning.
The History of Myddleton Lodge, Ilkley
Myddleton Lodge was a centre of faith at a time when it was illegal to be a Roman Catholic in England.
The Viking Longship
Viking raiders depended on the speed and manoeuvrability of their longships to carry out their deadly attacks.
How to Find Things to do in the School Holidays
The summer holidays may be an exciting prospect for primary school age children, but not always for parents.
The Peasants' Revolt of 1381
A rebellion of working class people following social changes brought about by the Black Death.
The Battle for Christendom Book Review
A new book by historian Frank Welsh on the Council of Constance, one of the major turning points of European history.
The March of Wales, 1067-1300
A study of one of the most hotly contested borders in medieval Britain
The Princes in the Tower Review
A reconstruction of the events surrounding the mysterious disappearance of two princes in the Tower of London.
The Medieval Manuscript
An illustrated prayer book or Bible was one of the most rare and valuable possessions a medieval person could own.
Cathedral Book Review
The medieval period was the golden age of cathedral building. The sixth to fifteenth centuries saw the creation of some of the finest cathedrals ever built.
Castles in West Yorkshire
Three medieval castles with turbulent histories.
Ale Production in Medieval Times
Ale is one of the oldest foodstuffs and has a history going back thousands of years.
Castles in North Yorkshire
Northern England is home to some of the UK's oldest and most imposing castles.
Heraldry in the Middle Ages
A coat of arms was a way of identifying a knight in battle or in a tournament and the use of military symbolism became widespread in twelfth century Europe.
The English Aristocracy at War
The English Aristocracy at War, From the Welsh Wars of Edward I to the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 - a new study of warfare in the Middle Ages.
'The Siege' Book Review
A powerful novel of warfare between Christian forces and the Ottoman army in the fifteenth century.
The Black Death Book Review
The experiences of ordinary people during the plague, told through the eyes of a fourteenth century clergyman.
The Black Death
The Black Death was a terrifying plague which wiped out up to half the population in the countries it affected. There was no cure and victims died within hours.
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