This blog is all about medieval history, a place where I’ll be sharing fascinating stories from the Middle Ages. About the key people, places and events that have shaped our past.
But what is ‘our period’ I hear you ask? Ask two historians to define the Middle Ages and you’d probably get two different answers. So, for the sake of drawing some lines in the sand, I’ll be focusing on the period from 476 (the fall of the Roman Empire) up until 1487 (the end of the Wars of the Roses).
On this site you will find a variety of articles covering topics from medieval history, folklore and mythology. I aim to publish around two new articles each month. You will find these added to the ‘Articles’ section. I really hope you enjoy the stories on this site. My aim is to entertain, share, inform and, I hope, inspire.
Myths and Legends of the Medieval World
Over the past couple of years, I have been busy writing my first book – Myths and Legends of the Medieval World.
When I set out to write it (which seems like an age ago now), I wanted to write something that would serve as a complete guide to the myths, legends, superstition and folklore of Plantagenet England. One of the key things I wanted to achieve with it was to transport the reader back to the age of the Plantagenets and re-tell these stories as they would have been understood at the time.
This book is all about setting old stories in their original medieval context. Rather than considering our modern understanding of Robin Hood or King Arthur, I wanted to focus on who medieval folk thought they were and why their stories mattered.
More broadly the book aims to provide a comprehensive window into the supernatural world of the Middle Ages. How people viewed miracles, relics, prophecy and magic. What people thought of witches, ghosts and demons. And how people viewed magical creatures such as dragons, giants, mermaids, phoenix birds and enigmatic fairy folk.
By integrating oral traditions, performance culture, and folk beliefs, Watts reconstructs how medieval audiences experienced these stories, distinguishing his work from studies that focus solely on textual sources.
Luciano Anastasi, The Medieval Chronicle
This book is an ideal read for those studying medieval culture and society as well as those wishing to learn more about British mythology, the book ranges from Morgan le Fay to Margery Kempe and from unicorns to griffins. Watts’ first book is a very enjoyable addition to the shelf of any medieval enthusiast.
Lisa Redmond, Historical Novel Society
The book is now available from my publisher’s (Pen and Sword Books) website in the UK:
VISIT THE UK BOOKSTORE TO FIND OUT MORE
The book is available from Casemate in North America:
VISIT THE NORTH AMERICAN BOOKSTORE
The book is available from several different Australian bookstores including:
VISIT THE NILE BOOKSTORE (AUSTRALIA)
Or
About the author
Paul Watts
It might be stating the obvious, but I have a particular interest in Medieval History and folklore.
I have an avid interest in general history and would call myself a ‘keen amateur historian’. I studied history academically with the Open University and for most of my life I have studied mainly for fun. If you contribute to the History forum called ‘Historum’ you may have come across me posting as SilasMarner.
I live down in the west country in England with my wife Alice and two cats.
I am writing this blog because I believe history is important. History lies at the heart of everything we are. Our culture and our heritage are the product of history. It shapes our identity and connects us with our past and the world in which we live.
But history also grants us access to a vast catalogue of human stories – some of the most poignant and meaningful stories ever told. History is the story of what it means to be human.