We’ve Been Getting it All Wrong Medieval Europe (roughly 500–1500 CE) is often misunderstood—thanks in part to movies, myths, ...

Whenever a fantasy story treads too far into gruesome violence or plain old human exploitation, storytellers like to trot out four little words: “But it’s historically accurate.” That was the ...

In medieval Europe, castles were the ultimate homes for kings and nobles. The big stone structures weren't just fancy houses—they also protected the people inside and the land around them. While ...

Beth Skwarecki is Lifehacker’s Senior Health Editor, and holds certifications as a personal trainer and weightlifting coach. She has been writing about health for over 10 years. What was life like in ...

A vintage engraving of Medieval fashions. Today, the Middle Ages are a sort of paradox; the myth of the “Dark Ages,” which survives quite ably in popular culture, allows space for it to be whatever ...

Forget the grim clichés — medieval life was complex, colorful, and constantly evolving. From bustling markets and skilled craftsmanship to migration, innovation, and surprising hygiene habits, history ...

Norwich Castle, a mighty medieval fortress built by William the Conquerer after he invaded England in 1066, reopened to the public last month following a landmark $37 million restoration. The castle’s ...

We all know the Middle Ages was full of archers in warfare, bard’s songs, and castles with clockwise stairs. One aspect of medieval life we don’t usually picture, however, is the way society at the ...