Mediaeval

500 – 1485 (modern) 1066 – 1485 (traditional) Mediaeval is the bridge between ‘antiquity’ and ‘modern’ and defines the Middle Ages.

We offer two characters to present this period:

Matilda

Matilda was a younger daughter of Robert the Bruce (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329)  – King of Scotland. Further details can be found here.

The Lady of the Keep

Lady Foxley is the wife of Sir John Foxley, Constable of the castles at Southampton and the Isle of Sheppey; as well as Warden of the King’s Manor and Park of Lyndhurst, and of the New Forest. Further details can be found here.

Popular topics include:

  • Mediaeval life related to medicine, health, food, leisure time, clothing, beliefs, family roles, houses, religion, occupations, towns, entertainment, and law.
  • Life in a Castle.
  • Designing my Mediaeval home.
  • Setting the table.
  • Famous people – Matilda (Maud) Bruce, Anna Warwick and Lady Foxley

Creative History Mediaeval topics focus on the period 1066 – 1485 A.D. (for c.500 – 1066 see the Anglo-Saxon and Viking pages).

Historical Context

Mediaeval is the bridge between ‘antiquity’ and ‘modern’ and defines the Middle Ages.
Traditionally the ‘Dark Ages’ dated from c.500 – 1066 A.D. and Mediaeval from 1066 – 1485 A.D.. A more recent interpretation of this amazing period of time says that it runs from c.500- 1485 A.D. and includes Britons, Anglo-Saxons, Jutes, Vikings, Normans, and Plantagenets.

The period from 1066 to 1485 witnesses some remarkable changes. Castles, initially the ultimate defence, are neutralised by gunpowder and cannon. Fashion remains very similar, yet art and science see changes; trade routes with the East start to open up; religious crusades to the Holy Land result in changes in language, leisure and food.