weird medieval guys

Weird Medieval Guys Substack explores an eclectic mix of medieval history topics, ranging from medieval culture, art, and literature to unique practices and individuals from the era. It dismantles common historical myths and delves into aspects of medieval life, offering insights into feminist writings, quirky traditions, and the societal roles of animals.

Medieval Culture Art and Literature Historical Practices Social Hierarchies Feminism in History Medieval Mythology Animal Roles in Society

The hottest Substack posts of weird medieval guys

And their main takeaways

An 800 year prayer book that's decorated with puns

1926 implied HN points • 04 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Symbolism
  1. Medieval marginal drawings on manuscripts often hold varying and fascinating interpretations, with many theories but no definitive explanation available.
  2. The strange and bizarre art in medieval manuscripts may not have one simple answer, but focusing on individual cultures and artworks can provide insights.
  3. The margin illustrations in medieval manuscripts had diverse purposes, from adding commentary to emphasizing text themes, reflecting the evolving trends in manuscript production.

The Medieval Monks Who Lived on Top of Giant Pillars

1395 implied HN points • 02 Aug 23
💾 History Medieval
  1. The history of medieval monks living on top of pillars goes back to the mid-third century with figures like Anthony
  2. Monasticism evolved from early hermit communities to more permanent monasteries, but some monks like Simeon Stylites continued extreme isolation on pillars
  3. Living on pillars was a challenging lifestyle with atrophied legs, but it spread widely across the Middle East and was popular for a while before declining

Why medieval artists drew ancient Romans in medieval clothes

1650 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Ancient History
  1. Medieval artists depicted ancient Romans in medieval clothing to align them with the values and morals of their time.
  2. The Middle Ages saw a conscious effort to alter past narratives to conform with the present, rather than simply emulate the past.
  3. Through copying and adapting ancient texts, medieval scholars preserved and shaped the knowledge of classical antiquity, influencing how we perceive that era today.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Why did medieval people invent so many collective nouns?

1375 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🎭️ Culture History Language Society
  1. Medieval people invented many collective nouns for various groups of animals and people.
  2. The creation of these terms was influenced by a highly structured hunting culture in medieval Europe.
  3. These collective nouns served to reinforce social hierarchies and differentiate social classes based on knowledge of specialized terminology.

Medieval Muslims loved their cats so much

1257 implied HN points • 02 Apr 23
🎭️ Culture History Faith Pets Literature Humor
  1. Medieval Muslims had a deep love for cats, treating them with kindness and care.
  2. Prophet Muhammad and his companions showed great affection towards cats, condemning any harm towards them.
  3. In the medieval Islamic world, cats were beloved pets across all levels of society, receiving special treatment and care.