The experience of a Christmas in many countries today owes a great deal to the modern era. The Christmas tree, Christmas cards and the image of Santa Claus as a portly bearded gentleman in a red suit ...

When people think of the European Middle Ages, it often brings to mind grinding poverty, superstition and darkness. But the reality of the 1,000-year period from 500 to 1500 was much more complex.

Some people observe December 25 as sacred and also mark January 6 as “Old Christmas.” We’ve all heard of traditional Christmas carols like “Jingle Bells” and “Deck the Halls,” but what about “The ...

Christmas in the Middle Ages wasn’t all warm fires and festive feasts - especially if you weren’t wealthy. In this episode, we explore how people really experienced the holiday season, from fasting ...

Christmas in the Middle Ages was less about joy and more about endurance. Winter meant cold homes, scarce food, and constant risk of illness. Many families rationed supplies hoping to survive until ...

Winter in a peasant village, painted by the Limbourg brothers and published in the medieval illuminated manuscript ‘Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry.’ Pierce Archive LLC/Buyenlarge via Getty Images ...