Medieval history has an unusually strong newsletter community. The writers here cover manuscripts, warfare, daily life, religion and the myths modern culture has built on the period, usually with a wry awareness of how often the Middle Ages are misrepresented.
Most publish weekly or fortnightly with long, image-rich essays.
8 newsletters below, ranked by editorial quality and how recently they published.
A weekly history newsletter from British historian and broadcaster Lucy Worsley, exploring episodes from the past such as Peter the Wild Boy at Kensington Palace, the Bayeux Tapestry and Anne Boleyn. Readers get engaging, narrative-driven accounts tied to her books, TV work and talks.
A long-running, installment-style history series covering the entire history of humanity across all regions, not just Europe. Issues dig into specific periods and themes in depth, such as the Carolingian Renaissance and Ottoman slavery, and the newsletter also offers paid Q&A and book compilations.
Dan Jones's weekly newsletter shares updates from his book tours and diary entries about his new book on castles, alongside glimpses of medieval history. Readers get behind-the-scenes stories, tour dates, and observations about historic sites.
A history newsletter by a university lecturer who shares what she is teaching and researching, such as Bronze Age Cucuteni-Trypillia, medieval Mediterranean connections and how historians label periods. It reads as a personal, reflective letter that makes archaeological and historical ideas accessible to general readers.
A Substack by historian Beth Allison Barr offering reflections on evangelicalism, medieval history, and women's history, including book excerpts, teaching videos, and commentary on Rome and Christian patriarchy. Readers get scholarly perspective on the past and its links to contemporary religious debates.
A Substack exploring quirky and surprising corners of medieval history, including the Voynich manuscript, medieval handwriting styles, and etymologies of everyday words. Readers get entertaining, well-researched explainers that mix history, art, and language.
The Western Spirit is a blog exploring the Catholic heritage behind Western civilization, featuring historical essays on figures and places such as St. Frideswide's Oxford and the Knights Templar. It also offers commentary on contemporary European and American politics viewed through a religious and cultural lens.
Historic Mysteries sends articles that blend historical episodes with unexplained legends, such as medieval mellified mummies, the 711 Battle of Guadalete and the Beast of Glamis Castle. Readers get accessible, narrative-driven stories about strange history and folklore.
One short email a week with hand-picked newsletters from the index. Free, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.
