Welcome to the Middle Ages blog of Paula R. Stiles. Until recently, I was writing a weekly article and blog series on medieval history for Suite101. We have, alas, since parted ways. You can still find my articles there, but keep in mind that I can't vouch for the quality or accuracy of anything that doesn't have my byline on it.



I came by my obsession with the Middle Ages in the usual dishonest way: I went to grad school. I got my Masters in European History from the University of Rhode Island and my PhD at the University of St Andrews. My concentration is on the Knights Templar and popular (mis)conceptions about them, as well as medieval Jewish and Islamic history, particularly in Spain.



My intent on this blog is to demystify medieval history and make it fun without perpetuating the many myths and wrong-headed notions about the Middle Ages (aka "the Dark Ages") that are floating around out there. Too many people call this period "The Dark Ages" more because of what they don't know about the period than because of what actually happened back then. Too many people get their history from books like Ivanhoe and films like A Knight's Tale. There's nothing wrong with such stories. I enjoy a good medieval yarn or mystery as much as the next writer and you will see many reviews of both fiction and fact here, from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to The Monstrous Middle Ages.



But the reality of the Middle Ages is so much more varied and more fun than what we see in fairy tales, most of which date from the 18th and 19th centuries, anyway. It's not just a bunch of white men in armor knocking each other off horses while old, white men write about them. There's a lot more to see. Welcome aboard.



Paula R. Stiles