The history of the Middle Ages is becoming 'global' and producing a wealth of new knowledge about the history of globalisations and de-globalisations before modern times. What do the global Middle Ages look like if we follow the thread of girls' stories? In her inaugural lecture as Professor of Medieval History, Serena Ferente reflects on new research avenues, and the way in which apparently 'marginal' stories illuminate the interconnected, vast spaces of the medieval world.