X-rays identify medieval manuscript ink
Analyzing pigments in medieval illuminated manuscript pages at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) is opening up some new areas of research bridging the arts and sciences.
Archaeologists unearth medieval treasures at Pictish fort
Scottish archaeologists exploring a Pictish fort have discovered surprising treasures, including an eleven-hundred year old coin.
St Columba’s cell revealed by archaeologists
This discovery is massive. St Columba is a key figure in Western Christendom. He was the national patron saint of Scotland in the Middle Ages.
Love, Freedom, and Marital Fidelity in Malory’s Morte Darthur
If we examine closely Malory’s representation of courtship and marriage — a sphere of human activity within knightly society where men’s and women’s interests and activities converge — we will realize that he is not at all “misogynistic.”
Pharmacy, Testing, and the Language of Truth in Renaissance Italy
This article examines the role of testing and innovation in sixteenth-century Italian pharmacy. I argue that apothecaries were less concerned with testing drugs for efficacy or creating novel products than with reactivating an older Mediterranean pharmacological tradition and studying the materials on which it relied.
The Viking Shield in the British Isles: Changes in use from the 8th-11th Century in England and the Isle of Man
The Viking Shield in the British Isles: Changes in use from the 8th-11th Century in England and the Isle of Man By Emma…
Malaria and malaria-like disease in the early Middle Ages
This paper clears up contours of malaria’s occurrence in Frankish Europe. It surveys sources relevant to its study and establishes guidelines for retrospectively diagnosing the disease.
New Medieval Books: Iceland
Five new books for those interested in the sagas and society of Iceland during the Middle Ages.
What’s more bloody – Game of Thrones or the Wars of the Roses?
Has Game of Thrones become far too bloody? Surprisingly, statistical analyses actually indicate that the fictional show is quite realistic compared to a real life medieval civil war.
Why do People Keep Things (including Manuscripts)?
In this paper, I will describe the broad outlines of a deep history of storage, with special reference to habits for storing and using manuscripts and legal acts among the laity of later medieval Europe.
Fatimid State Documents, Serial Recyclers and the Cairo Geniza
Among the many unexpected finds the Cairo Geniza has yielded are hundreds—possibly thousands—of medieval documents of state in Arabic script.
Aristotle and the Medieval University: The Birth of a New Book Format
This paper focuses on manuscripts with Latin copies of Aristotle’s works produced for educational purposes between c. 1100 and c. 1300.
Characteristics of Gothic Cathedrals in France and their Structural Elements
Cathedrals represent some of the finest examples of interconnections architectural, aesthetic, functional, but also the structural design of the building
Constraining Elites: The Self-Enforcing Constitution of the Patricians of Venice
This paper analyzes how late Middle Age and Renaissance era Venice achieved economic prosperity despite being ruled by elite patricians.
The Cadaver Synod: Low Point in the History of the Papacy
The notorious Cadaver Synod, when one Pope put on trial the corpse of one of his predecessors. Perhaps the lowest point in the history of the Papacy, the story of this trial is as murky as it is strange.
Call for Papers: The Medieval Horse – IMC 2018
Call for Papers for the sessions on THE MEDIEVAL HORSE at the International Medieval Congress 2018 at Leeds, 2-5 July 2018
Stay in a Medieval Castle in Ireland!
Are you a history lover looking for a unique experience? Become an authentic medieval “overknighter” at The Black Castle
Viking Bling: Five Fabulous Hoards
These buried collections of shiny, sparkly, special objects have been a source of wonder and discovery for over a thousand years.
Digging up fun at York
The Coppergate Shopping Centre, the site of one of the most famous archaeological digs of modern times, will be transformed into a hands-on archaeological adventure this week to celebrate the annual Festival of Archaeology.
Ramon Llull and The Book of the Order of Chivalry: an attempt to retake the ideals of the Christian Chivalry
This study has as theme the resumption of the ideal of Christian Chivalry, or milles Christi, present in The Book of the Order of Chivalry, from Ramon Llull.
Shapeshifting in Old Norse-Icelandic Literature
This article aims to cast a light upon the colorful yet largely unknown shapechanging motifs found in Old Norse-Icelandic literature as well as in related literary works conceived from Classical times until the middle of the 16th century
Cheat Sheet to the Medieval Henrys
Are you confused by all the medieval people named Henry? Cait Stevenson provides you this awesome guide!
Medievalists at the Movies: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword premiered May 2017 MAN CANDY ALERT! When I sat down to watch “King Arthur” over this past…
The Medieval Magazine (Volume 3, No. 12) : Medieval Nation
In this issue we tackle National Holidays and the development of Nations, manuscripts at the Getty, and look at courtly festivities and jousting in London. We’re also baking bread Viking style, taking a trip to Avignon, and joining the medieval navy!
Top 10 Most Brutal Medieval Deaths
When being broken on the wheel is not enough! Ten brutal ways to die from the Middle Ages.