Tommy Olofsson examines the Clog Man, a medieval wall painting in a Swedish church – what was it really about?
Medieval Gothic Cathedrals were built from iron and stone, researchers find
December 17, 2014 By
Using radiocarbon dating on metal found in Gothic cathedrals, an interdisciplinary team has shown, for the first time through absolute dating, that iron was used to reinforce stone from the construction phase.
Which Medieval English Cathedral are you?
December 16, 2014 By
Everyone loves visiting England’s wonderful medieval cathedrals. However, it’s not quite as easy as taking a multiple-choice internet quiz! At last, now you can find out which one of the diocesan mother churches of the Middle Ages can be assigned to your exact personality type!
Latin Grammar in the Cathedral School: Fulbert of Chartres, Bonipert of Pécs, and the Way of a Lost Priscian Manuscript
November 30, 2014 By
The starting point of the classical tradition in medieval Hungary is marked by a letter written by Bishop Fulbert of Chartres in Northern France to Bishop Bonipert of Pécs in Southern Hungary.
‘Hag of the Castle:’ Women, Family, and Community in Later Medieval Ireland
November 30, 2014 By
In a letter written as part of his work for the Irish Department of the Ordnance Survey in 1840, Thomas O’Conor recorded his reaction to a “Sheela- na-gig” sculpture—the image of a naked woman shown exposing her genitalia (fig. 1)—that he saw on the old church at Kiltinane, Co. Tipperary.
The Bones of St. Cuthbert: Defining a Saint’s Cult in Medieval Northumbria
November 19, 2014 By
This paper investigates the social, political, and religious changes and tensions which surrounded the cult of St. Cuthbert in medieval Northumbria. Specific comparisons are made between the Anglo-Saxon and Norman periods in English history, and how St. Cuthbert’s cult responded to the Norman Conquest in 1066.
Places to See: Notre Dame – Part I
November 17, 2014 By
Part I of my initial visit to stunning Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France.
Labyrinths in medieval churches: An investigation of form and function
November 14, 2014 By
This thesis analyzed the designs of a select group of labyrinths set into the pavements of Gothic churches in northern France.
The Archaeology of St Paul’s Cathedral
November 8, 2014 By
Recent work has brought together what we know of the Anglo-Saxon and medieval cathedrals beneath and around Wren’s St Paul’s, the City of London’s most important historic building and monument.
£8.3 million in funding for 31 English Cathedrals
November 5, 2014 By
The First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund announced last month that they will be giving out £8.3 million to help 25 Church of England and six Catholic cathedrals undertake repairs and restorations.
Quiz: Which Cathedral in England is this?
September 30, 2014 By
Can you figure out which English Cathedral this is, just based on the picture?
Top 10 Medieval Ruins in England
September 28, 2014 By
Haunting and beautiful, the ruined sites of England offer a way for people to see the Middle Ages in a raw way, revealing how centuries of abandonment have changed these castles and churches.
Fiat Lux: Chartres Cathedral’s Representation of Medieval Culture Seen Through 21st Century Design
September 25, 2014 By
Chartres Cathedral in France exists as a time capsule of its culture, an exhibition of material, religious, and social values, and a testament to the expert craft guild that flourished in the city.
10 Things to See at Southwark Cathedral
September 24, 2014 By
My 10 favourite things about Southwark Cathedral.
Quiz: Medieval Church Architecture
September 14, 2014 By
Here are ten questions based on Jon Cannon’s new book Medieval Church Architecture, which offers a guide on how to understand the design of churches in medieval England
The cultural identity of medieval Silesia: the case of art and architecture
August 11, 2014 By
The cultural identity of architecture and visual arts of the Middle Ages in Silesia can be analyzed in the following frameworks: 1.) the distinct formal features of local artwork; 2.) the specific content expressed through it. Macro factors (the type of materials and their availability) are important in architecture, as are architectural patterns and styles.
Remains of medieval church discovered in Nottinghamshire
July 17, 2014 By
The remains of a medieval church, which was once part of Rufford Abbey in Northamptonshire, England, have been uncovered after a two-week dig.
The Identity of the St Bees Lady, Cumbria: An Osteobiographical Approach
June 23, 2014 By
USING AN OSTEOBIOGRAPHICAL approach, this contribution considers the identity of the woman found alongside the St Bees Man, one of the best-preserved archaeological bodies ever discovered. Osteological, isotopic and radiocarbon analyses, combined with the archaeo- logical context of the burial and documented social history, provide the basis for the identifica- tion of a late 14th-century heiress whose activities were at the heart of medieval northern English geopolitics.
Quiz: Can You Name the Location of These Churches?
June 14, 2014 By
Which city are these famous churches located? It’s a mix of medieval and non-medieval, so beware for some difficult ones!
Medieval Graffiti project wins national award
June 12, 2014 By
A local community archaeology project that searches Norfolk’s medieval churches for medieval graffiti inscriptions has received national recognition this week with the announcement that it has been award the prestigious ‘Most Innovative’ Award by the national Community Archive and Heritage Group (CAHG).
Videos on Medieval Stained Glass
May 18, 2014 By
These seven short videos explore topics around stained glass and its use in medieval churches.
BOOKS: Canterbury Cathedral
May 4, 2014 By
After visiting Canterbury Cathedral, I was inspired to suggest books that relate to Canterbury’s famous Archbishops, history and beauty.
Community Conflict and Collective Memory in the Late Medieval Parish Church
May 1, 2014 By
What role does conflict play in the formation of community identity? And how do powerful, even violent, moments sustain that identity throughout centuries of change and transformation?
Unlocking the secrets to Sweden’s Holy King
April 23, 2014 By
Researchers in Sweden have opened the casket of King Erik IX, and hope to analyze his bones to understand more about the health of the twelfth-century ruler and to even make sure these remains are his.
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