Discussions of the relationship between time and medieval artworks often hinge on examinations of use and reception: how has the meaning of this object changed over time?
Reconstruction of a Judicial Duel c. 1400
May 25, 2013 By
Watch this demonstration of a judicial duel at the turn of the 15th century, presented at the International Congress on Medieval Studies in 2013
The Garments of Guy in the Bayeux Tapestry
May 24, 2013 By
In her paper, Gale R. Owen-Crocker looks at how the late 11th century frieze portrays Guy, Count of Ponthieu.
Civic and Religious Understanding of the Mentally Ill, Incompetent, and Disabled of Medieval England
May 20, 2013 By
This brief summary covered the fourth paper given at KZOO’s Mental Health in Non-medical Terms. It covered ways in which theologians, like Thomas Aquinas, tried to categorize mental disability. Aquinas also tried to prove that the mentally impaired were able to receive sacraments depending their lucidity and where they fit in his four categories. It was an interesting and enjoyable paper.
Prince Hal’s Head-Wound: Cause and Effect
May 20, 2013 By
The future King Henry V was hit by an arrow to the face at the Battle of Shrewsbury – how did he survive?
Mental Disability and Intellectual Impairment in the Middle Ages: Some Preliminary Research Findings
May 19, 2013 By
This interesting paper was one of the four given in the Mental Health in Non-medical Terms session at KZOO. It looked at philosophy, iconography and the way mental disability was viewed in the Middle Ages.
Expenses Related to Corporal Punishment in France
May 19, 2013 By
How much did the hangman get paid to carry out his deed?
Going Mad in French: Royal Notaries and Charles V’s Translation Project
May 19, 2013 By
This was another interesting paper from the Mental Health in Non-medical Terms session at KZOO on notaries, and how crimes committed under “mental duress” were processed.
Infant Burials and Christianization: The View from East Central Europe
May 19, 2013 By
This was the second paper in the Early Medieval Europe I series given at KZOO and another fabulous archaeology paper. It contrasted infant grave sites in early converted medieval Poland and Anglo Saxon England.
Feasting with Early Medieval Chiefs: Locating Political Action through Environmental Archaeology
May 18, 2013 By
This excellent paper was the first given in the session on Early Medieval Europe. It looked at various archaeological excavations in Iceland and Denmark and the political role feasting played in pre-Christian Viking societies.
Louis the Pious and the Conversion of the Danes
May 17, 2013 By
This paper was part of a very interesting session on the Early Middle Ages. The papers covered Eastern European Infant Burial, the archaeology of medieval feasting and conversion. This paper contrasted the conversion policies of Charlemagne versus those of Louis the Pious.
Man Bites Dog: Alarming Effects of Medieval Animal Venom
May 16, 2013 By
This paper was part of a fantastic series on mental health and disability in the Middle Ages. It was very humorous. This paper examined various types of bites, the “medieval symptoms” and some cures. So if you don’t want to bark like a dog, or lash out at people with your teeth, read on…
William the Conqueror and the Channel Crossing of 1066
May 16, 2013 By
William the Conqueror waited several weeks before making his maritime crossing of the English Channel in 1066 – was he hampered by weathered or did the Norman Duke intentionally remain in Normandy, hoping that events in Anglo-Saxon England would turn to his favour?
Androgynes, Crossdressers, and Rebel Queens: Modern Representations of Medieval Women Warriors from Tolkien to Martin
May 15, 2013 By
This was another stellar paper given at the Tales after Tolkien session. It was an intriguing look at the women of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and George R. R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones and how each author portrays the mother and warrior characters of Galadriel/Cersi/Daenerys and Eowyn/Arya/Brienne. The paper examined the differences and problems posed by the portrayal of women in theses fantasy novels.
The Meaning of the Middle Ages: Fans, Authors, and Industry
May 15, 2013 By
This was a very enjoyable paper given on the topic of medievalism and the predominance of a European perspective in almost all fantasy literature. Young examined three authors who were moving away from the traditional telling of fantasy by subverting the typical pseudo-medieval narrative or by moving away from European cultures towards embracing Eastern, Aztec and other non-European worlds.
George R. R. Martin’s Quest for Realism in A Song of Ice and Fire
May 14, 2013 By
This was my last session of KZOO this year and it was the perfect way to end a great conference. This series was dedicated to examining medievalism in fantasy literature with the dominant topic being George R. R. Martin and Tolkien.
Are We Post-Queer? A Roundtable on the Present and Future of Queer Theory in Medieval Studies
May 14, 2013 By
This was part of an excellent panel discussion on the future Queer Theory, pedagogy, gender and the cross over between Queer Studies and politics.
Chivalry and Public Disorder in Thirteenth-Century Florence
May 13, 2013 By
The was the second of two fabulous papers given at the my first session on Medieval violence. Whereas the first paper in this series looked at violence in the university setting, this one tackled violence in an elite sphere – Florentine knights and their retinues.
Student Violence at the University of Oxford
May 9, 2013 By
My first foray of KZOO 2013 couldn’t have been off to a better start with, “I just don’t want to die without a few scars”: Medieval Fight Clubs, Masculine Identity, and Public (Dis)order. There were only two papers in this session and both were riveting. I felt like I couldn’t type fast enough to get it all in! The first paper was given by Professor Andrew Larsen of Marquette University. Professor Larsen published a book on high and late medieval student violence and the Saint Scholastica’s Day Riot at Oxford university.
Ten papers to look forward to at the 48th International Congress on Medieval Studies
January 19, 2013 By
Western Michigan University has released a sneak preview of the schedule for this year’s International Congress on Medieval Studies.
The Kalamazoo Diaries – new play takes on the crazy world of the International Congress on Medieval Studies
July 1, 2012 By
Medievalists might be cringing or laughing until they cry soon, as a new play is in the works that takes a look at one of their most famous gatherings: the International Congress on Medieval Studies.
Famine and Pestilence in the Irish Sea Region, 500–800 AD
June 27, 2012 By
Michelle Ziegler examines the questions on why does plagues seemed so much worse in the Middle Ages. Why did medieval populations die so much more frequently? Was it because of malnutrition?
Queer Pedagogy (A Roundtable)
June 21, 2012 By
A roundtable discussion on teaching Queer Theory with Susannah Mary Chewning (Union County College) Lisa Weston (California State University–Fresno); and Michelle M. Sauer, (University of North Dakota)
Perfect Virgins and Suicidal Maniacs: Monks in Early Thirteenth-Century Pastoralia
May 18, 2012 By
This summary is of a paper that was the last in the English Cistercian series at Kalamazoo.
Fuck This: On Finally Letting Go (A Roundtable)
May 17, 2012 By
A summary of the controversial “Fuck This” session at Kalamazoo.
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