The Cairo Geniza and Medieval Global Trade
To what extent is global trade a new phenomenon? Documents from the Cairo Geniza, a cache of manuscripts from a medieval Egyptian synagogue, hold answers to this question, even if getting at them requires knowledge of multiple semitic languages, skill in paleography and bookkeeping worthy of medieval long-distance traders themselves.
New Medieval Books: The Life of Saint Enda, Abbot of Aran
This book offers an English translation of a medieval account of Saint Enda of Aran, a significant figure in early Irish Christianity.
Was the First Medieval Monk a Woman? – Reconsidered
My argument is that contrary to the self-perception and master narrative, the roots of many key aspects of monastic life can be found in much older traditions of female religious life rather than in the imagined world of the desert fathers.
Byzantines and Fatimids at War: The Battles of the Orontes (994) and Apamea (998)
Their armies would meet in battle twice, and in both cases the Byzantine commander would make a fateful decision that would lead to his defeat.
Medieval Childhood: Dark Age or Golden Age?
Nicholas Orme’s lecture uses the huge surviving body of evidence about medieval children to show that children were seen by adults very much as they are today, and enjoyed a rich culture of relationships, clothes, toys, games, and books.
Medieval manuscripts to be showcased in Seoul
Next month some spectacular medieval manuscripts will be on display at the second edition of Frieze Seoul. Les Enluminures will be showcasing the items at the Korean international art fair.
Byzantine ‘magical mirror’ discovered in Israel
A high school student participating in an archaeological dig in northern Israel has uncovered an exceptional find from the Byzantine period—a 1,500-year-old “magical mirror.”
Medieval Toys
In honour of the new Barbie movie, Danièle talks about the games medieval children played, and the toys they played with.
Medieval Anarchy? Autonomous Traditions in Iceland and Ireland
Joint discussion about medieval Iceland and Ireland, and Brehon Law and early Icelandic Law, showing how justice, society, free markets, and lawmaking worked without centralized power.
New Medieval Books: Records of Medieval Newmarket
This book offers translations of various court and manorial records from Newmarket, a small town in southeastern England.