The English Historical Review has reached a significant milestone with the publication of its 600th issue. Established in 1886, the journal has been a leading platform for historical research. To mark this occasion, we have selected ten medieval articles from its collection of free and open-access pieces, showcasing the breadth of scholarship available.
By Peter Brown
The English Historical Review, January 1973
This article examines the Iconoclastic Controversy, a significant theological and political conflict within the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th centuries. Peter Brown analyzes the origins and implications of the dispute over the veneration of icons, exploring its impact on Byzantine society and its role in shaping the empire’s religious and cultural identity.
By Jonathan Riley-Smith
The English Historical Review, October 1983
This article examines the motivations of the first crusaders and their subsequent settlement in Latin Palestine between 1095 and 1100. Jonathan Riley-Smith analyzes contemporary sources to understand the personal, religious, and socio-economic factors that influenced individuals to join the Crusades. He also explores how these motivations affected the establishment and governance of crusader states in the Levant.
By Roberta Frank
The English Historical Review, April 1984
This article explores the historical authenticity of the “blood eagle” ritual, a supposed method of execution in Viking culture. Roberta Frank analyzes skaldic poetry and saga narratives, arguing that the blood eagle may have been a literary invention or a misinterpretation of poetic metaphors rather than an actual historical practice.
By David Bates
The English Historical Review, October 1989
This article examines the political and cultural transformations in Normandy and England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. David Bates analyzes the integration of Norman and Anglo-Saxon institutions, the consolidation of Norman authority, and the resulting shifts in governance and society.
By Peter Heather
The English Historical Review, February 1995
This article examines the role of the Huns in the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Peter Heather argues that the Huns’ incursions into Europe triggered a domino effect, causing various Germanic tribes to migrate into Roman territories, which overwhelmed the Empire’s capacity to manage these pressures.
By Christopher J. Tyerman
The English Historical Review, July 1995
This article examines the definition and scope of the Crusades during the twelfth century. C. J. Tyerman analyzes contemporary sources to question traditional interpretations of what constituted a crusade in that era. The study challenges established views and offers a nuanced understanding of the religious and military campaigns of the time.
By Henry Mayr-Harting
The English Historical Review, November 1996
This article examines the relationship between Charlemagne’s military campaigns against the Saxons and his imperial coronation in 800. Henry Mayr-Harting explores how the protracted Saxon wars influenced Charlemagne’s quest for imperial legitimacy and authority.
By Bryan Ward-Perkins
The English Historical Review, June 2000
This article examines why the Anglo-Saxons, after settling in Britain, did not adopt more of the native Britons’ cultural and linguistic traits. Bryan Ward-Perkins explores the extent of interaction between the Anglo-Saxons and the Britons, considering factors such as migration patterns, social structures, and power dynamics.
By Malcolm Vale
The English Historical Review, June 2021
This review article commemorates the 100th anniversary of Johan Huizinga’s seminal work, The Autumn of the Middle Ages. Malcolm Vale reflects on the enduring impact of Huizinga’s analysis of late medieval European culture, discussing its historiographical significance and the debates it has inspired over the past century.
By Len Scales
The English Historical Review, April 2022
This article examines the processes of unification and differentiation in Europe between 950 and 1350. Len Scales explores how emerging cultural unities coexisted with and even fostered divisions, challenging the notion of a steadily homogenizing medieval Europe.
Also, check out Celebrating the 600th English Historical Review, where the editors have asked historians to reflect on some of the works published in the journal.
The English Historical Review has reached a significant milestone with the publication of its 600th issue. Established in 1886, the journal has been a leading platform for historical research. To mark this occasion, we have selected ten medieval articles from its collection of free and open-access pieces, showcasing the breadth of scholarship available.
1. A Dark-Age Crisis: Aspects of the Iconoclastic Controversy
By Peter Brown
The English Historical Review, January 1973
This article examines the Iconoclastic Controversy, a significant theological and political conflict within the Byzantine Empire during the 8th and 9th centuries. Peter Brown analyzes the origins and implications of the dispute over the veneration of icons, exploring its impact on Byzantine society and its role in shaping the empire’s religious and cultural identity.
2. The Motives of the Earliest Crusaders and the Settlement of Latin Palestine, 1095–1100
By Jonathan Riley-Smith
The English Historical Review, October 1983
This article examines the motivations of the first crusaders and their subsequent settlement in Latin Palestine between 1095 and 1100. Jonathan Riley-Smith analyzes contemporary sources to understand the personal, religious, and socio-economic factors that influenced individuals to join the Crusades. He also explores how these motivations affected the establishment and governance of crusader states in the Levant.
3. Viking Atrocity and Skaldic Verse: The Rite of the Blood-Eagle
By Roberta Frank
The English Historical Review, April 1984
This article explores the historical authenticity of the “blood eagle” ritual, a supposed method of execution in Viking culture. Roberta Frank analyzes skaldic poetry and saga narratives, arguing that the blood eagle may have been a literary invention or a misinterpretation of poetic metaphors rather than an actual historical practice.
4. Normandy and England after 1066
By David Bates
The English Historical Review, October 1989
This article examines the political and cultural transformations in Normandy and England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. David Bates analyzes the integration of Norman and Anglo-Saxon institutions, the consolidation of Norman authority, and the resulting shifts in governance and society.
5. The Huns and the End of the Roman Empire in Western Europe
By Peter Heather
The English Historical Review, February 1995
This article examines the role of the Huns in the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. Peter Heather argues that the Huns’ incursions into Europe triggered a domino effect, causing various Germanic tribes to migrate into Roman territories, which overwhelmed the Empire’s capacity to manage these pressures.
6. Were There Any Crusades in the Twelfth Century?
By Christopher J. Tyerman
The English Historical Review, July 1995
This article examines the definition and scope of the Crusades during the twelfth century. C. J. Tyerman analyzes contemporary sources to question traditional interpretations of what constituted a crusade in that era. The study challenges established views and offers a nuanced understanding of the religious and military campaigns of the time.
7. Charlemagne, the Saxons, and the Imperial Coronation of 800
By Henry Mayr-Harting
The English Historical Review, November 1996
This article examines the relationship between Charlemagne’s military campaigns against the Saxons and his imperial coronation in 800. Henry Mayr-Harting explores how the protracted Saxon wars influenced Charlemagne’s quest for imperial legitimacy and authority.
8. Why Did the Anglo-Saxons Not Become More British?
By Bryan Ward-Perkins
The English Historical Review, June 2000
This article examines why the Anglo-Saxons, after settling in Britain, did not adopt more of the native Britons’ cultural and linguistic traits. Bryan Ward-Perkins explores the extent of interaction between the Anglo-Saxons and the Britons, considering factors such as migration patterns, social structures, and power dynamics.
9. Huizinga’s Autumntide: The Centenary of a Masterpiece
By Malcolm Vale
The English Historical Review, June 2021
This review article commemorates the 100th anniversary of Johan Huizinga’s seminal work, The Autumn of the Middle Ages. Malcolm Vale reflects on the enduring impact of Huizinga’s analysis of late medieval European culture, discussing its historiographical significance and the debates it has inspired over the past century.
10. Ever Closer Union? Unification, Difference, and the ‘Making of Europe’, c.950–c.1350
By Len Scales
The English Historical Review, April 2022
This article examines the processes of unification and differentiation in Europe between 950 and 1350. Len Scales explores how emerging cultural unities coexisted with and even fostered divisions, challenging the notion of a steadily homogenizing medieval Europe.
Also, check out Celebrating the 600th English Historical Review, where the editors have asked historians to reflect on some of the works published in the journal.
Related Posts
Subscribe to Medievalverse