Top Ten Medieval Articles of 2012
In first place is an article about a very unusual dance craze from the 16th century. As usual, articles about to world of sex in the Middle Ages can be found among top ten list, as does papers about Tolkien, the Vikings, and Richard the Lionheart.
Top 10 Medieval News Stories of 2012
The year 2012 was one of fascinating discoveries, some of which made international news. The year ends with something of a cliffhanger, as our #1 story has not yet come to a conclusion.
Sine Nomine: Ensemble for Medieval Music
Profile of the Toronto-based quartet Sine Nomine, with two videos from a recent performance.
Seven Medieval Christmas Traditions
Christmas in medieval Europe could include feasting, gambling, one-day marriages, boy bishops and trolls.
Poculi Ludique Societas shows how to perform a Christmas play, medieval style
A Medieval Christmas: Go We hence to Bethlehem’s Bower – playing this weekend in Toronto
Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
I’m here not to pander to the fandom, but be brutally honest as a Tolkien lover: The Hobbit was just not that good. In fact, dare I say it, *gasps!*, it wasn’t good at all.
INTERVIEW: Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths
An interview with author Nancy Brown on her latest medieval offering: “Song of the Vikings: Snorri and the Making of Norse Myths”.
Beowulf and Boyology: The Processes of Medievalism
Between 1870 and 1914 more than twenty children’s versions of Beowulf were published, with twenty more done in rest of 20th century.
Medieval Cures from The Alphabet of Galen
Use green mint to stop hiccups, radish to relieve aching joints and donkey dung as toothpaste! Some medieval cures from the Alphabet of Galen, the pharmacy handbook of the Middle Ages.
Tasting Histories Lecture: “Seasonal and Local Dining in the Middle Ages”
This was a paper given at the University of Toronto by Yale Professor, Paul freedman, on food during the Middle Ages and Early Modern period.
“Kid Beowulf” – A New Graphic Novel for Kids!
I had the chance to interview graphic novelist Alexis Fajardo about his new children’s comic book Kid Beowulf!
The Strange Death of Richard the Lionhearted
Why did Richard I, a seasoned and expert warrior, expose himself to a bowman’s shot?
“The Eucharist and the Negotiation of Orthodoxy in the High Middle Ages”
This paper is part of Adam Hoose’s dissertation. It examined the differences between Waldensians and Franciscans in their treatment of the Eucharist. It also explored why the Waldensians were unsuccessful in their bid to become a legitimate religious order and were eventually marginalized as heretics.
Death on the Dorset Ridgeway: a Viking Murder Mystery
Angela Boyle recounts the extraordinary archaeological discovery made in the summer of 2009 in Dorset in southwest England.
‘In the Beginning’: The London Medieval Graduate Network Inaugural Conference
This is a summary of the The London Medieval Graduate Network Inaugural Conference by Rachel Scott. The conference was held on November 2nd at King’s College London.
Medieval Book History Week Lecture: “Practical Latin and Formal English in the 14th-15th Centuries”
This lecture is part of Medieval Book History Week. Renown Professor Jeremy Catto spoke about literacy and language in England during the later Middle Ages at the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies at the University of Toronto.
Medieval Halloween! Great books for Ghosts, Goblins, Witches & Ghouls!
Some spooktacular reads to celebrate Medieval Halloween!
Medieval Podcasts
Here are eighteen podcasts/radio programs you can listen to which offer great content on the Middle Ages.
The Story of Richard III as Graphic Novel
Check out these great illustrations made by Emma Viceli
Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament – a Review
What is Medieval Times? Medievalists.net decided to see for ourselves and go to the Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Toronto, Canada. Here is our review of the show:
Castle for Sale: Ballyfinboy Castle, Ireland
This Irish fortress was built around 1480, and comes with two-and-a-half acres of land, with the Ballyfinboy river forming the boundary to the north.
What did a wedding in medieval Damascus look like?
A bride being dressed and adorned; local people gathering to watch; gifts lavished, feasts prepared – these are all customs one would see in a modern day wedding. According to a recent article, these customs were also part of weddings in medieval Damascus although they had their unique Middle Eastern flavour.
Castle for Sale: Ballymaquiff Castle, Ireland
This historic Irish Castle was probably built by the De Burgo family in the late 14th/ early 15th century. This fortified tower house comes with four acres of land, is situated next to the old Sligo/ Limerick railway line.