It is Richard III: ‘beyond reasonable doubt’
DNA and other evidence show that the remains of Richard III have been found. ‘We have searched for Richard and found him. Now it is time to honour him,’ says Philippa Langley
‘The Storm is Coming’: Vikings to premiere on History Channel in March
The latest TV Drama that will be focusing on the Middle Ages, Vikings, will be premiering in North America on March 3, 2013. The show will be aired on the History Channel in the United States and History Television in Canada.
Oxford Tolkien Spring School launched
Organised by Oxford University’s Faculty of English Language and Literature where Tolkien taught for most of his career, the spring school is aimed at those who have read some of Tolkien’s fiction and wish to learn more.
Ransoming prisoners of war became widespread in the Hundred Years War, new book finds
‘There is widespread evidence to suggest that during the 15th century the practice of ransom is increasingly extended to commoners, not just kings or chivalrous knights.’
Jews of Medieval Eastern Europe migrated from Caucasus region, study shows
Despite being one of the most genetically analysed groups, the origin of European Jews has remained obscure.
Secret histories of illuminated manuscripts: the MINIARE project
Secret histories of illuminated manuscripts: the MINIARE project From the University of Cambridge An innovative project at the University of Cambridge will uncover…
The man who lost at Stirling Bridge
The Battle of Stirling Bridge, fought on September 11, 1297, is remembered as one Scotland’s greatest military victories and the high point in the career of William Wallace. A new article now explores the other side of that battle, seeking to understand how the English lost that day.
British government temporarily halts export of 700-year-old painting
An early 14th-century painting by Pietro Lorenzetti will not be allowed to leave the United Kingdom, at least temporarily, while an attempt is made to raise over £5 million to purchase the art-piece.
Liverpool University Press acquires Medieval, Classics and History lists from University of Exeter Press
The acquisition includes the following book series: Exeter Medieval Texts and Studies, Exeter Studies in Medieval Europe, Exeter Studies in History, Exeter Maritime Studies and titles under the Bristol Phoenix Press imprint
New DNA test can determine eye and hair colour from people who lived in the Middle Ages
A team of researchers from Poland and the Netherlands have developed a system that is able to answer what the hair and eye colour is from individuals who lived over 800 years ago.
The genesis of chivalry project receives £137,000 in funding
David Crouch of the University of Hull will be able to explore the origins of chivalry in the Middle Ages after being award a Research Fellowship of £137,629 from the Leverhulme Trust.
Results of Richard III search will be announced in the first week of February
The University of Leicester plans to reveal the results of a series of scientific investigations into human remains – which are suspected of being those of King Richard III – in the first week of February.
More pieces from the Staffordshire Hoard discovered
The Staffordshire Hoard has now grown by a further 81 pieces, after a Coroner’s Court declared yesterday that the newly found objects were part of the Anglo-Saxon treasure.
How the Medieval World Adapted to Rise of Islam
Historian from the University of Cincinnati examines how border areas and frontiers of the past adapted to major political, cultural and social shifts, specifically in terms of the rise of Islam in Asia and the Middle East.
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.
Richard III’s raucous Christmas parties
Just as the company Christmas party can lead to embarrassing situations, some 15th century festivities could also lead to scandal.
New Testament from the oldest complete Bible available online for the first time
The New Testament volume from one of the British Library’s most valuable treasures, Codex Alexandrinus, has been made available online for the first time on the British Library’s website.
Greenland’s Viking settlers gorged on seals
A Danish-Canadian research team has demonstrated the Norse society did not die out due to an inability to adapt to the Greenlandic diet: an isotopic analysis of their bones shows they ate plenty of seals.
Old Bones: Possible Richard III remains and DNA link found
What she found was the skeleton of a body with scoliosis, a curved spine, much like historical descriptions of King Richard. But in order to determine if the remains are indeed his, scientists must now compare the DNA of the remains with that of Richard’s living descendent—Canadian Michael Ibsen.
Environmental impact of the Baltic Crusades: deforestation, animal extinction, dogs no longer on the menu
A multidisciplinary project seeks to understand the environmental impact of the Baltic Crusades. Horses, for example, aided the Christians in battle, while the castles the Crusaders built decimated forests.
Researchers find more links between the Black Death and Justinian’s plague
Researchers from the University of Tuebingen in Germany are uncovering more evidence that is linking the Black Death with earlier plagues.
Funding given to commemorate the 500th Anniversary of the Battle of Flodden
The Flodden 500 Project will receive £887,300 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to commemorate the 500th anniversary of one of the largest battles ever fought between Scottish and English forces.
Crusader sword sells for £163,250
A rare medieval sword, which had been given to the Mamluk rulers of Egypt and then looted from them by the same Crusader king, sold for £163,250 at auction this week, with an entire collection taking in bids over £ 1 million.
Archaeological dig in Northern Ireland uncovers huge haul of medieval artefacts
Archaeologists have been impressed by the huge treasure trove of artefacts that have been discovered so far during excavations of a crannog in Northern Ireland.
The Geese Book – medieval manuscript now available online
One of the most interesting manuscripts of the late Middle Ages is now available online – The Geese Book, a lavishly and whimsically illuminated, two-volume liturgical book, can now be accessed through a project from the Arizona Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies.