Images of Civil Conflict: One Early Muslim Historian’s Representation of the Umayyad Civil War Caliphs
This thesis examines the ninth-century Baghdadi scholar al-Tabari and his narrative representation of the three civil war caliphs of the Umayyad era (661-750 CE).
Ohthere’s voyages seen from a nautical angle
But whatever Ohthere and his English hosts exchanged in the way of news and information, the re- corded account keeps closely within ränge of its objective: a geography of unknown and little known areas of Scandinavia and their inhabitants.
The Economics of Organizing 9th Century Viking raids
Some scholars have argued that the early raids were a deliberate ‘softening up’ of Europe, a deliberate prelude to land-grabbing. But this view assumes that raiders were displaced farmers, victims of climate change or population pressure.
Why so Many Viking Age Swords in Norway?
Logically it does not seem reasonable that Norway should have had so many more weapons than Sweden and Denmark, not to mention the military superpower Frankia. All the same, it seems that a comparatively rather larger part of the adult and free men were buried with weapons in Norway than in other countries.
If She Says Yes or Is Silent: A New Interpretation of Female Marital Consent in the Settlement Period in Iceland as Revealed Through the Family Sagas
Icelandic Sagas have captivated the minds of casual readers and historians alike due to their complex depiction of character and deeply resonant storylines. All of the characters are highly nuanced and developed, but many times it is the female characters that catch a reader’s attention because of their exceptional level of activity and variety.
Was St Edmund killed by the Vikings in Essex?
If confirmed, the new proposal would change our understanding of the early history of Suffolk and especially of the town and abbey of Bury St Edmunds.
Viking-Age sailing routes of the western Baltic Sea – a matter of safety
Included in the Old English Orosius, compiled at the court of King Alfred the Great of Wessex around 890, are the descriptions of two different late 9th-century Scandinavian sailing routes.
King Alfred, Mercia and London, 874-886: a reassessment
The creation of a new burh in London is seen as a natural development of the system of burhs which had been established by Alfred all over Wessex in the previous two years, following his victory over Guthrum’s forces at Edington
Alfred the Great: The Most Perfect Man in History?
Barbara Yorke considers the reputation of King Alfred the Great – and the enduring cult around his life and legend.
“What If … Charlemagne’s Other Sons had survived?” Charlemagne’s Sons and the Problems of Royal Succession
On January 28th 814, Charlemagne died at the age of 72. His son Louis the Pious succeeded his father into kingship and empire.
Ireland’s Viking Towns
Comparison of recent excavation results from Irish Viking Age towns in terms of location, layout, defences and buildings show that they have many physical traits in common…
Opium in ninth century Baghdad
Much of what we now know about the medicinal value of opium was already known in antiquity. Produced in Egypt, particularly in Thebes, opium was exported all over the Mediterranean world
Hincmar and Anastasius: Lying, Treacherous Villains
Did Anastasius help kidnap and murder the wife and daughter of Pope Adrian II?
The Conversion of Russia to Christianity in the Light of Greek Missionary Activity among the Slavs
What is this? What is this distressing and heavy catastrophe and abomination? Why has this dreadful thunderbolt fallen on us out of the farthest north?
Poetry, Patronage, and Politics: Epic Saints’ Lives in Western Francia, 800-1000
t: Monastic authors in western Francia during the central Middle Ages composed and exchanged Latin verse saints’ lives (vitae metricae) to create communities of saints, emperors, bishops, teachers, and students
Scholars explore Viking fortress in Ireland
Viking scholars from around the world came to the Irish communities of Dundalk and Annagassan last week to take part in a conference…
Unwilling Pilgrimage: Vikings, Relics, and the Politics of Exile during the Carolingian era
Unwilling Pilgrimage: Vikings, Relics, and the Politics of Exile during the Carolingian era By Daniel C. DeSelm PhD Dissertation, University of Michigan, 2009…
Medicine and early Irish law
Medicine and early Irish law Kelly, F. Irish Journal of Medical Science, Volume 170, Number 1 (2001) Abstract The Old Irish law texts,…
Evidence and Intuition: Making Medieval Instruments
Evidence and Intuition: Making Medieval Instruments Adelman, Beth Early Music America (Fall 2005) Abstract The Atlakvida (The Lay of Attila), an 8th-or early 9th-century…
Volcanoes and the Climate Forcing of Carolingian Europe, A.D. 750–950
Revolutionary advances of the natural sciences will transform our understanding of the human past. This case study supports that thesis by connecting new data arising from the last decade’s scientific work in palaeoclimatology with the history of the Carolingian empire.
The later pre-Conquest boroughs and their defences
The later pre-Conquest boroughs and their defences Radford, C.A. Ralegh Medieval Archaeology, Vol.14 (1970) Abstract For nearly two centuries before the Norman Conquest…
Episcopacy and apostolic succession according to Hincmar of Reims
Episcopacy and apostolic succession according to Hincmar of Reims By George Tavard Theological Studies, Vol. 34 (1973) Introduction: Hincmar, a monk from the…
Viking Age Arms and Armor Originating in the Frankish Kingdom
In the examination of material remains, illustrations, and capitularies, the reason why Carolingian arms and armor were prized amongst the Viking nations can be ascertained and evidence found as to how the Vikings came to possess such valued items.
Medieval Dreams: A Sample of Historical and Psychological Criticism
Deep into the Middle Ages, in Western Europe a small group of clergymen, mainly monks, had a monopoly on recording dreams in writing
Early state formation in native medieval Wales
Early state formation in native medieval Wales Jones, Rhys(Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Wales,Aberystwytb, Ceredigion) Political Geography, Vol. 17.No.6, (1998)…