Isabella of France, Queen of England
This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle tells the story of one of her favourite queens, Isabella of France, who went from being a child bride to storming England and toppling an anointed king.
A comparative study of Urraca of León-Castilla (d. 1126), Melisende of Jerusalem (d. 1161), and Empress Matilda of England (d. 1167) as royal heiresses
This thesis explores aspects of rulership over five chapters, aimed at understanding how a royal heiress might succeed or fail to gain the throne, keep the throne, and preserve it for future generations.
Imperatrix, Domina, Rex: Conceptualizing the Female King in Twelfth-Century England
This study makes a case for the inclusion of the identity of the “female king,” specifically through the example of the early twelfth-century Empress Matilda, in trans studies.
Medieval witches with Gemma Hollman
It’s the spookiest season, which means it’s the perfect time to investigate medieval witches. This week, Danièle speaks with Gemma Hollman, author of Royal Witches, about some of the fifteenth century’s most high profile accusations of witchcraft.
Corporate Monarchy in the Twelfth-Century Kingdom of Jerusalem
While the conflicts between Queen Melisende of Jerusalem and the men in her family have received considerable scholarly attention, explanations for the ease with which they reconciled remain elusive.
She-Wolves: Medieval Queens with Helen Castor
From the submissive to the scandalous, medieval queens held a huge amount of influence over the politics of the day. In this episode, Danièle speaks with Dr. Helen Castor about queenship, the challenges of studying even the most prominent medieval women, and how their stories still resonate today.
Intercession and Motherhood: The Queenships of Philippa of Hainault and Anne of Bohemia
How successful were the queenships of the fourteenth-century consorts Philippa of Hainault and Anne of Bohemia?
English Queenship 1445-1503
The Wars of the Roses marked a period of political instability which brought into question existing ideologies of kingship and, within that, of queenship, reshaping the latter office and its rituals.
Book Tour: The King’s Pearl by Melita Thomas
We’re pleased to announce another book tour underway, with Melita Thomas unveiling her latest: The King’s Pearl: Henry VIII and His Daughter Mary on Medievalists.net. The book is a re-examination of Henry VIII’s eldest daughter, Mary, and her relationship with her father.
Joanna II of Anjou-Durazzo, the Glorious Queen
This short essay reflects on Queen Joanna as a test case of both the difficulties and the potential that always reside in communication and confrontation between disciplines, even when they are as closely related as history and art history.
10 Medieval Royal Parents Whose Decisions Influence the Lives of Royal Children Today
From royal baby names to marrying for love – how five medieval English couples influence the lives of royal children today.
Eleanor of Aquitaine: A Queen and A Mother
The mere mention of Eleanor of Aquitaine brings to mind an remarkable woman in many respects.
Isabel of Aragon (d. 1336): Model Queen or Model Saint?
This study of Isabel of Aragon (c. 1270–1336), wife of King Dinis of Portugal (1279–1325), who was venerated as a saint from shortly after her death, aims to explore the relationship between Isabel’s queenship and her sainthood.
Raising infanta Catalina de Aragón to be Catherine Queen of England
My aim in this study is to focus on queenship, particularly the formative years before 1509 when she was learning to be a queen.
Intercession and Motherhood: The Queenships of Philippa of Hainault and Anne of Bohemia
In this post, author Conor Byrne discusses the rule of two medieval queens: Anne of Bohemia and Philippa of Hainault.
The Medieval Magazine: Celebrating International Women’s Day (Volume 3, Issue 4)
We’ve just released our latest issue of the Medieval Magazine in celebration of International Women’s Day!
Queenship in England: 1308-1485 Gender and Power in the Late Middle Ages: Book Tour and Giveaway!
Medieval Readers! Today, we’re hosting day 3 of Conor Byrne’s Book Tour and running an international contest to give away a copy of his latest novel: Queenship in England: 1308-1485 Gender and Power in the Late Middle Ages Want a chance to win it?
Genghis Khan’s Womenfolk: How Imperial Women Shaped the Mongol Conquests and the Mongol Empire
In this lecture, Professor Broadbridge will present three key moments from Mongol history to illustrate the way that imperial women’s contributions have dramatically changed Mongol history as we know it.
Anne of Kiev (c.1024–c.1075) and a reassessment of maternal power in the minority kingship of Philip I of France
Anne of Kiev was the only medieval princess of Rus’ to travel to France for a dynastic marriage with a French king
Gloriosa Regina or “Alien Queen”? Some Reconsiderations on Anna Yaroslavna’s Queenship (r. 1050-1075)
Gloriosa Regina or “Alien Queen”? Some Reconsiderations on Anna Yaroslavna’s Queenship (r. 1050-1075) By Talia Zajac Royal Studies Journal, Vol.3:1 (2016) Abstract: The article questions…
Richard I and Berengaria of Navarre
Berengaria of’ Navarre was brought to Richard’s court, then at Messina in Sicily, in March 1191. She accompanied the crusader-king on his journey east and they were married in Cyprus, at Limassol, on 12 May 1191.
Isabelle of Angoulême: Jezebel of the Middle Ages?
Matthew Paris said that, ‘she ought to be called a wicked Jezebel, rather than Isabel.’