‘Royal Icons’ of Medieval Georgia
Medieval Georgian monarchs developed their own “icon politics” adapted to the current political situation and their own ideological agendas.
The power and journeys of the True Cross and other holy relics, with Lynn Jones
A conversation with Lynn Jones on how fragments of the True Cross were requested, gifted, traveled, repatriated, abducted, and returned in the early Byzantine period; how they were used to validate rival claims to power; and the anxiety caused by doubts over their authenticity.
St. Francis, Disability, and Illness, with Donna Trembinski
One of the world’s most well-known and beloved medieval saints is, of course, St. Francis, a man who faced many tribulations in the form of physical illness and disability. This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle speaks with Donna Trembinski about what we can learn about the person behind the saint by studying how his physical life affected his spiritual life.
Religion and the Military: The Good Duke as a Christian Warrior
How Louis II, Duke of Bourbon, melded his role as a warrior with his Christian piety.
Historical document details martyrdom of Japanese Christian retainers 400 years ago
New research has uncovered a letter indicating that Hosokawa Tadaoki, lord of the Kokura domain from 1600 to 1620, ordered the execution of Diego Hayato Kagayama, a chief vassal of the Hosokawa family, and the banishment of Genya Ogasawara, both Christians.
Miracle Stories
It’s medieval storytime! This week, Danièle reads from Caesarius of Heisterbach’s Dialogue on Miracles, including the story of a sinful student, and the woman who took the baby Jesus hostage, as well as a few other fun tales from this thirteenth-century book for monastic novices.
Early Christian relics examined and dated by researchers
For more than 1500 years, this site has held the believed remains of two of the earliest Christians and Jesu apostles: St. Philip and St. James the Younger – relics of the Holy Catholic Church.
‘Remarkable women’: Female patronage of religious institutions, 1300-1550
This conference seeks to explore the ways in which women patronised and interacted with monasteries and religious houses during the late Middle Ages, how they commissioned devotional and commemorative art for monastic settings, and the ways in which these donations were received and understood by their intended audiences.
From India to Byzantium, with Paroma Chatterjee
A conversation with Paroma Chatterjee on Indian perspectives and approaches to Byzantium.
From The Hobbit to Early Christian Burial in Scotland, with Adrián Maldonado
Kate Buchanan is joined by Adrián Maldonado to discuss Adrián’s journey to studying medieval Scottish history and his work on early Christian burial in Scotland and his current work with the Glenmorangie Research Project.
The Feast of Fools, with Max Harris
January 1st is the Feast of Fools, notoriously a time of drunkenness and debauchery in the medieval church. But was it really? This…
Early Medieval Christian artefact uncovered at Hadrian’s Wall
They believe the artefact dates back to the 5th or 6th century, and is the only surviving object of its kind from this period in Britain and a rare example of early medieval Christian artwork.
New book tells the story of Celtic Christianity’s centre of learning
1,500 years ago, the Welsh town of Llanilltud Fawr was regarded as the cradle of Celtic Christianity. The story of its monastery has now been told in a new book published last month.
Medieval Monks: A Beginner’s Guide
Can you tell your Benedictines from your Franciscans and Dominicans? This week on The Medieval Podcast, Danièle gives a brief overview of the the backstory of some of the major monastic traditions, and how you can tell them apart.
The Five Senses of Sin
Have you seen anything that enticed you into sinning?
The Story of The Buddha, as told in Medieval Europe
A curious case of a medieval story which crosses religious boundaries is the life of Josaphat, a Christian saint whose origins appear to be not Christian at all. His life story is the life story of the Buddha.
Oh My Dog! St Guinefort and St Christopher
Dogs and holiness in the stories of St Guinefort and St Christopher.
The Demon’s Knight and the Unforgiving Bishop
The 12th-century writer Walter Map pushes the limits of this struggle between justice and forgiveness in the story of a knight who pledges himself to a demon, and the bishop who couldn’t forgive.
A Medieval Story of Redemption
From nun to noble to prostitute to beggar – the story of Beatrice.
In Search of the Promised Land: Saint Brendan’s Voyage
The story of an Irish monk and his fourteen companions who embarked on a dangerous journey in the fifth century.
Signs of the Apocalypse in 15th century Germany
Many cultures have beliefs about the end of the world. In 15th-century Germany the Apocalypse would be coming if you saw a castle hanging from a thread and a giant hatching from an egg.
A Five-Minute Guide to the Cathars
Here is a quick, five-minute guide to one of the most popular spiritual movements of the Middle Ages.
‘Full of Miracles From Childhood’: Miracles in the Liturgies and Lives of Irish Medieval Saints
The signs and miracles in the lives of Irish medieval saints including Patrick, Brigid, Columcille, Brendan and Columbanus.
Earning Your Badge: Mementos of Pilgrimage in the Middle Ages
The interesting thing about wearing your pilgrim’s badge on your hat is that you can’t see it yourself: it won’t be a visual reminder for you of your spiritual journey, but it will be a visual reminder for everyone else.
‘I Felt like Jumping for Joy’: Smile and Laughter in Medieval Imagery
With a starting point in ‘the gothic smiles’ of the sculptures of the great cathedrals in the thirteenth century, my aim is to draw attention to the importance of international ideals in local affairs.