Imbas: The National University of Ireland, Galway, Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Medieval Conference, November 13-15th 2009.
We would like to invite all postgraduate students of medieval studies to Imbas, an interdisciplinary medievalists’ conference being held in the Moore Institute at NUI Galway from November 13-15th 2009. This conference welcomes delegates at all stages of their research from all areas of medieval studies including language, history literature, art, archaeology and philosophy. The theme for 2009 is Alliances. Delegates are encouraged to view the theme as a broad suggestion rather than in any way restrictive.
Papers might deal with but are not limited to such topics as:
Religious, political and military alliances
Relationships between cultural institutions
Marriage
Commerce and economics
Patronage
Rebellion and heresy
Marginality
A selection of papers will be published in our new established peer-reviewed journal, Imbas: The Journal of the National University of Ireland, Galway Postgraduate Medieval Studies Conference. This journal will be made available via our website and open-access journal databases. All panels will be recorded and made available as podcasts. The committee are also delighted to offer a number of travel bursaries to delegates on a competitive basis. Further information is available on our website http://medieval.starlight.ie/cms/view/13/ and on the conference blog, http://imbasnuig.blogspot.com/.
Abstracts of 250 words for a twenty-minute paper (with ten minutes allowed for questions) should be submitted by October 9th 2009. Abstracts can be submitted to imbasnuig@gmail.com or forwarded to Imbas/Grace Windsor, Dept. of English, National University of Ireland, Galway, College Rd, Galway.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
First video update from the International Congress on Medieval Studies
This is our first video report from Western Michigan University about the International Congress on Medieval Studies. The congress officially starts tomorrow, and we hope to bring you daily updates.
Saturday, May 02, 2009
44th International Congress on Medieval Studies begins Thursday
More than 3,000 scholars and others interested in the Middle Ages from around the world will gather in Kalamazoo for Western Michigan University's 44th International Congress on Medieval Studies Thursday through Sunday, May 7-10.
Sponsored by the University's Medieval Institute, the congress will feature over 600 sessions of scholarly papers, panel discussions, roundtables, workshops, and performances. The exhibits hall, annually a crowd and community favorite, features the displays of over 70 book publishers, used book dealers, and purveyors of medieval sundries.
"Attendees will find more than the usual cornucopia of intellectual delights, social possibilities, and shopping temptations," says Dr. James Murray, director of the Medieval Institute. "It's a veritable spring harvest of delights."
Congress sessions address all aspects of the period and the ways the Middle Ages are reflected in life today, including art and science, politics and economics, chivalry and royalty, warfare and peace, spirituality and daily life, church and state, diplomacy and travel. To examine the period, scholars use material remains and all sorts of written records, from laundry lists to epic poetry.
Sessions
This year, as always, academic sessions are planned around the impact and meaning of such classic medieval literature as "Canterbury Tales," "Beowulf" and the tales of King Arthur. Other sessions focus on how medievalism has influenced today's popular culture, as evidenced by J.K. Rowling's "Harry Potter" series, modern films like "A Knight's Tale" and "Nottingham." Still other sessions are focused on how issues of modern importance-from urban planning and judicial development to nutrition and domestic violence-were reflected in the writings, records and public life of medieval times.
This year marks the 900th anniversary of the death of King Alfonso VI of Leon and Castile, the self-proclaimed "emperor of all Spain." The occasion will be marked by a series of sessions devoted to the culture of the Iberian peninsula in his time, as well as to his legacy.
Special events
Special plenary lectures on Friday and Saturday morning address "Fictions of Conduct in Medieval France" and "Michael of Rhodes: A Venetian Seafarer and His Book." Evening events include screenings of films on medieval themes, a display of reproduction textile and dress items, and a video gaming workshop.
Also in connection with the congress, Cincinnati-based Catacoustic Consort will present a concert at 8 p.m. Friday, May 8, in the First Baptist Church, which is located at 315 W. Michigan Avenue in downtown Kalamazoo.
"Catacoustic's gifted and energetic music director, Annalisa Pappano, has chosen a program of music from the court of Emperor Maximilian I of Habsburg," says Murray. "Featuring a viol consort and a tenor vocalist, the concert will recreate the sound of a German musical evening of the early sixteenth century."
In addition to the daily academic sessions, scholars from around the world use the congress as an opportunity to convene annual meetings of many of the world's premier medieval studies organizations. Each day of the congress includes membership meeting of groups such as the Early Book Society, the Society for the Study of Popular Culture and the Middle Ages and De Re Militari: The Society for Medieval Military History.
Medievalists.net at the Congress
The editors of Medievalists.net will also be attending the congress, where we will be conducting video interviews with congress participants, and doing daily video blogs reporting on events in Kalamazoo.
Friday, May 01, 2009
30th Annual Medieval Forum held at Plymouth State University
The campus of Plymouth State University hosted its 30th annual medieval forum on April 24th and 25th. "Dreams, Imagination, and Fantasy" is the theme for the this year's event which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
The forum is a multidisciplinary exploration of the Medieval and Renaissance period with academic analyses of the period and demonstrations of music, games, and other activities. The forum was an event were local Medieval scholars could discuss research and attend academic panels. Also, some student organizations partook in the different ceremonies held throughout the weekend.
The forum's opening was marked with a procession from Rounds Hall to the Hartman Union Building, led by the members of the PSU Medieval Society wearing medieval garb and carrying banners to the Fireplace Lounge for the opening addresses.
PSU Professor Emeritus Robin Bowers read a passage from Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," which spoke of springtime pilgrimages.
The passage was followed by a reading of a welcome poem written by Poet Laureate Phil O'Mara. O'Mara was unable to attend and different parts of the poem, written in the vein of Chaucer about scholars gathering for the forum, were read by different people.
"Having an event like this is part of what a university does," said PSU President Sara Jayne Steen, adding that the forum was "a grand dream" of interdisciplinary scholarship.
"It was not a fantasy because people who cared turned it into a reality," she said.
Steen said she has taught Medieval and Renaissance studies and some of the professors allowed her to sit in on and teach a few Medieval Studies-related classes at PSU. She also spoke of the work of keynote speaker Carole Levin.
"We're talking about education in its largest and truest sense," Steen said.
Sessions including discussions and the reading of academic papers took place at the forum as well as a bladesmithing demonstration by Tyler Borror and the Ensemble Chaconne with Pamela Dellal performing "Measure for Measure: The Music of Shakespeare's Plays."
The PSU Medieval Society put on a human chess match on the lawn in front of the Hartman Union Building and will hold a chainmail workshop and longbow demonstration today. Society members also sold chainmail jewelry and accessories as well as other items made by members.
The Medieval and Renaissance Forum is a major event for members of the Medieval Society. Members will provide general assistance throughout the weekend.
On the 30th anniversary of the forum, members spoke of the importance of keeping the tradition going. The first Medieval Forum was held in 1980 and has continued every year since. About 100 people attended the welcoming ceremony on Friday. Most were from the New England region, but some gathered from as far away as Colorado to attend the forum.
After the welcoming ceremony, participants were free to attend the different workshops held through out the day. Most of the topics revolved around the literature and social conditions of the day.
While the forum was academic in nature, PSU's Medieval Society helped to make the forum more animated.
"We completely decorated Rounds," Dana Nevins, senior Criminal Justice major and Medieval Society member said. The Medieval Society also held events relevant to Medieval pastimes and sponsored a live chess match on the Alumni Green on Friday.
The Medieval presentations continued through Saturday evening. The weekend culminated into a feast on Saturday night. "This is last event of the two day event," Matt Rolph, Associate Director to the Medieval and Renaissance Forum said.
About 150 people attended the final dinner. Those in attendance were encouraged to dress in medieval attire. The dinner was held in Heritage Commons, which was a change from past years.
The forum is a multidisciplinary exploration of the Medieval and Renaissance period with academic analyses of the period and demonstrations of music, games, and other activities. The forum was an event were local Medieval scholars could discuss research and attend academic panels. Also, some student organizations partook in the different ceremonies held throughout the weekend.
The forum's opening was marked with a procession from Rounds Hall to the Hartman Union Building, led by the members of the PSU Medieval Society wearing medieval garb and carrying banners to the Fireplace Lounge for the opening addresses.
PSU Professor Emeritus Robin Bowers read a passage from Geoffrey Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," which spoke of springtime pilgrimages.
The passage was followed by a reading of a welcome poem written by Poet Laureate Phil O'Mara. O'Mara was unable to attend and different parts of the poem, written in the vein of Chaucer about scholars gathering for the forum, were read by different people.
"Having an event like this is part of what a university does," said PSU President Sara Jayne Steen, adding that the forum was "a grand dream" of interdisciplinary scholarship.
"It was not a fantasy because people who cared turned it into a reality," she said.
Steen said she has taught Medieval and Renaissance studies and some of the professors allowed her to sit in on and teach a few Medieval Studies-related classes at PSU. She also spoke of the work of keynote speaker Carole Levin.
"We're talking about education in its largest and truest sense," Steen said.
Sessions including discussions and the reading of academic papers took place at the forum as well as a bladesmithing demonstration by Tyler Borror and the Ensemble Chaconne with Pamela Dellal performing "Measure for Measure: The Music of Shakespeare's Plays."
The PSU Medieval Society put on a human chess match on the lawn in front of the Hartman Union Building and will hold a chainmail workshop and longbow demonstration today. Society members also sold chainmail jewelry and accessories as well as other items made by members.
The Medieval and Renaissance Forum is a major event for members of the Medieval Society. Members will provide general assistance throughout the weekend.
On the 30th anniversary of the forum, members spoke of the importance of keeping the tradition going. The first Medieval Forum was held in 1980 and has continued every year since. About 100 people attended the welcoming ceremony on Friday. Most were from the New England region, but some gathered from as far away as Colorado to attend the forum.
After the welcoming ceremony, participants were free to attend the different workshops held through out the day. Most of the topics revolved around the literature and social conditions of the day.
While the forum was academic in nature, PSU's Medieval Society helped to make the forum more animated.
"We completely decorated Rounds," Dana Nevins, senior Criminal Justice major and Medieval Society member said. The Medieval Society also held events relevant to Medieval pastimes and sponsored a live chess match on the Alumni Green on Friday.
The Medieval presentations continued through Saturday evening. The weekend culminated into a feast on Saturday night. "This is last event of the two day event," Matt Rolph, Associate Director to the Medieval and Renaissance Forum said.
About 150 people attended the final dinner. Those in attendance were encouraged to dress in medieval attire. The dinner was held in Heritage Commons, which was a change from past years.
Doune Castle in Scotland
Monty Python has made a permanent return to Doune Castle. Terry Jones, who co-directed comedy classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, is the voice of the new audio guide introduced this week.
Much of the movie was filmed at Doune and it has been a place of pilgrimage for fans ever since, with HS having hosted a series of Python-themed events there in the past.
Mr Jones, who has presented a number of documentaries on subjects including Roman and Medieval life, said he was delighted to be part of the project. “I have very fond memories of Doune Castle, it’s a fascinating place and the setting is absolutely spectacular. It’s lovely to be involved with the castle again and to have the chance to introduce visitors to its history. The audio guide is designed to give people a real sense of the castle’s social history – what it was actually like to live there in the Middle Ages,” he said.
Jennifer Webster, HS interpretation officer, said: “We were really delighted when Terry Jones agreed to take part. His links to the castle through Monty Python and the Holy Grail and all the work he has done to popularise history on TV made him absolutely ideal. The guide brings out the Medieval social and architectural history of Doune Castle. It looks at the people who were behind its construction, and what life would have been like there. We are really pleased with the results and hope that visitors will enjoy it for many years to come.”
The audio guide is included in the standard ticket price for the castle. Doune Castle is 10 miles north west of Stirling off the A84. Tickets are £4.20 for adults, £3.20 concessions and £2.10 for children. Telephone 01786 841742.
The castle was built in the 14th century for Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany, who ruled all of Scotland while King James I was held captive in England. After Robert’s death the castle, and the regency of Scotland, passed to his son Duke Murdoch.
In 1424 the king returned. Not long after Murdoch was arrested and executed along with his sons – James I believed the duke and his father had done too little to secure his release. Doune Castle was confiscated by the Crown and was used as a royal hunting lodge.
Remains of ancient boat found in Scotland
Marine archaeologists find ancient boat remains off the west coast of Scotland
29 April 2009
Asian News International
Marine archaeologists have said that the discovery of ancient boat remains off the west coast of Scotland may point to the site of a boatbuilder's yard dating back many centuries. "There have been some reported finds of materials associated with terrestrial settlement. It might be a boatbuilding site from the early period," Philip Robertson, a marine archaeology expert at Historic Scotland, told The Scotsman.
The site may belong to the time when the Lords of the Isles used sea travel to rule a huge part of Scotland's western seaboard.
He did not disclose the exact site, but said: "It's on the west coast of Scotland and the survey is associated with medieval boatbuilding and boat use, in particular areas associated with the Lords of the Isles.
"It's a fairly shallow area, so it will be a snorkelling project. We we think we are looking at the 10th, 11th, 12th century. Some local people found some boat remains, and there may be other bits of boat and other things."
29 April 2009
Asian News International
Marine archaeologists have said that the discovery of ancient boat remains off the west coast of Scotland may point to the site of a boatbuilder's yard dating back many centuries. "There have been some reported finds of materials associated with terrestrial settlement. It might be a boatbuilding site from the early period," Philip Robertson, a marine archaeology expert at Historic Scotland, told The Scotsman.
The site may belong to the time when the Lords of the Isles used sea travel to rule a huge part of Scotland's western seaboard.
He did not disclose the exact site, but said: "It's on the west coast of Scotland and the survey is associated with medieval boatbuilding and boat use, in particular areas associated with the Lords of the Isles.
"It's a fairly shallow area, so it will be a snorkelling project. We we think we are looking at the 10th, 11th, 12th century. Some local people found some boat remains, and there may be other bits of boat and other things."
Medieval buildings found beneath Cathedral Square in Peterborough
Ancient medieval buildings found beneath Cathedral Square in Britain
29 April 2009
Asian News International
Archaeologists excavating beneath Cathedral Square in Peterborough, UK, have found the remains of ancient medieval buildings. Up to six archaeologists a day have been working on the site for several weeks in preparation for the main square improvement works, which are being delivered by Opportunity Peterborough and Peterborough City Council. One of the buildings, which probably stood until the 17th Century, may be part of the old Butter Cross - a building in the market place where butter, eggs and meat were sold.
According to city archaeologist Ben Robinson, "The results so far are outstanding. We expected to find archaeological remains in Cathedral Square, but the range and quality of finds here is superb. The archaeological team is tracing the previously unrecorded history of Peterborough's ancient market place - literally peeling back the centuries to expose the surfaces and structures that would have been familiar to medieval citizens."
Beneath the modern pavement is a series of pitched limestone surfaces that were the market place, streets and gutters of earlier times. Pieces of pottery, leather off-cuts, building materials, part of a bronze cauldron and animal remains dating back hundreds of years have also been uncovered.
"It's not often we get a chance to dig holes in the middle of town. Our finds are significant in the development of Peterborough because there have been very few excavations in the historic core. We are carefully excavating and recording the remains that will be affected by the development," said senior project officer Adam Yates.
Construction work in the Cathedral Square area is still aiming to be complete by Christmas while work to create the new square will continue until Easter 2010. According to Steve Bowyer, director of growth at Opportunity Peterborough, "The project to improve Cathedral Square is a crucial investment for revitalising the city centre and taking it forward to a brighter future. The archaeology we have found has provided a great insight into the city's past that we would not have had without this project. Wherever possible we will adjust designs to ensure that the archaeology is protected as we deliver the scheme."
29 April 2009
Asian News International
Archaeologists excavating beneath Cathedral Square in Peterborough, UK, have found the remains of ancient medieval buildings. Up to six archaeologists a day have been working on the site for several weeks in preparation for the main square improvement works, which are being delivered by Opportunity Peterborough and Peterborough City Council. One of the buildings, which probably stood until the 17th Century, may be part of the old Butter Cross - a building in the market place where butter, eggs and meat were sold.
According to city archaeologist Ben Robinson, "The results so far are outstanding. We expected to find archaeological remains in Cathedral Square, but the range and quality of finds here is superb. The archaeological team is tracing the previously unrecorded history of Peterborough's ancient market place - literally peeling back the centuries to expose the surfaces and structures that would have been familiar to medieval citizens."
Beneath the modern pavement is a series of pitched limestone surfaces that were the market place, streets and gutters of earlier times. Pieces of pottery, leather off-cuts, building materials, part of a bronze cauldron and animal remains dating back hundreds of years have also been uncovered.
"It's not often we get a chance to dig holes in the middle of town. Our finds are significant in the development of Peterborough because there have been very few excavations in the historic core. We are carefully excavating and recording the remains that will be affected by the development," said senior project officer Adam Yates.
Construction work in the Cathedral Square area is still aiming to be complete by Christmas while work to create the new square will continue until Easter 2010. According to Steve Bowyer, director of growth at Opportunity Peterborough, "The project to improve Cathedral Square is a crucial investment for revitalising the city centre and taking it forward to a brighter future. The archaeology we have found has provided a great insight into the city's past that we would not have had without this project. Wherever possible we will adjust designs to ensure that the archaeology is protected as we deliver the scheme."
Medieval Manuscript Videos
Dr. Christopher de Hamel of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, discusses the medieval view of religion, natural history and the known animal kingdom. This manuscript was an exhibit at the "Medieval Imagination Exhibition" at the State Library of Victoria in 2008, which featured illuminated manuscripts from Cambridge in the UK, as well as from Australia and New Zealand .
Dr. Stella Panayotova, Keeper of Manuscripts and Printed Books at the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, discusses the artwork in a 15th century Dutch family Bible. This bible was an exhibit at the "Medieval Imagination Exhibition" at the State Library of Victoria in 2008, which featured illuminated manuscripts from Cambridge in the UK, as well as from Australia and New Zealand.
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