by Dr Ruth Salter 836 years ago, on a day much like this (possibly), Henry II was crowned at Westminster Abbey. His predecessor (and uncle), Stephen, had died just under two months earlier, much of his reign having been taken up by ‘The Anarchy’ – a civil war of succession following the death of Henry [...]
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A Festive Treat: Indulgent Georgian Drinking (Chocolate Wine)
There are many indulgent foods that are synonymous with Christmas today, but two of the key ones must surely be chocolate and alcohol. True, the turkey and its trimmings are Christmas classics, but it’s those festive extras – the champagne at breakfast, and the mid-morning opening of the chocolate selection box… all of which will [...]
Medieval Christmas Celebrations
Feasting at King Arthur’s court. British Library MS. Royal 20 D.iv, f. 1r It was Christmas at Camelot, and there was the king with his leading lords and all his best soldiers, the famous company of the whole Round Table – celebrating in style: not a care in the world. Again and again strong men [...]
Restless Revenants: A Curious Case of Animated Corpses in Vita S. Moduenne Uirginis.
* forewarning: this is a long read - if you just want the ghost stories stop when you reach the map* ‘It would not be easy to believe that the corpses of the dead should sally (I know not by what agency) from their graves, and should wander about to the terror or destruction of [...]
Toads mean Trouble: Amphibious Assassins in Gerald of Wales’ The Journey through Wales
If you were asked to think of an unassuming British animal, I would hazard a guess that the first creature to come to mind would be something – small, brown, possibly squeaky – like a mouse or hedgehog. So unassuming is the toad that I bet you’d not have even given it a second thought [...]
CALL FOR PAPERS. The Maladies, Miracles and Medicine of the Middle Ages, II.
This year marks the fourth anniversary of my first conference 'The Maladies, Miracles and Medicine of the Middle Ages' at the Graudate Centre for Medieval Studies (GCMS). Organising a two-day, international conference was both challenging and a great expereince, and I had always hoped to make the conference the first of a series. Four years [...]
A History of Royal Food and Feasting
While I will am a medievalist at heart, I find the history of food fascinating. So, from time to time, there might be the occassional 'foodie' blog post uploaded too. I have always been curious about all aspects of history, especially when they relate to lived experiences. However, since March 2016, I have been involved [...]
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Programme: ‘The Maladies, Miracles and Medicine of the Middle Ages’, 14-15 March 2014
I am excited to annouce the programme for 'The Maladies, Miracles and Medicine of the Middle Ages' which will be taking place 14th-15th March 2014.
CFP: The Maladies, Miracles and Medicine of the Middle Ages, 15th March 2014.
Please find attached the CFP for 'The Maladies, Miracles and Medicine of the Middle Ages':
Ruth J. Salter 