Everything Medieval!'s Journal

swedishgoddess @ 10:05pm: Can someone help me identify this?
I picked up a copy of The Oxford Book of Medieval Latin Verse today from my library, and I'm really interested in the 100th piece in the book, which the author editor has titled "A Call to the Crusade", anonymously written circa 1350s. I did a google search on the first line of the poem in an attempt to find some scholarship on the piece, but came up with nothing.

Here's the first stanza.

Christiani nominis corruit insigne,
spurci pompa germinis et gentis indignae
regnat in Jerusalem--quis ferro vel igne
deleat propaginem sobolis malignae?

Anyone ever run across this poem before? Not too worried about finding a translation because the Latin's not too tough, but I would love to find ANY info on this piece.

[cross posting to latin and medievalstudies]

kitty_iii @ 5:01pm: Anglo-Saxon Elves
So, I wrote a research paper all about elves and how people at one time viewed elves as a part of life, both good and bad, but later the elves were demonized with the rise of Christianity.
My thesis is as follows:
Whereas the Anglo-Saxons believed that elves were non-human beings who interacted with humans in both a good and a bad way, the rise of Christianity turned elves into members of the out-group who were inherently harmful to humans.

To read more, go to the link below:
http://www.freewebs.com/kontrapunctus/seating.htm

smile_my_friend @ 5:21pm: Documenta Catholica Omnia
This sight has a ton of primary source material in the original language.  As far as I can tell the infrastructure of the sight is completely in Latin, as well as many of the sources.  It is a conservative Catholic web page, but should prove useful for research.  I am sorry if everyone has seen this already, but my professor found it online last night and we were all tickled pink so I wanted to share.

http://www.documentacatholicaomnia.eu/

ethelfleda @ 1:43pm: BBC 4 Medieval Season
Haven't seen this flagged up yet. BBC 4 are having a Medieval Season, the centrepiece of which is Rob Bartlett's series "Inside The Medieval Mind". UK people without digital can get it via the iPlayer.

Not in the UK? Well, you can at least enjoy the wonderful trailer they made for it!

callirhoe @ 7:11pm: Full wise is he that can himselven knowe.
Name: Callirhoë
Age: 20
Location: Iowa
Do you study the period in any way? Do you do historical reenactments or role-playing of this period?: I'm an English major at the University of Iowa studying medieval literature. Actually, right now I'm starting the process of grad school applications, so I can go on and study more medieval stuff. :-) Aside from that, I have a great interest in medieval needlework; I'm just learning embroidery, but I'm working out my own designs based on medieval tapestries and on illuminated manuscripts.
What do you like about the Middle Ages?: I'm in it for the lit. I'm fascinated with all sorts of medieval texts, especially Arthurian romance (favorites: Chrétien's Yvain, Gottfried's Tristan and Malory's Le Morte Darthur), the writings of medieval mystics (favorites: Julian of Norwich and Hildegard of Bingen), a whole lot of lyric poetry, especially of the Minnesang and Meistersang variety, and so on and so on. I'm in love with Middle English and Middle High German, and I'll use it given any chance.
If you could live anywhere during anytime in the Middle Ages, where and when would it be and why?: Definitely sometime in the high to late medieval period. The late fourteenth and early fifteenth has a lot going for it, including a lot of great literature and art and some nifty political stuff. Then again, the thirteenth century is pretty sweet too. I'm undecided, o wê.

So that's me. Some other medieval things in which I'm interested: manuscripts and illumination; the intersection of the religious and the secular in poetry; the medieval cult of Mary; narratology in medieval lit; gender and sexuality studies; linguistics and medieval etymologies; typology and allegory in MA texts and art. You'll probably get to read me blathering on about some of these things. Sorry.

Oh, and this! Since April is National Poetry Month, I've been posting a poem a day; I recently posted a strophe from the "Marienleich" (Song of Mary) of the thirteenth-century German poet Heinrich von Meissen der Frauenlob. I love this poem to pieces, and Barbara Newman has a great recent translation. It's just really fantastic. <3

evilninjafencer @ 7:26pm: med 2 total war
so does anyone else in the forum play this pc game?

i've been hooked on the series since shogun: total war and have literally just fallen for the rest of their line (with the exception of the Alexander the Great which was just a re-spitting out of Rome: Total War). can't wait to see empire: total war which just oozes with imperialistic goodness...but i must admit that i'm having a jolly good time with the second run-around of their medieval series.

i've also added the expansion and had my way with the new world as spain and became a juggernaut in the holy lands as the principality of antioch.

but the best must be playing england in the regular version. my norman/plantagenet/lancastrian/yorkist monarchs now hold sway over all the british isles, france (*lots of evil laughter*), parts of denmark, a few italian provinces, tunis in north africa, and making some headway into the iberian peninsula. my expansion into teutonic lands will be cut short since i'm deciding on rampaging down into the excommunicated holy roman empire to form a solid frontier for the eventual appearance of the mongols and the timurids after they're done thrashing the holy lands and asia minor.

sounds like fanciful nerdy computer geek talk...but where else can my staked battle lines of longbowmen, dismounted english knights and men-at-arms, with supporting cavalry take on three portuguese armies and come out smelling like roses (pun intended)?

anyway...just thought i'd share that aspect of modern medieval-ness.

huzzah to you all!

=)

winterlillies @ 6:36pm: 20 Medieval Icons
I've searched from some icons but couldn't find any to my liking so I made some. If this isn't the right place to post, please delete. Cross posted to medievalstudies

Teaser

Fake Cut: Da mihi castitatem et continentiam, sed noli modo

karmaku @ 6:28pm: Middle English.
I'm reading Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in a library, right now.

Well, I just had to fight a burst of giggles when I read:

"with mony luflych lorde" 

(SGGK, v. 38)

A pointless entry about an absurd reaction, but I thought you might understand my appreciation of Middle English as so very cute.

gwinna @ 11:11am: Pearls & Trade
Does anyone have any information on when and where Pearls were available in Europe before and during the medieval ages? I have a lot of tidbits of information, but I'm really looking for a list (Pearls were available to Germany during x years, England xyears, Vikings Xyears, etc) or a trade route map with dates which includes Pearls specifically.

I make jewelry and am beginning to make historically accurate jewelry, and the subject of beading in history is not an easy one to research! I need leads on where to find more information. A trade route map of bead types would also be appreciated and helpful.

Thanks in Advance! :)

buboniclou @ 10:58am: The *Real* Lyrics to the Carmina Burana
I remember translating them in my medieval Latin class...this is a new one:
http://carmina.ytmnd.com/

a_chromatic_sea @ 10:39pm: New!
Name: Amy
Age: 20 (on the 6th!)
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado; History Major at Colorado State University
Do you study the period in any way? Do you do historical reenactments or role-playing of this period?: I'm planning on becoming a medievalist eventually, if only because the period is so absolutely fascinating to me. I don't do any "historically accurate" reenactments, exactly... but I've worked at the Colorado Renaissance Festival for the last five years.
What do you like about the Middle Ages?: What I like most is that it is something of a transition period... it's when we start to see the world we know now (specifically in Europe) emerge.
If you could live anywhere during anytime in the Middle Ages, where and when would it be and why?: Honestly, I have no idea. That's a tough question...


Anyway, I'm sure that I'll be posting more exciting things later on, but for now it's just nice to read through some of this stuff in between my massive amounts of homework and reading. >.< I'm so glad I found this community!

smilingplatypus @ 3:17pm: Master's programs in Canada
Clueless student here!  I have a question and would really appreciate any information/opinions/etc.

I'm planning on doing my Master's degree in medieval history or medieval studies here in Canada.  I've applied to the University of Toronto's Centre for Medieval Studies and to Dalhousie University's Department of History.  I've been accepted into both (yay!), but I know they're very different programs -- I would end up in very different research areas -- and I'd like to know if anyone here has any experience with them.

It's a tough decision for me because I *think* I know where I want to go, but the other school is offering me a huge amount of money.  So I have to consider it really carefully.    

All I know about the programs is what they say on their websites, so if anyone can give me some insight into what they are really like, I would be extremely grateful.  Really, anything is good.

Thanks!

bochierd @ 4:56pm: Calls for Papers
From ANSAX:

Call for Papers

The Heroic Age accepts papers on any topic within the geographical
(Northwestern Europe) and temporal (300-1200) boundaries of the
journal at any time. Submissions should be sent to Larry J. Swain,
haediting@yahoo.com

Below are plans for special, themed sections in upcoming issues.
The call for Issue 12 has been extended.

The Heroic Age Issue 12: Early
Medieval Languages and Linguistics
(Spring 2008)

The Heroic Age invites submissions on any aspect of Late Antique or
Early Medieval languages and linguistics. Topics may include (but
are not limited to): place name studies; vocabulary borrowed from
different languages (such as William Sayers exploration of the
borrowing of nautical vocabulary from Norse in Issue 8 of The
Heroic Age); growth of vernacular languages; the influence of Latin
on vernacular; vernacular influence on Latin; runes; ogam; editions
or translations of little known texts or inscriptions; the use or
mis-use of Greek or Hebrew.

Submissions will be received at any time, no later than February 10,
2007. Submissions should be sent to Larry Swain, haediting@yahoo.com

The Heroic Age Issue 13: Early
Medieval Manuscripts: Use and Abuse
(July 2008)

The Heroic Age invites submissions exploring the use or abuse of
Late Antique and Early Medieval manuscripts. Studies of individual
manuscripts, or the influence of disparate manuscripts on a
particular text, the peculiar travels of a manuscript(s), and other
studies are encouraged and welcome.

Submissions will be received at any time, no later than April 1,
2008. Submissions should be sent to Larry Swain, haediting@yahoo.com

The Heroic Age, Issue 14: Law and
Legal Culture in the Early Middle
Ages

Guest Editor: Andrew Rabin, University of Louisville

The Heroic Age invites submissions for a special issue on law and
legal culture in the early middle ages. We construe the subject of
this issue broadly, and we are eager to receive submissions
representing a variety of perspectives, methodologies, national or
ethnic cultures, and disciplines. Possible topics include (but are
not limited to): royal legislation, legal manuscripts, law in/and
literature, legal procedure, charters and diplomatics, writs and
wills, dispute resolution, theories of law and justice, canon law,
editing medieval law, law and philosophy, perceptions of medieval law
in later periods, law in/and art, international law, and intersections
between medieval Asian and European legal traditions. We welcome
traditional philological and historicist approaches, as well as those
informed by modern critical theory.

Prospective contributors should feel free to contact Andrew Rabin
(andrew.rabin@louisville.edu) if they have any questions.

Articles should be 7000 words including bibliography and endnotes, and
conform to The Heroic Age's in-house style. Instructions may be found
at http://www.heroicage.org/authors.html. All submissions will be
reviewed by two readers according to a double-blind policy. All
submissions should be sent to haediting@yahoo.com. The deadline for
submission is August 1st, 2008.

This issue will also include a second special section on Early
Medieval Studies and Modern Theory, title to yet be determined.
The section is being edited and compiled currently by Eileen Joy
and will include papers from members of the BABEL project.


Future Plans: Issue 15: Ten Year Anniversary Issue: The World of
Late Antique Britain

For our ten year anniversary The Heroic Age is revisiting
its first issue in a way. Our first issue dealt with the Matter of
Arthur. Issue 15 will have three sections: One section is
historical and would examine the world of Late Antique Britain,
connections with the rest of the continent in Late Antiquity, and
new views of the Adventus Saxonum. The second section will examine
Arthur and Arthurian literature. The third section will include
studies of "under studied" early medieval authors stressing the
early period and stressing Irish and British authors.


The Heroic Age is an on-line, peer-reviewed academic journal hosted by
the Memorial University of Newfoundland. It focuses on Northwestern
Europe during the early medieval period (from the late 4th through
12th centuries). We seek to foster dialogue between all scholars of
this period across ethnic and disciplinary boundaries, including-but
not limited to-history, archeology, and literature pertaining to the
period.

lorion @ 4:26pm: Hello!
If u like middle ages as i like castles of that period of time...i'd like to invite to my community all_castles.

In this community ppl post there photos from different countires where they seen castles.

u r welcome

jaysus @ 8:22pm: saints
Do you know where I can find a book about all of the Catholic saints and how they became saints? Thanks.

jufin @ 8:55pm: Sette Chiese

helionaut @ 9:27pm: M.A. Programs?
Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone here had a good list or place to find a list of the major universities in the world offering M.A. programs in Medieval Studies or Medieval Art History. English and German speaking countries are preferred. Thanks!

bekarr @ 7:45am: Searching texts of Short Medieval Comedy Drama on English
Dear friends!

Firs of all, sorry for my scrappy English…

Can You, please, help me to find some information?
I’m the leader of Open-Air Medieval Theatre “DiGrease’s Buffoon Theatre”, and this year we beginning to create an English repertoire (two years we are working on Russian and Polish languages).

So now I’m searching for the texts of Short Medieval Comedy Drama on English.
It may be:
- French (or any country) Farces;
- Moralite;
- Interludies;
- One-Act comedy plays;
- Scenarios of Mimic plays;
- Any information about the repertoire of Medieval Wandering Theatres (acrobatics, juggling, tricks, plays, balancing acts, mimes, etc…)

Thank You very much in advance!
With Best Regards,
Aliaksej "Bekar" Burnosenka,
"DiGrease's Buffoon Theatre"
phone: +37529 5076263
email: fireshow@tut.by
Minsk,Belarus

longlongwaytogo @ 12:45pm: Food In Fiction
I hope I'm allowed to post this, if not, I apologise, and you are obviously free to delete it.
I run a  comm, food_in_fiction which is for discussing all  aspects of food in fiction. If you're writing it, or reading/watching it, and it can be questions, examples, rants, snark, etc. And by 'all aspects of food' I mean recipes, flavours, table manners, servants, kitchens, poison, farming, anything at all. It just has to be connected to fiction in some way  or another, so, say you're writing a story and need to mention it, or you've seen a bad example/good example in something you've read or watched, or you are curious about something based on fiction you've read recently. Medieval food will definitely be covered, because I for one get annoyed when I see/read medieval characters eating things which definitely were not around. It also just interests me. But I'm going to need help from people who are a bit better at food history than I am, which is why i thought/was hoping some of you might be interested in  the comm.

kingnat @ 1:07am: Name: Nathanael Rouillard
Age: Late twenties
Location: England
Do you study the period in any way? Do you do historical re enactments or role-playing of this period?: I play role play games and LARP, and sometimes those games take place in the Middle Ages (or a fantasised version of such). I don't do historical re-enactment, but I do study the combat system written down, developed, and proscribed by Fiore Dei Liberi.
What do you like about the Middle Ages?: It's not a particular love of the Middle Ages above any other age, but there was so much going on, the world was changing rapidly (considering how slowly information and technology travelled) an the era was rife with conflict that has been poeticised to the extent that it has become fascinating as an exercise in comparing the facts and the fiction in itself.
If you could live anywhere during any time in the Middle Ages, where and when would it be and why?: I would probably chose to live in the mid to late 14th C; it was the era of Fiore Dei Liberi, and I'd be fascinated in seeing the skills put to every day use.

As a point of interest; if I was researching the conflicts between the mariner republics (and anyone else during that period for that matter) in the later half of the 14th and early 15th C, what comprehensive resources would people recommend if any? I'm looking primarily at the military side of things, but I also want a lot of general information on society and events of the period. It has become somethingt of a personal project of mine, and unfortunately I'm finding information somewhat difficult to come by. I'm not looking for handouts; just the right pointers, because the discovery is half the journey! ;)

lsur @ 12:49pm: Radio 3's Early Music Show featured songs from an Icelandic 17th century manuscript. Some were from that time, others much earlier - 12th century. Quite weird and wonderful.

Listen again here (follow the 'BBC Radio 3 Radio Player' link to Early Music Show.

musicdish @ 8:02pm: Beowulf Epic Adventure Comes To Life!
Once again, the oldest tale in the English language is told in the newly released CD "Beowulf". This time in a style familiar to the modern ear, and highly entertaining. The musical tale is based on the book “Beowulf The Warrior”, (Bethlehem Books) by the English author, and master wordsmith Ian Serraillier, with music by Sam Sorensen.

In this memorable adventure, Beowulf rescues King Hrothgar and the Danes from the ravages of monstrous horrors in a manner of compelling grandeur. The listener becomes acquainted with Beowulf's strength, heroism and noble heart, as Serrallier reweaves the original tale into modern narrative verse, brandishing all the energy and vividness of the original. From over the grey Baltic, the wintry “whale-road”, to the dark and dripping caves of the misty moor, Sorensen's powerful narration and inspired original score for orchestra and choir enhance the story each step of the way.

Here is a wonderful means to visit a treasure from 1200 years ago, and become enthralled. It is a work of art in itself, and a doorway for young and old to further experiences with the epic.

Mark Gordon, host of the KXLU - Los Angeles, radio program, Stage and Screen, commented on his show recently, "It's clear Serralier has one of the most remarkable versions of the story Beowulf. Complex in nature, yet easy to understand, it engages the listener from start to finish. The audio quality on this recording is remarkable. Sorensen's large orchestral score composed of vivid instrumental color and memorable melodies, reminds one at times of Shostakovich or perhaps in places Bartok, or Prokofiev. His narration is world class, similar to that of a Spartan King, as he tells the ancient tale of a monster, in a way that comes from a place of a noble spirit, rather than that of sheer horror. It is certainly a fun and masterful work . . .”

The Times (London) in a literary supplement wrote: "To venture on the story of Beowulf in verse, whether for children or adults, is a deed with its own kind of heroism . . . There must be a hundred ways of failing: Mr. Serralier has hit on one of the ways to succeed.”

chrysologus400 @ 6:00pm: The Flowing Light of the Godhead
I recently posted this to some other religious communities and someone suggested that it might be of interest to people here as well since it is about a twelfth-century mystic.

This is a four-page essay about sexual mysticism in a twelfth-century work called The Flowing Light of the Godhead. In it I describe the type of sexual imagery the author (a nun) uses to explain the soul's relationship to God, relying on some poetic quotations. I support her metaphor by giving some similar examples from Scripture. I conclude with two difficulties people might encounter today who wanted to talk about God through sexual imagery. I thought that this might be of interest to someone.

Comments are love.

( SEXUAL MYSTICISM IN THE FLOWING LIGHT OF THE GODHEAD )

x-posted from christianity, catholicism, theologia, and my personal LJ

notfriedkasei @ 10:33am: Asst Prof Position in History and Religion
(If this is inappropriate, feel free to delete - I'm just trying to spread the word!)

Green Mountain College, an innovative liberal arts college with an environmental focus in Vermont’s beautiful Lake District, invites applications for a new assistant professorship starting in August 2008 in Middle Eastern/European History and Religious Studies in the comparative social and cultural history of the Middle East and/or medieval Europe, preferably with expertise in world history and the history and philosophy of Islam and/or other forms of monotheism. The successful candidate will contribute to the History major, Religious Studies minor, and the interdisciplinary Environmental Liberal Arts General Education Program. Qualifications include demonstrated teaching experience at the college level, interest in cross-disciplinary teaching, potential for or demonstrated scholarship in the area of specialization, and a Ph.D. in History, Religious Studies, or related area.



( detailed description under the cut )

Green Mountain College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
Green Mountain College is a member of the Eco-League consortium of environmentally-themed colleges: http://www.ecoleague.org.
Please see our website at http://www.greenmtn.edu