The Heroic World of the Vikings Depicted in their Skaldic Verses
Since 2002, the Skaldic project has published a large part of the Skaldic Verses from the Viking world. Although not complete, it does offer us a preview of what was the main outline of the heroic world of the Vikings as depicted here
Sigfred and Godfred (804 – 810) – Ferocious Vikings from the North
In the Frankish Annals, we read about Saxon and Slavic rebellions to the north involving several Danish kings. Who were they? Also, how should we characterise their way of life?
The Elite Residence of an Early Danish King at Erritsø
Some years ago archaeologists discovered an elite residence in 8th century Jutland. New excavations recently uncovered yet another magnificent hall. Might this be Godfred’s and his ancestor’s?
Treasure of Viking Coins Discovered at Ribe
Recently, a lucky punch from a detectorist resulted in the find of a very rare Viking coin. Soon, the find had multiplied to 252 coins, shedding new light on the rule of power in early Viking Denmark c. 800
News
Legendary Viking Hall Reconstructed at Lejre
12/09/2019In 2009 the remains of the largest Viking Hall in Denmark was excavated at Lejre. Dated to the 8th century, it is currently being reconstructed at Land of Legends Read more
New Viking Ship at Gjellestad is Being Excavated
29/08/2019For the first time in more than a hundred years, archaeologists are uncovering what is definitely a buried Viking ship. Read more
Nyborg Castle in Grave Danger
24/07/2019An intrusive new construction threatens to completely dominate the preserved wing of Nyborg Castle, home to the first Danish Parliament. Should we let architects loose on this precious medieval heritage, ask opponents? Read more
Newly found Viking Boat Graves in Uppsala
15/07/2019Two rare Viking boat burials are currently being excavated in Uppsala, the old political and religious centre in Sweden from c. 550 – 1000 Read more
Gender, Heritage and Medieval Castles
13/07/2019Castles are for boys. Overwhelmingly the tourism industry makes these sites available as playgrounds for the gendered stereotypes of wannabe knights and admiring and blushing damsels. How should we remedy this state of affairs? Read more
UNESCO World Heritage 2019: Water Management System of Augsburg
12/07/2019Augsburg boasts of one of the first water management systems installed since Roman Antiquity. Built int he 13th century, it is now listed as World Heritage Read more
UNESCO World Heritage 2019 – Churches of the Pskov School of Architecture
12/07/2019Pskov is located 20 km from the border of Estonia. Likely, the listing of the churches and monasteries in the ancient principality of Pskov reflects the geo-political interests of Putin’s Russia Read more
UNESCO World Heritage 2019: Mining landscape and Mining towns at Erzgebirge/ Krušnohoří
11/07/2019Erzgebirge/ Krušnohoří is a distinct Mining landscape in the border region between Germany and Czechia Read more
New Books
Superior Women: Medieval Female Authority in Poitiers’ Abbey of Sainte-Croix
12/07/2019Sainte-Croix was established by Radegund in the 6th century. For nearly a thousand years, the Abbey was home to superior women Read more
Byzantine Empire c. 500 – 1492
12/07/2019This book is an invaluable introduction to the history of the Byzantine Empire c. 500 – 1492 Read more
Horizontal Learning in the High Middle Ages
12/07/2019Medieval learning was not just a matter of masters teaching disciples. It was also a matter of learned communities engaging in Peer-to-Peer Knowledge Transfer Read more
The Routledge History of Monarchy
12/07/2019The Routledge History of Monarchy draws together current research across the field of royal studies, providing a rich understanding of the history of monarchy from a variety of geographical, cultural and temporal contexts. The Routledge History of Monarchy by Elena Woodacre, Lucinda H.S. Dean, Chris Jones, Zita Rohr and Russell… Read more
New Research
Tight Tunics and Ridiculous Hoods – Fashion in 1340
14/07/2019Suddenly, in the 1340s young Italian men began to wear cropped tunics, drooping hoods, and large purses hanging from elaborate metallic belts. This new silhouette was both mysterious and daring. Read more
Cardinal Roselli and his Missal – A Wonder in Gold and Vibrant Colours
25/03/2019The Missal of Roselli – Messale Roselli – was produced for Cardinal Nicolas Rosell in Avignon c. 1350. Now, in Torino, it represents one of the beautiful illuminated missals from the 14th century. Read more
Early Medieval London c. 770 – 950
03/03/2019Londinium, Lundenwic, Lundenburh, London. Different names for the same place. At least, such was the belief until the late 20the century, when archaeologists could report that the history of the settlement was more complex. Read more
Humming Bees and Flowery Meadows of Yesteryear
26/02/2019Endless seals imprinted on wax! Countless pieces of parchment, neatly stacked. We tend to value these leftovers from the Middle Ages for their content. Matthew Collins sees aDNA. Read more
New Exhibitions
Fragments of Byzantine Fashion
11/09/2019How did the Byzantines dress? In a spectacular exhibition in Washington, visitors are invited to explore a selection of the garments preserved by Dumbarton Oaks. Read more
Kings and Scribes: The Birth of a Nation
18/05/2019May 2019, a long-awaited exhibition at Winchester Cathedral will tell the story of the birth of the English Nation. Read more
Emma – Queen of Ethelred the Unready and Cnut the Great on View?
17/05/20191300 bones have been picked to crate order out of chaos in the famous bone caskets in Winchester Cathedral. Next week, one of the results – the skeleton of Emma – will be revealed. Read more
Balthazar, the Black King, Visits The Getty Center Next Winter
07/03/2019Exploring prejudice and persecution in the Medieval World, the Getty Center last year mounted an exhibition on Outcasts. Late autumn 2019, this initiative will be followed by another exhibition on the topoi of the Black King, Balthazar, in Medieval and Renaissance Art. Read more