Giovanni dal Porte is an important Florentine artist bridging late Gothic and Early Renaissance. This winter, an exhibition in Florence shows his work.
Author: Medieval Histories
Magic Viking Staffs
The staff or wand was an important accessory used by the Völva when carrying out her magic. New book explores the staffs in both literature and archaeology
Minor Medieval News for November 2016
Surfing the net, we often stumble upon minor news about medieval "stuff". Here are some of the interesting tidbits we found this month
Enter the Medieval Clan
This week we have witnessed a shift in global politics difficult to come to terms with. One way is by imagining a post-liberal, clannish, medieval society.
Monastery of Santa María de Sigena
Nearly destroyed in 1936 during the Civil War, the murals from Santa María de Sigena are at the centre of a vicious fight between Catalonia and Aragon
Cultural Consequences of the Justinian Plague
What were the consequences of the Justinian Plague in the 6th century? How did people react to the pain and suffering, which by all accounts were just as devastating as those in the 14th century?
How Devastating was the Justinian Plague in the 6th Century?
New overview of mass-graves s offers tantalising glimpse of how to measure the impact of the Justinian Plague on the "Fall of Rome".
The Winter Camp of the Great Viking Army at Torksey
In 2013 the archaeological discovery of the Viking Winter Camp of the “mycel heathen here” in Torksey was reported. Now comes the scientific publicationin The Antiquaries Journal.
Cleveland’s Gothic Table Fountain
Cleveland Museum of Art celebrates its centenary in 2016. For medievalist a particular exhibition of Cleveland’s Gothic Table Fountain is exciting
Worlds Within. Opening the Medieval Shrine Madonna
Medieval Shrine Madonnas were intimate sculptures, delicately carved and painted to let the devoted audience contemplate Mary as Mother worlds within
Mother of Mercy – Bane of the Jews
In Anglo-Norman England, the Benedictines found innovative ways to venerate Mary as the Mother of Mercy exhibiting her as the favourite enemy of the Jews.
Mary of Mercy in Medieval and Renaissance Italian Art
Mary of Mercy sheltering her devotees beneath her blue cape is a beloved icon of faithful Christians. A new book traces the history of this emblem.
Medieval Islamic Maps
Why is South always on top of medieval Islamic Maps? And why are the islands in the Mediterranean placed like pearls on a string ? New book tells the story.
Benedictine Basilica in Norcia Crumbles
In 2000 a group of monks returned to Norcia in Southern Umbria to live out their vocation in the birthplace of St. Benedict. This autumn it has all crumbled
The Hidden Messages of the Alhambra
Catalogue of nearly 10,000 epigraphic inscriptions found in Alhambra have recently been concluded unveiling unimaginative riches
The Medieval City of Lund
Medieval city of Lund in Scania is believed to have been founded in AD 990. It soon became a major Christian centre and retains its medieval core