Travelling to Denmark in 2026? Don’t miss the opportunity to see the magnificent golden treasure from Vindelev, dated to around AD 450–49
Category: Medieval Exhibitions
In the Italian Manner: Spain and Mediterranean Gothic 1320–1420
In spring 2026, the Prado in Madrid will offer a spectacular exhibition inviting us into the artistic world of Mediterranean Gothic, 1320–1420.
Love, Sex, and Gender in the Middle Ages at the Metropolitan
Fluid and queer sex is featured in a new medieval exhibition at the Met Cloisters in New York during winter 2025-26
1250 Years in Westphalia – an Exhibition
Westphalia celebrates 1250 years of its history and remembers the Saxon Wars and its Carolingian heritage
Battle at Braunsberg AD 775 and new Exhibition at Höxter
In 775, Charlemagne dispatched an army into Saxony, part of which ended in the battle at Braunsberg on the brinks of Weser in 775. Exhibition tells the story of the Saxon Wars from a local perspective
Apocalypse – Yesterday and Today
New exhibition in Paris at the Bibliotheque Nationale Française enlightens us about the history of our apocalyptic thinking in the past and present
A Glimpse into the Daily Life at the Court of Kunigunde and Heinrich II in Bamberg
Bamberg will host an important exhibition in the autumn 2024 focusing on the daily life at the imperial court of Henry II and Cunigunde
Medieval Sculpture from Notre-Dame de Paris at Cluny
Two Exhibitions at the Medieval Museum of Cluny in Paris celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame de Paris. One features the medieval sculptural legacy
The Royal Library at Bamberg
When the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II died 1000 years ago, on July 13, 1024, he left behind a rich legacy of books.
Medieval Women: In Their Own Words
Encounter the women of medieval Europe through their own words, visions and experiences, in an exhibition like no other.
From the courage of Joan of Arc at her trial for heresy, and the visionary experiences of Julian of Norwich, to the artistry of the London silkwoman Alice Claver, the work of female medical practitioners, and the struggles of female rulers like Queen Melisende of Jerusalem, this exhibition explores the challenges, achievements and daily lives of women in Europe from 1100 to 1500. It will tell the history of medieval women through their own words and uncover their lives through manuscripts, documents and artefacts.
Discover the rich and complex lives of women in the Middle Ages, with over 140 extraordinary items that reveal their artistry, resourcefulness, courage and struggles. Tickets are on sale now.
Must-see highlights include:
- The Book of the Queen by Christine de Pizan: The first professional woman author in Europe
- Sibylle of Flanders’ 12th-century ivory cross: Owned by Sibylle, countess of Flanders, who went on Crusade to the Holy Land
- A silk textile made in al-Andalus (Islamic Spain), where Muslim women labourers were fundamental to the silk industry
- Julian of Norwich’s The Revelations of Divine Love: the first work in English definitely authored by a woman
- A 15th-century birthing girdle: a manuscript inscribed with prayers and charms that was used for protection during childbirth
- Battel Hall retable, a rare surviving painting from a medieval English nunnery
- On Women’s Cosmetics: a recipe book likely to have been composed in Southern Italy in the 12th century with recipes for hair dye remover, face creams and breath freshener
- A lion skull that possibly came from a pet lion of Margaret of Anjou, Queen of England.
Break free from traditional narratives and encounter personalities both famous and forgotten who tell the story of medieval womanhood. And discover stories familiar to women today, from the gender pay gap and harmful stereotypes, to access to healthcare and education, as well as challenges faced by female leaders.
Hear the words of medieval women from across the centuries, speaking powerfully for the thousands whose voices have not surfaced as yet – and likely never will.
Digitisation of Charters and Manuscripts
As part of the run-up to the exhibition, the British Library has also been digitising a significant number of their charters and rolls relating to Medieval and Renaissance Women (218 charters at the last count and 25 rolls). They will make a separate announcement when all of these are online — many of them already are. However, the British Library is still working to compensate for the hacking, which took place last year. The new collection ads to the 93 manuscripts earlier digitsed, offering a substantial help to scholars and other interested in exploring the rich collections in the BL pertaining to women and gender studies.
VISIT:
Medieval Women: In their Own Voice.
The British Library, London
25.10.2+24 – 02.03.2024
READ MORE:
The Coronation of Konrad II in Mainz and a Year of Celebrations
This year, the city of Bamberg commemorates the death of Henry II, while the city of Mainz focuses on the coronation of their Emperor Conrad II
Daily Life at the Court of Cunigunde and Henry II in Bamberg
Bamberg will host an important exhibition in the autumn 2024 focusing on the daily life at the imperial court of Henry II and Cunigunde
1300 Years at Reichenau
This year, the Abbey at Reichenau celebrates its foundation in AD 724, the first monastery in present-day Germany. The anniversary is celebrated with a major exhibition in Konstanz.
The Arts in France under Charles VII (1422-1461)
New exhibition at the Musée de Cluny this spring focus on the artists and forms og art in France during the reign of Charles VII
Medieval Treasures from the Victoria & Albert Museum in Paris
This autumn, a fine collection of Medieval Art can be seen at the Hôtel de la Marine in Paris telling the artistic story of the period "When the English Spoke French…"
The Life of Bodi – Mighty Frankish Warrior
Fifty years ago, archaeologists discovered Bodi’s burial near the river Rhine. This summer, we are invited to explore his life at an exhibition in Bonn.