Endless 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.
Category: Medieval History
Did Climate Change Foster the Decline and Fall?
The story of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire is incresingly considered as a reflection of 4thcentury widespread draughts on the Eurasian Steppes, the wanderings of the Huns, and the forced migration of the Germans.
The Long Tenth Century
Europe in the 10th Century is commonly allowed to stretch from 890 to 1030. Named since the 15th century as the “Century of Lead and Iron”, it was characterised by a significant shift from centre to the periphery, from France to Germany.
Avaldsnes – Norway’s Oldest Royal Seat
The famous royal seat at Avaldsnes on the West-coast of Norway is best known as the residence of Harold Fairhair, but excavations tell us about a splendid royal hall from the 13th century
Medieval Fishing Village in Walraversijde
Close to airport of Ostend in Belgium lies a proper hidden gem, the Walraversijde archaeological site – a medieval open-air museum
The Garden of Martin Luther
“I have planted a garden and dug a well. Now, come and be crowned with a wreath of roses and lilies…”(Martin Luther 1525)
Medieval Gardens from 500 – 1500
Some may think that medieval gardens were all about cabbages, beans and medicinal herbs. But gardens also came to be intended for lush and frivolous play
Climate and Migrations in Early Medieval Germany
What role did the Early Medieval climate changes play in the creation of the post-Roman world? Did people migrate because of the cooling weather?
Medieval Hilltop Villages and Castles in the Italian Landscape
The history behind the castle-building on hilltops in the medieval Mediterranean landscape – the incastellamento or incastellation – is nuanced
The Plan of St. Gall – Ideal or Reality
One of the treasures from the Carolingian Age is the Plan of St. Gall - a design for an ideal monastery – from the 9th century.
Book of Hours of Richard III
Rumour has it this Book of Hours accompanied Richard III to the Battle of Bosworth. Later impaired by the mother of Henry VII, it has now been digitised.
Environment in the Classical and Medieval Worlds
Environmentalism covers the ancient idea that environments and climate influences our mentalities. New book offers an introduction
The Great Transition in the Late Medieval World
New book by Bruce M. S. Campbell on the Great Transition from 13th to the 16th century promises to be the new bible in environmental history
Syrian Drought Worst in 900 Years
The newly published Old World Drought Atlas was recently used to gauge the seriousness of the Syrian Draught, the like of which has not been seen for 900 years.
Geoffrey de Charny c. 1306 -1356
Geoffrey de Charny was the first documented owner of the Shroud of Turin and an accomplished knight, who wrote a famous handbook of Chivalry.
Trends at Kalamazoo
Medievalists in Kalamazoo seem out of sync with a public more interested in ‘Early Medieval history” and ‘Beowulf’ than Chaucer and literature