The Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 was the most significant Scottish victory in the War of Scottish Independence and by many hailed as the culmination of the forging of an independent Scottish Nation
Category: Medieval History
Misty Scotland
When did Scotland merge from the mists of pre-history? How did the people North of the Firth of Forth begin to think of themselves as Scots?
The history of Early Medieval Scotland
The history of Early Medieval Scotland is no longer just a history of the distinctive tribes: Celts, Picts, Vikings or Anglo-Normans
City Accounts from Augsburg
Historians of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz edit medieval ledgers from Augsburg
Viking-Age Aggersborg
Geophysical surveys shed new light on the enigmatic Ring fortresses from the reign of Harold Bluetooth
Shapwick – Landscape and Community in Somerset
The English Village is both a reality and a romantic dream. But what were the roots of these nucleated settlements? New book explores Shapwick to find answers
New Viking Ring Fortress Discovered
Denmark is famous for its four Viking Ring Fortresses. This spring a fifth was suddenly discovered in the eastern part of Zealand
Deserted Medieval Villages in England
Recently a series of deserted medieval villages in England were recognised as ancient monuments
Hadrian’s Wall Trust
The ancient wall faces a very modern threat from government cuts when the successful Hadrian's Wall Trust closes its doors
Medieval Royal Lifestyle
Analysis of the bones and teeth of Richard III has uncovered a fascinating story of his changing lifestyles
A recent study by the British Geological Survey, in association with researchers at the University of Leicester, has delved into the bone and tooth chemistry of King Richard III and uncovered fascinating new details about the life and diet of Britain’s last Plantagenet king. The study, published in Elsevier’s Journal of Archaeological Science indicates a change in diet and location in his early childhood, and in later life, a diet filled with expensive, high status food and drink. These findings feature for the first time in a Channel 4 documentary on Sunday 17th August at 9pm.
Isotope analysis of bone and tooth material from King Richard III has revealed previously unknown details of his early life and the change in his diet when he became King two years and two months before he was killed at the Battle of Bosworth. The research examines the changes in chemistry found in the teeth, the femur and the rib; all of which develop and rebuild at different stages of life.
Isotope measurements that relate to geographical location, pollution and diet (strontium, nitrogen, oxygen, carbon and lead) were analysed in three locations on the skeleton of Richard III. The teeth, which form in childhood, confirmed that Richard had moved from Fotheringay castle in eastern England by the time he was seven. The data suggest that during this time he was in an area of higher rainfall, older rocks and with a changed diet relative to his place of birth in Northamptonshire. By examining the femur, which represents an average of the 15 years before death, researchers show that Richard moved back to eastern England as an adolescent or young adult, and had a diet that matched the highest aristocracy.
The third location, the rib, renews itself relatively quickly, so it only represents between 2 and 5 years of life before death. Data from the isotopes in this bone indicate the greatest change in diet. Although an alteration in the chemistry between the femur and the rib of Richard III could indicate relocation, historical records show that Richard did not move from the east of England in the 2 years prior to his death when he was King. As such, this chemical change is more likely to represent a change in diet relating to his period as King. The difference suggests an increase in consumption of freshwater fish and birds, which were popular additions to royal banquets at the time and included birds such as swan, crane, heron and egret. In addition, the bone chemistry suggests he was drinking more wine during his short reign as King and reinforces the idea that food and drink were strongly linked to social status in Medieval England; perhaps even more specifically the royal lifestyle.
Dr Angela Lamb, Isotope Geochemist and lead author of the paper says “The chemistry of Richard III’s teeth and bones reveal changes in his geographical movements, diet and social status throughout his life.”
Richard Buckley from the University of Leicester Archaeological Services and lead archaeologist in the Richard III dig, said: “This cutting edge research has provided a unique opportunity to shed new light on the diet and environment of a major historical figure –Richard III. It is very rare indeed in archaeology to be able to identify a named individual with precise dates and a documented life.
“This has enabled the stable-isotope analysis to show how his environment changed at different times in his life and, perhaps most significantly, identified marked changes in his diet when he became king in 1483. “
The Dig for Richard III was led by the University of Leicester, working with Leicester City Council and in association with the Richard III Society. The originator of the Search project was Philippa Langley of the Richard III Society.
SOURCE:
Multi-isotope analysis demonstrates significant lifestyle changes in King Richard III
By Angela L. Lamb, Jane E. Evans, Richard Buckley, Jo Appleby
Journal of Archaeological Science 2014
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Pontefract Castle
Pontefract Castle secures Heritage Lottery Fund investment of over £3million
Medieval Silesia
Silesia is a region situated in the borderland between present-day Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. New book tells its Medieval History
Viking Swords as Ottonian Prestige
Swords as symbols of sovereignty are known from the 11th century and onwards. However, careful examination of new evidence shows the precursors belonging to the 10th century Ottonian dynasty were typical Viking swords
The Battle of Clontarff 1014
The Irish used to know that the great Irish king, Brian Boru, saved Ireland on Good Friday 1014, defeating the heathen vikings. The truth is more complicated.
“…ignorant, barbarous, thoughtless, irreclaimable and unsociable foreigners” (Cogadh Gáedhel re Gallaibh, 12th century)
On Good Friday 1014 the battle of Clontarf on the East Coast of Ireland took place between the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru of Munster and Máel Mórda mac Murchada, king of Leinster, whose party was swollen by Norsemen led by Sigtrygg Silkbeard from Dublin and contingents of Vikings from Orkney (led by Sigurðr) and the Isle of Mann
The background of the battle was the on-going strife between the Irish warlords, Brian Boru from Munster and Máel Mórda mac Murchada from Leinster, but also the interest amongst the Norsemen to consolidate and expand their holding of Dublin and South Eastern Ireland.
The battle is said to have lasted a whole day from sunrise to sunset. It is estimated between 7 – 10.000 men were killed, amongst whom were the chief protagonists. The battle of Clontarf is often commemorated as a ground-breaking event, which in the end (post 1052) secured the independence of the Irish from the Norsemen, who had carved out an existence in Dublin and elsewhere during the preceding two centuries.
In fact, it was probably more complicated. It seems to have been a very bloody affair, which weakened both the Irish and the Norsemen (who anyway at this point were heavily interrelated). Another distinguishing factor was that so many of the leaders of the two factions and their sons and family members seem to have perished in the battle.
Commemorating the battle this year is a temporary exhibition at The National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, which aims to “explode” the myths and present the evidence. Viking and Irish weapons, typical of those used in the battle, features alongside hoards of precious silver objects and religious treasures. Much more recent artefacts will bring the story of Brian Boru and Clontarf right into modern times.
In April this exhibition was accompanied by a Battle of Clontarf Conference designed to – once and for all –
“establish the truth of what really happened at Clontarf for a twenty-first century audience, to re-evaluate the role of Brian Boru in the light of the latest cutting-edge research, and to bring recent investigations of the subject of the high-kingship of Ireland and of the role of the Vikings in medieval Ireland into the realm of public discourse, dispelling (or perhaps reconfirming) myths, shedding new light, raising public awareness, and promoting new synergetic fields of research by adopting a methodology that is explicitly interdisciplinary.”
We eagerly await the publication of the proceedings. Until then students at The University have very kindly provided a website with short introductions and links to the relevant sources.
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…ignorant, barbarous, thoughtless, irreclaimable, unsociable foreigners of the Orc Islands.”
Thor’s Hammer
‘This is a hammer’ says the Runic inscription on an amulet - a Thor's Hammer - which an unknown Viking lost on one of the small islands in Southern Denmark.
History of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune
The Abbey of Saint-Maurice d’Agaune is one of the oldest monasteries in Western Europe. It was founded around 380 AD
Around 300 a rebellion broken out in what is currently the Western part of Switzerland. As the story goes, a legion of Roman soldiers from Egypt was transferred to the region in order to crush the revolt. On the night before battle the emperor Maximian issued the usual order that the whole army should offer to the Roman Gods. The challenge was that the soldiers in the so-called Theban legion were Christians. After repeatedly having refused to comply with the command, the emperor ordered a decimation. Following this every 10th man was put to death; at the same time an additional decimation was declared to take place if the soldiers, who were still alive, did not give in. In the end it is claimed that 6600 soldiers in the Theban legion refused to take part in the sacrificial rites and were martyred. This is primarily said to have taken place at Aquanum at an old toll-station on the upper Rhone, where the river meanders through a narrow gorge. Whether a legend or not, the story very early on caught the imagination of the men of the Late Antiquity. One of these was Eucherius, who visited the site in the first part of the 5th century and wrote about it a letter. Here he told the story in detail of how a bishop, Theodore of Octodurum, had a vision of where to find the remains of the martyred soldiers.
- Saint-Maurice in Magdeburg. The Theban legions was venerated all over Europe
There are many reasons to believe that the legend about the Theban legion and its martyrdom was invented by this Theodore around 380’s, when there was a frenzy to discover saints and martyrs galore, while at the same time a pagan resurgence in the Roman army was taking place (around 390 AD). Nonetheless, whatever the facts and fiction, the story quickly caught the imagination of locals as well as bishops, and very soon a thriving centre for pilgrimage was erected on top of an earlier Roman sanctuary dedicated to Celtic water nymphs. When Eucherius visited the site, he noted that the earliest basilica, where the martyrs were buried, was already endowed with silver, gold and precious art and famous for its miracles. Probably the first sanctuary was cared for by a double institution, both male and female. In the earliest writing s we get an impression of a somewhat boisterous place: at the same time both local sanctuary, post-station for travellers and pilgrims and toll-station for merchants moving between Gaul, Germany and Italy. In the beginning of the 6th century – Saint-Maurice d’Agaune came to play a slightly different role as it was reformed by the Burgundian king, Sigismund († 524). His father was an Arian; however as a student of Avitus of Vienne he converted to Catholicism. Together the two men, king and bishop, turned the place into a highly evocative and symbolic site. Architecturally they rebuilt the basilica and reorganised the site by adding a series of other buildings to it. Further a new liturgy – Laus Perennis – was introduced to fill the place with eternal song. Later, after Sigismund and his family had been murdered, his remains were translated to the church, where he became venerated as the first royal saint in Western Europe. This contributed to cement the site as a both a royal and religious centre. In due course it came to present a format for other large monasteries, e.g. St. Denis in Paris. Later in the 9th century, after a group of Augustinian Canons had taken over from the monks, the place was once more imbued with a certain aura, when the second Burgundian Kingdom was established. Since then it has continuously functioned as both a local religious centre and a powerful political place, caring for the myth of soldiers, who did not desert, but instead believed it possible to be at the same time “in and out of this world”; as famously memorialised by Saint-Maurice in the speech, rendered by Eucherius:
“Emperor, we are your soldiers but also the soldiers of the true God. We owe you military service and obedience, but we cannot renounce Him who is our Creator and Master, and also yours even though you reject Him. In all things, which are not against His law, we most willingly obey you, as we have done hitherto. We readily oppose your enemies whoever they are, but we cannot stain our hands with the blood of innocent people (Christians). We have taken an oath to God before we took one to you, you cannot place any confidence in our second oath if we violate the other (the first). You commanded us to execute Christians, behold we are such. We confess God the Father the creator of all things and His Son Jesus Christ, God. We have seen our comrades slain with the sword, we do not weep for them but rather rejoice at their honour. Neither this, nor any other provocation has tempted us to revolt. Behold, we have arms in our hands, but we do not resist, because we would rather die innocent than live by any sin.”
Today the abbey is home to 53 regulated canons, who work amongst the local people as well as in the local college. Apart from this, the canons cater for the many pilgrims, which still visit the evocative place. The abbey has also been declared World Heritage. Another function is thus to cater for the many cultural tourists, who come to see the famous treasury and the archaeological site.
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The 1500-year anniversary 2014-15
Archaeology at Saint-Maurice d’Agaune
The Treasury at Saint-Maurice d’Agaune
The textiles at Saint-Maurice d’Agaune