Category: Research

A place for ideas for the future, to collect research

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The Dark Ages are called Dark for a reason….

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I've been feeling a challenge to design garb for pre-1066, northwestern Europe (specifically Irish from the Scandinavian extraction).  This is difficult, because the graphic record seems to go from mosaics of Theodosius to the Book of Kells with no in-between, and not much else. Mistress Una sent me to this book:Dress in Anglo-Saxon England, Gale Owen-Crocker which Maudey had, and also had this one: Cloth and Clothing in Early Anglo-Saxon England, Penelope Rogers I looked at both of them this weekend.  I wants them.  They did well to feed the weaver-person, just like Clothing Culture and Woven Into the Earth.  … Continue reading The Dark Ages are called Dark for a reason….

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Greco-Arabic Translation

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Get it while it's hot (this site doesn't archive its podcasts): http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/radio4/iot/iot_20081002-1130a.mp3 Melvyn discusses the monumental impact of the Graeco-Arabic translation movement which began in the 8th century in Baghdad. His guests this week are Peter Adamson,Reader in Philosophy at King's College London; Amira Bennison, Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge; and Peter Pormann, Wellcome Trust Assistant Professor in Classics and Ancient History at the University of Warwick. Continue reading Greco-Arabic Translation

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Medieval Treasures at the High

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(For those unfamiliar with Atlanta, the High Museum is its major art museum.) Medieval and Renaissance Treasures from the Victoria and Albert Museum September 13, 2008 – January 4, 2009 Skyway Level, Stent Family Wing This exhibition consists of 35 medieval and renaissance masterpieces from one of the world’s finest collections. This internationally traveling exhibition of rare treasures from The Victoria and Albert Museum presents works dating from 300 to 1600 AD, many of which have never before traveled to the U.S. Following the tour, the works will be returned to newly-restored galleries at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Highlights … Continue reading Medieval Treasures at the High

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What to do with the Seven Deadly Sins…?

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 It is amazing what people think a teacher will use.  Here we have seven plaster plaques, illustrating in medievalesque fashion, incarnations of the traditional Seven Deadly Sins. My husband brought these home from his school – he’s not sure where they came from.  However, oddly, I really don’t want to live with them any longer.  Would anyone like them?  They’re all fitted with hardware for hanging on the wall.  Shoot me an email and we’ll work out delivery. Continue reading What to do with the Seven Deadly Sins…?

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Book Review – Magdalena and Balthasar

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Magdalena and Balthasar: An Intimate Portrait of Life in 16th Century Europe Revealed in the Letters of a Nuremberg Husband & Wife, and Illuminated by Steven Ozment, c. 1986 This entertaining little book is quite the peek into the private lives of a well-to-do merchant and his wife, who are routinely separated for periods of two months up to four, as Balthasar visits the Italian fairs from Germany. It’s more fit for the armchair historian – the sort of person who wonders if the “nasty, brutish and short” rumors are really true, given all the lovely depictions left behind in … Continue reading Book Review – Magdalena and Balthasar

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The Arab Conquests

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I'm having fits with TypePad – they're doing upgrades, and I never seem to find a good time to upload pictures.  While I struggle with that, check out In Our Time's current podcast download: The Arab Conquests. Melvyn Bragg discusses the mighty Arab conquests of the 7th century with his guests Hugh Kennedy, Professor of Arabic at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London; Amira Bennison, Senior Lecturer in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at the University of Cambridge; and Robert Hoyland, Professor in Arabic and Middle East Studies at the University of St Andrews. Continue reading The Arab Conquests

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Still alive – here’s the Black Death.

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Hi all – sorry for the hiatus in posts.  I’ve put myself on a new schedule, am tremendously productive…but haven’t been taking the time to blog.  However, I’m presently on vacay visiting family, so… Here’s a bit of Black Death to entertain you while I figure out what to do with myself.  Get thyself to In Our Time, and download the audio sometime this week, because when the new one’s up, the last one’s gone. Hopefully it’ll still be there when I get home to my laptop. Continue reading Still alive – here’s the Black Death.