What do place names tells us about the early history of England?
The Medieval in Middle-earth: Anglo-Saxon Elephants and Tolkien’s Oliphaunts
Learn more about the medieval material that inspired Tolkien's Oliphaunts!
Pigs and Bagpipes: Geoffrey Chaucer’s Miller in Context
Geoffrey Chaucer drew on various medieval traditions surrounding pigs to characterise one of his most memorable characters in the Canterbury Tales: Robin the Miller. A boarish fellow In his Canterbury Tales (1387-1400), Geoffrey Chaucer brings to life a great variety of characters who set out on a pilgrimage to Canterbury. To pass the time, the … Continue reading Pigs and Bagpipes: Geoffrey Chaucer’s Miller in Context
The boar who would be king: Royal boar prophecies in medieval England
Long live the boar! This blog post calls attention to the role of the boar in medieval English royal prophecies.
Creepy Crawlies in Early Medieval England: Anglo-Saxon Medicine and Minibeasts
What roles do worms, spiders and earwigs play in early medieval medicine? And why should you throw a dungbeetle over your shoulder?
An Anglo-Saxon Anecdote: A singing ox, some dead pigeons and Saint Edith of Wilton
According to Goscelin of St Bertin, a singing ox and some dead pigeons heralded the death of saint Edith of Wilton (d. 984).
Paws, Pee and Pests: Cats among Medieval Manuscripts
Cats leaving paw-prints and pee-stains in medieval manuscripts. An old blog post and its aftermath.
Thijs Porck 