Illustrated medieval manuscripts and severed babies. Cuthwine, bishop of Dunwich, had a taste for comics and gory details.
The Illustrated Old English Hexateuch: An early medieval picture book
This blog post focuses on one of the most extensively illustrated books from the Middle Ages: The Illustrated Old English Hexateuch (The British Library, Cotton Claudius B.IV). A unique picture book from early medieval England. The Illustrated Old English Hexateuch as a picture book Thirty-three goats, twenty-six sheep, thirty-one camels, thirty cows and twenty-nine asses. … Continue reading The Illustrated Old English Hexateuch: An early medieval picture book
Teaching the Passion to the Anglo-Saxons: An early medieval comic strip in the St Augustine Gospels
As Easter is drawing near, this blog post deals with a unique early medieval manuscript that reveals how missionaries around the year 600 tried to teach the story of the Passion to the Anglo-Saxons. Notably, they used a rather modern method: teaching through comics. Saint Augustine of Canterbury (d. 604) In the year 597, a … Continue reading Teaching the Passion to the Anglo-Saxons: An early medieval comic strip in the St Augustine Gospels
Scribal abuse in the Middle Ages
Adam scriveyn, if ever it thee bifalle Boece or Troilus to wryten newe, Under thy lokkes thou most have the scalle, But after my making thou wryte trewe. So ofte a daye I mot thy werk renewe, Hit to correcte and eek to rubbe and scrape; And al is through thy negligence and rape. [Adam … Continue reading Scribal abuse in the Middle Ages
Anglo-Saxon aphrodisiacs: How to arouse someone from the early Middle Ages?
Now that an Anglo-Saxon eye salve defeated the superbug MRSA, it is time to try out some other Old English recipes: Anglo-Saxon aphrodisiacs!
Arseling: A Word Coined by Alfred the Great?
This blog post discusses the origins and use of the word 'arseling' in Old English, where it occurs as 'earsling'. There may be a surprising connection to none other than King Alfred the Great himself!
Passion, Piles and a Pebble: What Ailed Alfred the Great?
The second episode of The Last Kingdom (UK airdate: Thursday, 29 October, 9 pm, BBC 2) introduces Prince Alfred, who would later become King Alfred the Great (d. 899). In his first scene, Alfred is portrayed as a man tormented both physically (because of his health) and morally (because of his lustful feelings towards the … Continue reading Passion, Piles and a Pebble: What Ailed Alfred the Great?
Thijs Porck 