About Medieval History

Treasures in the news

2010-02-06T14:29:07Z

This week there have been several news items related to treasure -- of one kind or another -- from the Middle Ages.

Viking treasure found in Shenston
An ingot dating to the 9th or 10th century was found less than five miles from the Staffordshire Hoard. See the article at This Is Lichfield.
More treasure found near Tamworth
A 15th-century silver link is of a design typical of the Lancastrian dynasty. Check out the item at This Is Tamworth.
Bronze Brooch rises from the ashes
A "zoomorphic penannular brooch" dating from around 600 C.E. was found in the remnants of a turf fire in Kerry, Ireland. Find out more in the feature by Anne Lucey at the Irish Times.
Search for Columba's monastery
A treasure hunt of a different kind is ongoing on the island of Iona. Archaeologists are seeking the original monastery built by Saint Columba when he first came to Scotland in the sixth century. Get the details in the article by Linda Engels at the Scotsman.

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Treasures in the news originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 14:29:07.

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"Shropshire Scroll" style painting discovered

2010-02-06T00:01:05Z

While refurbishing a wall in a Tudor home, workmen discovered a painting done in the "Shropshire Scroll" style that is believed to date to the 16th century. The style is unique to Shropshire, and this particular example is more than twice as large as any other known painting. Find out more about the painting in the article at BBC News.

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"Shropshire Scroll" style painting discovered originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Saturday, February 6th, 2010 at 00:01:05.

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Richard the Lionheart freed

2010-02-04T01:31:43Z

After his capture in March of 1192, Richard I of England was held prisoner by Emperor Henry VI for nearly two years. A massive fund-raising effort was carried out in England to raise the 150,000-mark ransom, and on February 4, 1194, he was set free.

See what else took place on February 4th in medieval times through our This Date in Medieval History resource.

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Richard the Lionheart freed originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Thursday, February 4th, 2010 at 01:31:43.

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The Secret of Kells

2010-02-03T02:33:38Z

Over the years, filmmakers have found some fairly rich source material in the Middle Ages -- from serious studies of the medieval psyche like The Seventh Seal and The Passion of Joan of Arc to much lighter fare such as The Court Jester and Robin Hood: Men in Tights. Some have even been recognized by Oscar�.

This year, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has recognized a lesser-known work by nominating it in the category of Best Animated Feature Film. The movie is The Secret of Kells, the story of a boy who must find a way to complete the legendary Book of Kells and stop the Viking attacks on the abbey he grew up in. I haven't seen the film myself; in fact, it isn't due to be released in the U.S. until March. But you can get a glimpse of the film at The Secret of Kells website, which includes a plot synopsis, a trailer, an image gallery and information about the voices.

The Secret of Kells is not a slick, Pixar-style production, but it does have some very nice artwork. Most intriguing of all, though it appears to be something of a fantasy, it does tell a story related to actual historical events and a treasured artifact of medieval times. I look forward to seeing it, though I may have to wait for it to come out on DVD so I can get it through Netflix.

For more about the Book of Kells, check out:

The Book of Kells
An introduction by your Guide
Images from the Book of Kells
Highlights from the book here at the Medieval History site

If you've seen The Secret of Kells, please feel free to share your impressions in the comments section of this blog.

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The Secret of Kells originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010 at 02:33:38.

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Edward III crowned King of England

2010-01-29T00:10:17Z

On January 29, 1327, Edward of Windsor, son of Edward II, was crowned King Edward III of England. During his 50-year reign, Edward would father five sons, create the Order of the Garter, and set off the Hundred Years' War.

Find out what else happened on January 29th in medieval times through our This Date in Medieval History resource.

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Edward III crowned King of England originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Friday, January 29th, 2010 at 00:10:17.

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Happy Birthday, Henry Tudor!

2010-01-28T01:30:59Z

The chances that Henry Tudor would ever become King of England were slim at best. Yet he won the Battle of Bosworth, ousted Richard III, and founded the Tudor dynasty. He then reigned over England as one of the stingiest and most paranoid kings they ever had.

In case I was too subtle, Henry isn't my favorite English king -- though I will admit he appeared to love his wife dearly. If he's not your favorite king, either, you might enjoy rearranging Henry's face at the American Branch of the Richard III Society.

Did anything else happen on January 28 in the Middle Ages? Quite a lot, actually. Find out in our This Date in Medieval History resource.

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Happy Birthday, Henry Tudor! originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 at 01:30:59.

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Archaeologists unearth Viking settlement in Dublin

2010-01-27T23:27:27Z

In a project commissioned and funded by the Office of Public Works, archaeologists have been excavating a site at Hammond Lane in the north side of Dublin since last year. Now, evidence of an 11th-century structure believed to be a house have been uncovered. Scholars have identified it as a "type one" Viking dwelling, and they have hopes that it is only part of a larger community.

Find out more in the article by Kitty Holland at The Irish Times.

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Archaeologists unearth Viking settlement in Dublin originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Wednesday, January 27th, 2010 at 23:27:27.

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Revolt!

2010-01-26T13:04:19Z

Welsh lord Llewelyn Bren led a series of revolts against English King Edward II. He began by besieging Caerphilly Castle on January 26, 1316. Though minor, Bren's revolts paved the way for a more serious rebellion led by Owain ap Thomas ap Rhodri, known as Owain Lawgoch (Owain of the red hand).

What else happened on January 26th in the Middle Ages? Find out in our This Date in Medieval History resource. And don't forget, you can visit the page for the current date by going to Today in Medieval History.

Revolt! originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Tuesday, January 26th, 2010 at 13:04:19.

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Happy Birthday, Richard de Bury!

2010-01-24T01:52:21Z

On January 24, 1287, Richard Aungerville was born into a prosperous family. He would follow a clerical path, taking the name "de Bury" because of his birthplace near Bury St. Edmund's, and he collected along the way a great many books. On his 58th birthday in 1345, Richard de Bury completed a book about his love of books known as the Philobiblon. "O books," Richard wrote, "who alone are liberal and free, who give to all who ask of you and enfranchise all who serve you faithfully!"

See what else happened on January 24th in medieval times through our This Date in Medieval History resource.

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Happy Birthday, Richard de Bury! originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Sunday, January 24th, 2010 at 01:52:21.

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Saint Anastasius is martyred

2010-01-22T01:07:22Z

Magundat was a soldier in the army of Chosroes, King of Persia, when Chosroes impressed him by carrying the cross from Jerusalem to Persia. He thought there might be something to this Christianity, so he sought to learn more about it. He left the army, converted to Christianity, and then became a monk, changing his name to Anastasius.

For seven years Anastasius observed the rules of his monastic order in the strictest possible way. Then he felt the call to seek out martyrdom. He went to C�sarea, which had been conquered by the Persians, and chastised the people for the magic and fireworship he himself had once practiced. This didn't go over too well. He was captured, tortured extensively, and then on January 22, 628, he was strangled to death and his body decapitated.

Did anything else -- perhaps something less grisly -- happen on January 22nd in the Middle Ages? Find out in our This Date in Medieval History resource.

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Saint Anastasius is martyred originally appeared on About.com Medieval History on Friday, January 22nd, 2010 at 01:07:22.

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