leidenmedievalistsblog — page 30

Cultural History

Horn-bearers, voodoo dolls and magic cups: Discovering adultery with medieval magic tricks

The main attraction of magic was its perceived power to influence things that made people anxious, because they were beyond their control. Judging by medieval literature, to a medieval husband, one of the biggest causes for anxiety was his wife’s fidelity.

Art History

Nudis pedibus: a bare-footed cleric in Urnes, Norway

From a bare footed cleric to a centaur: The stave church of Urnes (Norway) tells its visitors a message in wood.

Cultural History · Art History · Socio-Economic History

Vrouwen in de Duitse Orde

Vrouwen mochten volgens de middeleeuwse statuten van de Duitse Orde niet intreden. Toch zijn er zusters van deze orde bekend. We gaan op zoek naar vrouwen in het regionale hoofdkwartier in Utrecht. Hun positie blijkt veranderlijk geweest te zijn.

“Are you really sisters?” “No, we’re researchers!”

This summer, Godelinde Perk, Marly Terwisscha and Lieke Smits brought medieval sisters to life. How can research by performance lead to new insights?

Art History · Book History

Throw Away that Tedious Text! 15th-Century Illustrated Books in 18th- and 19th-Century Hands

Studying fifteenth-century books can be a frustrating task, especially if former owners decided to throw away the text. But the changing attitudes towards early printed books are equally fascinating.

Cultural History · Art History

This pig is on fire: A late medieval pig in Leiden’s Pieterskerk

A late medieval painting on a pillar in Leiden’s Pieterskerk shows a pig, surrounded by flames. What is going on here?