A Historical Vignette: The Graveyard of the Outcast Dead

Before we begin: this is an article about sex work and prostitution. When I originally wrote this article, it was pointed out to me that I (as an affluent white male with almost zero exposure to sex work in the real world) was writing from an aloof perspective on a delicate and difficult subject, without acknowledging or incorporating the voices of those with more direct … Continue reading A Historical Vignette: The Graveyard of the Outcast Dead

Makeup In The 12th Century

By Eleanor Hodgson “Another time I was at a meetingIn Heaven, by chanceAnd the statues were complaining,Of ladies who paint themselves,I saw them complain to God,About the women who heighten their complexion,And make their flesh shine,With paint that should be used on statues.” The first verse of a Tenso written by the Benedictine Monge de Montaudon (monk of Montaudon) between 1180-1215. Make-up was hardly a … Continue reading Makeup In The 12th Century

Bold Reynard With His Wits So Fine

By Tara Hodgson & Barnie Matthews In our culture, foxes are usually depicted as sly, devious and cunning, from the Redwall novels to Blackadder’s “as cunning as a fox who’s just been appointed professor of cunning at Oxford university”. Which might seem a little strange to anyone who’s ever encountered a real life fox: while foxes are certainly intelligent, they are also frequently shy and … Continue reading Bold Reynard With His Wits So Fine

The Basics: Church Attitudes

Welcome to The Basics- a series of short articles designed to introduce and explain some of the features of normal life that everyone living in the 12th century would know (plus a bonus factoid for you to get ansty in the comments about). This week, we’re looking at what everyday people thought about the church and religious practice. Nobody in 12th century Britain (other than … Continue reading The Basics: Church Attitudes

Spurred Into Action: the Anglo-Normans and Cavalry

By Daniel FitzEdward The mounted warrior is, for many, the quintessential image of the knight. In France and England, the culture of knighthood was intertwined so heavily with horsemanship that the two were encapsulated in a single word- ‘chevalrie’. And yet, the Anglo-Norman knight of the early 12th century was no stranger to being dismounted. The battles of Tinchebrai, Bourgtheroulde, Brémule and Northallerton (aka The … Continue reading Spurred Into Action: the Anglo-Normans and Cavalry

Living In History

Today, we should all have been at Kenilworth. The morning sun would be shining, the sounds and bustle of an encampment waking up should be echoing off the castle walls. Bodies should be stiff from yesterday’s combat, and voices should be hoarse from last night’s excesses. Fires should be being lit, craftspeople unpacking their tools, fresh-faced levies being rolled out of bed, bleary-eyed knights mumbling … Continue reading Living In History

Battle Report: Brémule (1119)

Welcome Battle Report, where we dissect the deployment, tactics and outcome of prominent battles from Normannis era. Last time we covered the Battle of Tinchebray, that secured Henry I’s hold on the English throne, and this time we turn to the battle that kept Normandy in his hand too: against the French king at Brémule. Background With his brother Robert imprisoned after the disastrous loss … Continue reading Battle Report: Brémule (1119)