Since its inception in 2014, almost thirty members of the Centre for Medieval Studies (and several invited guests) have written for the blog. We’re very fortunate to host such a wide range of expertise at all career levels, and are proud to be able to highlight each individual’s salient contributions to the blog over the past decade.
Would you like to see yourself on this list? The blog is always looking for new contributors, and we warmly welcome expressions of interest from anyone connected with medieval studies at Exeter and beyond. Take a look at our ‘Write For Us’ page for more information.
A love letter to antiquarians (July 2024)
Naomi Allen is a PhD researcher in the Department of Archaeology and History, working on the English Cluniac congregation after the Black Death. On the blog, she has written about the experience and importance of site visits for historians. She has also been the postgraduate representative for the Centre.
Devon’s Monastic Woods Before and After the Reformation (August 2020) ⏐ Modern Portrayals of the Medieval Cleric (November 2016)
Des Atkinson completed his PhD in 2021, for a thesis entitled ‘John Morton’s Contemporaries and the Re-making of the English Church’. He has since taught on a wide variety of modules at Exeter. His writing for the blog has focused largely on monastic topics, with a further interest in local studies.
Women and Sex in Christian-Muslim relations (November 2014)
Simon Barton held senior positions in both Modern Languages and History at Exeter, where he specialised in the literatures and cultures of medieval Iberia. He was instrumental in creating the Centre as it exists today, and was a key figure in the creation of the MA in Medieval Studies. His departure from Exeter in 2016 was marked with a post on this very blog. Simon sadly passed away in 2017, shortly after taking up a chair at the University of Central Florida, and a tribute from members of the Centre is available to read here. The University of Central Florida also produced its own obituary.
Three women in a court: the ‘villeins and fugitives’ of Waddeton (December 2024) ⏐ The story (and politics) of a murder (June 2024)
Shagnick Bhattacharya is a freelance writer, and recently completed an MRes in Social and Economic History at the University of Exeter. Outside of the Medieval Studies blog, he has written extensively for the University’s student newspaper, Exeposé, on a variety of stories and topics.
Tips for Mature Scholars and Distance Learners (August 2023) ⏐ New edition of the History of Alfred of Beverley (August 2023) ⏐ 120 Days in Medieval Baghdad (October 2022) ⏐ In Conversation with Alice Taylor, Part Two (March 2021) ⏐ In Conversation with Alice Taylor, Part One (March 2021) ⏐ Distinguished Alumnus Wins Prestigious Prize (October 2020) ⏐ Medieval Seminars, 2020-21 (September 2020) ⏐ News in the Middle Ages (January 2020) ⏐ Medieval History in the Classroom: An Interview with Jack Pettit (September 2019) ⏐ Interview with Nicolas Orme (March 2019) ⏐ Collaborating with the Traveler’s Lab (November 2017) ⏐ Leeds Report 2017 (July 2017) ⏐ A Day Trip (June 2017) ⏐ Douglas Fairbanks, Robin Hood, and the Scop-Knopping Past (October 2016) ⏐ The Foundations of English Law in Exeter (November 2014) ⏐ AHRC Funds Syon Abbey Research Network (October 2014) ⏐ A New Regional Research Cluster (October 2014)
Helen Birkett is Senior Lecturer in Medieval History at Exeter, and has served as Director of the Centre for Medieval Studies. On the blog, she has written pieces around a number of her research projects, including the concept of ‘news’ in the Middle Ages.
Spotlight: Saints, Demons, and Medieval Gender (August 2024)
Verity Bruce’s doctoral research focuses on saints, demons, and non-binary gender identities in the 13th century. She is also the current Postgraduate Representative on the committee of the Centre for Medieval Studies, and contributed the first instalment of the blog’s ongoing ‘Spotlight’ series.
On Tour with the Normans: Four Unmissable Sites in Sicily (September 2017) ⏐ Self-Defenestration, Squatting, and Structural Stress: St. Nicholas’ Priory, Exeter (June 2016) ⏐ ‘Feeling Ready to Kill Some Saxons!’ (October 2016)
Thomas Chadwick completed his PhD at Exeter in 2017, focusing on notions of Norman ethnic identity. Since then, he has researched and taught at Exeter and the Institut für Mittelalterforschung, Austria.
Honouring Nicholas Orme (August 2023) ⏐ The Other Women of the Coronation (May 2023) ⏐ Mothers and Daughters: A Snapshot from Early Tudor England (December 2022) ⏐ A Feast-Day Fit for a King? (June 2022) ⏐ Saxon Saints in Late Medieval Somerset (March 2022) ⏐ The Upside of Virtual Research (September 2021) ⏐ Study Abroad Before Erasmus (December 2020) ⏐ The Ghosts of King John (October 2020) ⏐ Rebel Canons in the Lincoln Registers (September 2020) ⏐ The Field of the Cloth of Gold and the West Country (June 2020) ⏐ New Year’s Gifts (January 2020) ⏐ 750th Anniversary at Westminster Abbey (October 2019) ⏐ Grandisson 650 (July 2019) ⏐ River-Hunting with the History Channel (March 2019) ⏐ An Exeter Life of Thomas Becket (December 2018) ⏐ Medieval History on Screen: Consulting on White Princess (February 2018) ⏐ An Abbot Returns (December 2017) ⏐ A French Noblewoman Makes her Monastic Vows (April 2017) ⏐ Family History and the Cistercians in Devon (April 2017) ⏐ A Year of Reformation (January 2017) ⏐ Thomas Cromwell: a Man for our Seasons? (February 2015) ⏐ Books of Hours from the Medieval West Country (November 2014)
James Clark (Professor of History) has written for the blog since its inception. He works on the thought, history, and culture of the late medieval and early modern periods, and has also consulted on a number of television productions. His latest book is The Dissolution of the Monasteries: A New History (2022).
Announcing a New Project: Warhorse: The Archaeology of a Military Revolution? (February 2019) ⏐ Anarchy in the UK? (February 2017)
Oliver is Professor of Archaeology at Exeter; his research and teaching range across the landscape archaeology and culture of medieval Britain and Europe. He has been Principal Investigator on the WARHORSE project, which brings together colleagues in Exeter and East Anglia to offer the first comprehensive study of the archaeological evidence on horses in Britain between the late Saxon and early Tudor periods.
Widening Participation: Exploring the MEDIEVAL and Early Modern Worlds (May 2017)
Zoe’s doctoral research examines the perception and treatment of custom in the laws of late medieval Europe. Based in the University’s Law School, she has written for the blog on her experience working in an outreach context, contributing to open days and events for schools that aim to introduce students to the premodern world.
Forging the Past in Medieval Exeter (May 2019)
Jennie completed her PhD at York in 2018, after which she worked as a postdoctoral researcher on the ‘Forging Memory’ project with Prof. Levi Roach. While at Exeter, she wrote a post for the blog describing her experience curating an exhibition on medieval forgery at the Cathedral Library and Archives.
A field trip to Tintagel, Cornwall (November 2024) ⏐ Spotlight: Magic, Sex, and Merlin (November 2024) ⏐ Anne Lawrence-Mathers on Medieval Magic, Part 2 (October 2017) ⏐ Anne Lawrence-Mathers on Medieval Magic, Part 1 (October 2017)
Jennifer Farrell is Lecturer in Medieval History, and has taught across medieval social and cultural history (including gender, magic, and the history of medieval Paris). Most recently, she has published on Marie de France’s Lais, as well as Geoffrey of Monmouth and the Prophecies of Merlin tradition (in History Today).
Exeter’s Hotel Fire and Historians: A Different Kind of Impact (November 2016)
Todd Gray MBE is one of the pre-eminent historians of Exeter. In 2016, he wrote for the blog in the wake of the fire at the Royal Clarence Hotel, which saw him undertaking a vast amount of media work. He has published 14 books, most recently Voices of the Empire in Exeter (2023).
Don’t panic! Your sure-fire guide to reading a medieval manuscript (May 2024) ⏐ Meeting a Medieval Manuscript (May 2024) ⏐ In Conversation with Conrad Leyser on Medieval Church Reform (January 2018) ⏐ What’s the Use of Cursing? (May 2017) ⏐ Using the Past to Negotiate a Time of Change: A Medieval Perspective (October 2016)
Sarah Hamilton is Professor of Medieval History at Exeter. Her work focuses on the religious, social and cultural history of medieval Europe between c. 900 and c. 1200, reflected in her writing for the blog. Her most recent book is Understanding the Medieval Liturgy: Essays in Interpretation, co-edited with Helen Gittos.
Scribes for the Day: A Hands-On Workshop (October 2024) ⏐ Forensic Fun in Cambridge (July 2024) ⏐ Emma Cayley: merci et à bientôt ! (January 2020)
Thomas Hinton is Associate Professor of French Language and Literature at Exeter. He has published on the troubadours and Occitan lyric, and (more recently) on the French of medieval Britain, with a focus on Walter de Bibbesworth’s Tretiz. He is currently Principal Investigator on the UKRI-funded ‘Learning Anglo-French’ project, which is building the first database of French language-learning material in Britain between c. 1200 and c. 1500.
Glastonbury-bound (November 2024)
Rowenna Langley is completing an MA in History at the University of Exeter. On the blog, she has written about her visits to local sites in the Devon area.
Spotlight: ‘Democracy of the dead’ (December 2024) ⏐ Podcast on the Albigensian Crusade (March 2021) ⏐ A New Charter from the Fourth Crusade (April 2020) ⏐ Noblesse Oblige: Call for Papers (November 2019)
Gregory’s research focuses on the aristocratic and noble cultures of medieval Europe, particularly France and the Mediterranean. His writing for the blog has shared a variety of research findings and outputs, including on the Albigensian Crusade and a newly-discovered charter from Acre.
Mediterranean Saints in Early Medieval Rome (February 2017)
Maya Maskarinec is now based at USC Dornsife, and is a specialist in the connections between the late Antique and early medieval worlds. Her writing for the Centre’s blog examined the reputations of saints ‘from abroad’ in Rome between the 6th and 9th centuries.
‘Frenemies’: the 2024 Simon Barton Lecture (December 2024) ⏐ Manuscripts, Safari Parks, and the Caswell Test (November 2024) ⏐ Three Upcoming Events from Outside the Centre (October 2024) ⏐ Ten Gems from the Past Decade: Part Two (October 2024) ⏐ Ten Gems from the Past Decade: Part One (October 2024) ⏐ Welcome Back to the Centre for Medieval Studies! (September 2024) ⏐ Writing Medieval French for Netflix (September 2024) ⏐ Generative AI and Medieval French Poetry: A Story in Three Parts (June 2024) ⏐ Visiting Devon Heritage Centre (March 2024) ⏐ Season’s Greetings from the Medieval French Reading Group! (December 2023) ⏐ On Yolanda Plumley’s Retirement (October 2023) ⏐ Medieval Books and Harry Potter (November 2020) ⏐ Learning French in Medieval England: The Encoding Begins (October 2020) ⏐ Learning French in Medieval England: The First Three Months (April 2020) ⏐ Announcing ‘Learning French in Medieval England’ (February 2020) ⏐ Saintly Monarchs and Cities of Strangers at the Annual ‘Orme Day’ (March 2019) ⏐ An Interview with Rachel Rose Reid, Part Two (October 2018) ⏐ An Interview with Rachel Rose Reid, Part One (October 2018) ⏐ Courtesy Books and Cambridge College Libraries (March 2018) ⏐ The Feast of Orme (April 2017) ⏐ Mapping the Troubadours (March 2017) ⏐ ‘Ugly’ Manuscripts: MS Douce 210, Oxford (January 2017)
Edward is Postdoctoral Research Fellow on the ‘Learning Anglo-French’ project, having previously worked as Lecturer in Medieval Studies and Lecturer in French at Exeter. His doctoral research examined attitudes towards didacticism in three teaching traditions from the French of medieval England. He currently manages the Centre’s blog.
Building your CV, One Castle at a Time (August 2017) ⏐ Enter the World’s Largest Photo Competition! (August 2017)
Richard is an Honorary Research Fellow at Exeter. His research (building on his PhD, awarded in 2018) centres around the archaeology of medieval castles, and particularly on the phenomenon of ‘slighting’ (deliberate destruction of castles). Since completing his PhD, he has worked for English Heritage and presented to the Royal Archaeological Institute.
Pregnancy Advice from Medieval Preachers (April 2020) ⏐ Starting an Inquisition Database Project (October 2019) ⏐ The Routledge History of Medieval Magic: Reflections on a Big Editing Project (February 2019) ⏐ Two Exeter Books Shortlisted for 2019 Current Archaeology Awards (January 2019) ⏐15th Century Conference 2019 (January 2019) ⏐ Welcome to a New Academic Year of Medieval Studies! (September 2018) ⏐ More Leeds Sessions: Fertility and Infertility (August 2018) ⏐ Researching with the Exeter Cathedral Library and Archives: Making a Student’s Guide (July 2018) ⏐ Sharing Medieval Research with the Community (March 2018) ⏐ Talking About Gender and Healthcare in Cologne (February 2018) ⏐ In Memory of Simon Barton, 1966-2017 (January 2018) ⏐ More Magical Activities in Malta (November 2017) ⏐ The Devon and Exeter Institution and its Medieval Resources (September 2017) ⏐ The Ecclesiastical History Society Conference 2017 (July 2017) ⏐ An Afternoon Talking about Medieval and Renaissance Parishes (July 2017) ⏐ Digital Resources for Medieval Research and Teaching (May 2017) ⏐ A New Book on Demons and Illness (March 2017) ⏐Thinking About Medieval Infertility (January 2017) ⏐ Malta’s Magic Hat (February 2015) ⏐ Test your Knowledge of the Middle Ages (November 2014)
As a longstanding Director of the Centre, Catherine Rider has contributed a great many posts to the blog over the years. She has written several pieces for the blog informed by her research focuses, which include medieval fertility and infertility as well as magic.
New Book on Orderic Vitalis (October 2016)
Dan Roach completed his PhD in Exeter in 2014, which offered a fresh examination of the work of the 11th-century chronicler, Orderic Vitalis (1075 – c. 1142). He has since co-edited the volume Orderic Vitalis: Life, Works and Interpretations, which he has discussed in his post for the blog.
Social Media for Students and Scholars (May 2020) ⏐ Thietmar of Mersebury: Archforger or Anachronist? (March 2020) ⏐ K’Zoo and Leeds Forgery Sessions (July 2018) ⏐ Erasing the Past in Medieval Worms? (March 2018) ⏐ Forgery Comes to Exeter! (July 2017) ⏐ After Empire: Revisiting Europe’s Iron Age (June 2017) ⏐ Rendering Unto Caesar … Tithes and Lordship in the Middle Ages (February 2017) ⏐ Writing a Biography of William the Conqueror (November 2016)
Levi’s work (as Professor of History at Exeter) explores feudal institutions between c. 800 and c. 1200. He has also published a popular volume, Empires of the Normans: Makers of Europe, Conquerors of Asia, as well as a biography of Æthelred the Unready.
Video Game Medievalism Part II: Looking Ahead (November 2016) ⏐ Video Game Medievalism Part I: 2016 in Review (October 2016)
Ciaran Stoker is based in the Education and Student Support team at Exeter, working closely with students on wellbeing support, compassionate communications, and music provision. He completed a Master’s degree in Medieval Studies in 2016, and has written for the blog on medievalism in video games.
Exploring Late Medieval Links Across the Sea at Exeter (September 2019)
Shelia is Lecturer in Medieval and Early Modern Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University, where her research explores late medieval and early Tudor urban society. She wrote for the blog in 2019 in the wake of the Fifteenth Century Conference, held in Exeter the same year.
Faith and the Fall of Muslim Granada: The Interpreter’s Tale (February 2015)
Teresa Ainsley received her PhD from Exeter in 2019; since then, she has published prolifically on various aspects of premodern Iberian culture, literature, and thought. Her first monograph, Reconciliation and Resistance in Early Modern Spain: Hernando de Baeza and the Catholic Monarchs, appeared in 2023.
A Visit to Kirkham House, Paignton (September 2024) ⏐ A Visit to Salisbury Cathedral (May 2024)
Philip’s PhD (completed at Exeter) offered the first edition of John Trevisa’s Middle English translation of the Gospel of Nicodemus. He contributes extensively to the life of the Centre, and is the Centre’s oracle on lesser-known sites of medieval interest in the south-west.
Arabic in the Archives: Keeping Up With the Canons of Medieval Toledo (February 2017)
Since receiving her PhD from Exeter in 2019, Teresa Whitcombe has worked in Madrid (funded by a Leverhulme Trust award) and, more recently, as a British Academy Postdoctoral fellow at St. John’s College, Oxford. Her work covers the religious, cultural, and intellectual history of medieval Iberia.
Narrative, Piety and Polemic in Medieval Spain (June 2024) ⏐ Movement and Mobility in the Medieval Mediterranean (September 2019) ⏐ ¡Adiós y buen viaje, Simon! (December 2016)
An Honorary Research Fellow in the Centre, Alun received his PhD from Exeter on chronicle-writing in the 11th, 12th, and 13th centuries across Iberia. He has published several posts for the blog, on both his research and the legacy of Simon Barton to the Centre as a whole.
Gender, Emotion, and a prize-winning Conference (October 2016)
Laura Kalas is now based at Swansea University, where she has worked since receiving her PhD from Exeter. Her first monograph, Margery Kempe’s Spiritual Medicine: Suffering, Transformation and the Life Course (based on her PhD), appeared in 2020 with D. S. Brewer.