Friday, August 22, 2008

Studies in Medieval and Renaissance History - two new volumes


Studies in Medieval and Renaissance History is a journal published by AMS Press in New York. It covers history of any theme during the chronological period 400–1700. Although it comes from a smaller publisher and has no online version, this journal has put consistently good volumes for the last thirty years.

The medieval contents of the two newest issues are:

Volume 4, Third Series

Jonathan Couser, “A Usable Past: Early Bavarian Hagiography in Context”

Analyzes three saints' lives composed in eight-century Bavaria to show its role in the development of a political identity for that region.

Cynthia J. Neville and R. Andrew McDonald, “Knights and Knighthood in Gaelic Scotland, c.1050–1300”

Examines how the concepts of knighthood and chivalry were embraced by both the newly settled aristocracy in Scotland and the Gaelic-speaking native lords.

Anne J. Duggan, “The Making of a Myth: Giraldus Cambrensis, Laudibiliter, and Henry II’s Lordship of Ireland”

Examines the role Gerald of Wales played in modifying and distorting the bull by Pope Adrian IV, which was used as justification by Henry II to invade Ireland.

Brenda Deen Schildgen, “Middle Eastern Apocalyptic Traditions in Dante’s La Divinia Commedia and Mohammed’s Mi'raj or Night Journey”

Examines the relationship of Dante's work and Muhammed's Night Journey. Translations of the latter's account likely were circulating during Dante's time, and may have influenced parts of his writing.

Rachel Fulton, “Praying by Numbers”

Examines late medieval devotion practices such as the numbering of Christ's wounds or the recitation of the 150 Ave Marias of the rosary.


Volume 5, Third Series

Eric Gerald Stanley, “Judgment Day: Hopes, Joys, and Sorrows in Medieval England”

Examines how Old and Middle English writers viewed the concepts of hope, joy and sorrow, and how these feelings were not seen as constants.

Elaine M. Beretz, “Beauvais Romanesque and Suger’s Workshop at Saint-Denis: Creative Appropriation and Regional Identity”

Examines the artistic development in Beauvais after 1140.

Ralph Hanna, “Lambeth Palace Library, MS 260 and the Problem of English Vernacularity”

Look at English usage in the period 1150-1400.

Robin S. Oggins, “Game in the Medieval English Diet”

The article addresses the questions of who are game in medieval England, when they ate it, and what kinds of game they ate.

Brantley L. Bryant, “Talking with the Taxman about Poetry: England’s Economy in ‘Against the King’s Taxes’ and Wynnere and Wastoure”

Drawing on parliamentary histroy and the evidence of two poems, this essay examines contrasting attitudes toward national economics in mid-14th century England.