Medieval History and Reptiles

[twasadark]

Do I have any Medievalists on my flist?  I need to ask some very dumb questions regarding basic Medieval literature for a book project I'm working on. 

Also, my turtle appeared again today!  I haven't seen her for a good 3 months and I was beginning to fear that she had managed to crawl out of her fenced in pond area and was killed by one of my dogs, so I'm happy that this is not the case! 

Comments

[cantarina]

If you don't find anyone, I have friends I can pass your questions them along to :) I'm sure that they'd be happy to help.

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the offer! That's so sweet of you! I think I'm good with irreparable's help, though.

LOL about your icon. Bobby rules!

[betareject.livejournal.com]

While I'm not with the program medieval literature wise I do have a friend who has their MA on that very subject. I can put you in touch with them if you are unable to find anyone else to answer your questions...

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much for the offer! I think I'm good with irreparable's help, though. It's always good to have options, though!

[irreparable.livejournal.com]

Yup. Have a degree in medieval history, have had articles published in academic journals related to same and have been a medieval reenactor for 15 years. :) Hit me with your questions, bb. :D

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

AWESOME!!! I totally hit the jackpot with you! Here's the deal - I'm writing a book on the history of graveyards in the Middle Ages - just turned the first chapter in to the publisher today, and I want to get a jump start on the next one asap. I know how to find all the scholarly books and journal articles on my own when it comes to history, but since the Middle Ages isn't my area of expertise, I'm seriously lacking when it comes to literature and primary sources. For instance, in the first chapter I focused on 300 - 500 AD in Rome (mainly the Catacombs) and I was able to use St. Augustine's writings and Gregory of Tours's histories to great effect as sources. These are pretty standard texts that anyone who knows anything about medieval history knows about. I'm basically looking for more of these as I progress through the Middle Ages. My time period is 300 AD through 1200 AD.

My next chapter will focus on Anglo Saxon burial sites and Merovingian sites, so any primary sources or literature you can think of from around 400 - 700 AD that might include material about graves or tombs or death would be ideal. There's the Venerable Bede and Beowulf, but I'm not sure what else I should be looking at. Any ideas that you have are greatly appreciated!

[irreparable.livejournal.com]

Hm, righto. You're in luck, actually, there's been a recent Archeological find in Britain of an amazing burial site from the early medieval period (600-1000). A couple of links that might be of use to you:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/01/060131091935.htm
http://www.culture24.org.uk/history+%2526+heritage/archaeology/art26611
http://www.jpost.com/Home/Article.aspx?id=169405
The Staffordshire Hoard is the most recent find: http://www.staffordshirehoard.org.uk/ and is *amazing*.

The Maciejowski Bible would have a few ideas about burials:
http://www.medievaltymes.com/courtyard/maciejowski_bible.htm

I'd also suggest looking for medieval family Bibles - like the Maciejowski Bible, the illuminations give a lot of information about how people lived, worked and died. If you need anything else, let me know. :D

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

Wow! Thank you SO much! These will keep me busy for a while, definitely. Yay!!!

[pat-san.livejournal.com]

Just read this. Now I'm curious. What are you working at? And what is your expertise? Anyway this is a very particular subject so you have to be into some particular area of research too. You know, I'm taking my degree in Medieval Archaeology and it's a little strange to find out that someone you usually associate to fandom stuff is somehow in the same field you are, lol.

Anyhow good luck with your work! Keep me posted :P

[twasadark.livejournal.com]

Wow! Way cool! I'm a historian who's working on a book about medieval graveyards, of all things, lol. I find the subject fascinating, though. I'm on Anglo Saxon graveyards of the 5th through 8th centuries now. :-)

Are you located in Europe somewhere? You must be if your field is Medieval Archaeology ... how interesting!

[pat-san.livejournal.com]

I'm a historian who's working on a book about medieval graveyards, of all things, lol

Well, you never know what life will reserve you, lol.

But graveyards are a fascinating suject, indeed. I've never took part in necropolis researchs, but when I first visited the catacombs in Rome it was somehow exciting be there after having studied them in my book for so long, lol.

Are you located in Europe somewhere?

Yep, I'm italian. I'm studing late medieval pottery right now, for my final dissertation which will be probably discussed this summer.