This article is a written version of our Christmas podcast, broadcast on CEU Medieval Radio on December 24th and 25th of 2019. The article provides background information on the study of medieval music in Hungary, medieval Christmas liturgy and introduces an album, produced in Hungary in 1978 featuring Late Medieval plainchant, and a short description of each song and their role in the religious celebrations.
Category: Medieval Radio Blog
Was the Fictional Character Sir Lancelot Inspired by King Ladislaus I of Hungary?
In brief: Yes, he was. But if you are also interested in how and why certain mythical episodes of the eleventh-century Hungarian King's life seeped into the Arthurian legends, read Stephen Pow's latest article about Lancelot and Ladislaus (László) in the latest issue of CEU's Annual of Medieval Studies (2018).
Anne Boleyn, we long for to see you!
A possible portrait of Anne Boleyn was identified using facial recognition software of all things. Up until now there is no portrait of her except that on a battered bronze disk. After her execution, Big Brother Henry made her an unperson so her portraits disappeared pretty quickly. The medal survived by chance, perhaps because it… Continue reading Anne Boleyn, we long for to see you!
Just how Anglo-Saxon are the English? 38%!
Very exciting article published recently: http://www.medievalists.net/2016/01/19/dna-study-reveals-the-english-are-one-third-anglo-saxon/ The topic of just how much the Anglo-Saxon immigration affected modern British genetics has been a hotly contested one, ever since Merlin pegged the Anglo-Saxon ancestry of England at about 90%. Recent genetic studies looked at the modern population of Britain's DNA and suggested all kinds of things. Some… Continue reading Just how Anglo-Saxon are the English? 38%!
A Scottish Castle Teeters on the Brink of Oblivion
In the words of Percy Bysshe Shelly: "Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair." Abergeldie Castle in Scotland, dating from the 16th century and situated close to the royal residence of Balmoral, is facing destruction after the bank of the Dee river gave way. Now frantic work is underway to stop the erosion and… Continue reading A Scottish Castle Teeters on the Brink of Oblivion
Medieval potions help fight dangerous bacteria
People used to laugh at medieval medical practices, and they still do from time to time. Especially we tend to laugh when we read of medieval doctors bleeding people, or talking about the 4 humours and vital spirits. We also laugh at the popular idea that witches caused illness, when in fact we know now… Continue reading Medieval potions help fight dangerous bacteria
Travelling – the Medieval Way
Dearest listeners and voyeurs, CEU Medieval Radio wishes all of you a most salubrious 2016, full of good happenings! The year ended on a happy note for a former physics teacher, cum medieval pilgrim, Steven Payne who walked the medieval pilgrim's route from Southampton to Canterbury this month. He completed the journey, arriving in Canterbury… Continue reading Travelling – the Medieval Way
Reconstruction of the Medieval Crown of Bulgarian Monarchs
Good news to all of our listeners who deplore the loss of the medieval crown of Bulgaria's kings! Recently the crown of Bulgaria's medieval kings was reconstructed and is now being exhibited in Sofia's National History Museum http://www.novinite.com/articles/172367/Museum+Exhibits+Replica+of+Crown+Worn+by+Medieval+Bulgarian+Rulers Check the link! The crown was created for kings of the second Bulgarian dynasty around 1200. Bulgaria's… Continue reading Reconstruction of the Medieval Crown of Bulgarian Monarchs
Elves – can we really trust them?
Nowadays everyone has a positive association with elves... That sounds weird, but what I mean to say is that people like elves. They think of them as handsome Orlando Bloom types with pointy ears, long flowing hair, and of course they are pretty good with a bow and arrow. Or, more significantly at this time… Continue reading Elves – can we really trust them?
Statues of wild men: the medieval equivalent of some popular figurine of modern times?
Recently a medieval treasure was unearthed in England. It's a figurine of a wild man, brandishing a club and a set of powerful beard hairs. Check the link: http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-suffolk-35050026 What is strange is that such figurines were common in the Middle Ages if the art historians and archaeologists can be believed. A very common… Continue reading Statues of wild men: the medieval equivalent of some popular figurine of modern times?
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