History and Literature: Three Medieval Views

Feminist Approaches to Medieval Spanish History and Literature

Although many of Spain's earliest poetic texts give expression to a female voice, 1 it is not until the fifteenth century that Spain's first female authors are documented.2 It is perhaps for this reason that gender-conscious studies of medieval Spain have been so scarce in relation to those concerning other parts of Europe. Researchers with a feminist perspective have had to limit their investi...

The Case History in Medieval Islamic Medical Literature: Tajārib and Mujarrabāt as Source

Knowledge of medieval Islamic medical practice has traditionally been based on the analysis of learned treatises. However, a comparison of the therapeutic advice advocated in formal treatises with treatments prescribed to patients has shown that the appeal to theory was to a large extent neglected in practice and, therefore, that theoretical works are not a reliable account of reality. From thi...

Epistolary Documents in High-Medieval History- Writing

Three individuals, three stories, three burials from medieval Trondheim, Norway

This article presents the life stories of three individuals who lived in Trondheim, Norway, during the 13th century. Based on skeletal examinations, facial reconstructions, genetic analyses, and stable oxygen isotope analyses, the birthplace, mobility, ancestry, pathology, and physical appearance of these people are presented. The stories are discussed within the relevant historical context. Th...

Book Review: "Loving Literature. A Cultural History"

It is widely acknowledged that emotion is deeply embedded in literary criticism. Even when we aspire to scientific analysis and objectivity, we assume that we share a love of literature. Loving Literature is a deep and fascinating exploration of this important assumption. Literary critics and professors of literature are expected not only to know but also to love their work. In the case of prof...