World’s medievalists flock to Leeds

Thousands of medieval enthusiasts have flocked to the University of Leeds for the largest humanities research conference in Europe, featuring fighting knights, music and rare works by JRR Tolkien

Bringing together over 2,600 international experts from more than 60 countries, the International Medieval Congress (IMC) highlights the latest research into the Middle Ages (300-1500 AD) from across academic disciplines.

30 years since the first-ever IMC, we are proud that the University of Leeds is still bringing together medievalists from all over the world to share new ideas and discoveries in medieval studies.

Organised by the University’s Institute for Medieval Studies, the IMC features academic papers on subjects ranging from geography to modern gaming and genetics.

This year’s theme explored the resilience of humans in bouncing back from crises like wars and the Black Death pandemic, and what we can learn from this in the present day.

But the IMC is not just for academics – it welcomes the public onto campus to experience a glimpse of medieval life with combat displays, music, falconry, craft activities, public lectures and more, as part of Making Leeds Medieval festival, which took place on Thursday 4 July.

The IMC is all about bringing people together to share their enthusiasm for all aspects of the medieval period. Whether that be through the action in the combat arena or our craft exhibitors creating unique medieval-inspired items, Making Leeds Medieval is a great opportunity for everyone to come along and discover something about medieval times that interests them. 30 years since the first-ever IMC, we are proud that the University of Leeds is still bringing together medievalists from all over the world to share new ideas and discoveries in medieval studies.

Bringing some medieval drama to campus, the programme included a combat arena with a display of arms and armour from the 15th Century, and reenactments of medieval duelling by company 3 Swords.

Two men re-enact a fight with medieval weaponry and armour

Drop-in sessions at the Treasures of the Brotherton Gallery offered the opportunity to see up close rare works by Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien, who was a Professor in the University’s English Department for five years before he moved to Oxford University in 1925.

The IMC, which started 30 years ago in 1994, is an important part of the University’s history as a world-leading centre for medieval studies – a reputation that Tolkien helped to establish with his specialism in Old Icelandic language and literature.

Another highlight was the presence of Eran ud Turan, a living history group working on the culture and history of the Sogdians – a Central Asian Civilisation in what is now Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. 

Strolling medieval minstrels Trouvere also added to the fantastical atmosphere among the craft markets, book sales and historical experts. 

Katherine Blaney, an independent scholar, said:

“I’ve been coming to the conference for many years. It’s such a good conference because the range of history it covers is incredible, you get to hear strange new ideas and you meet so many people from across the world in so many different specialisms, including whose work you have already read. Over the years you also make friends. The first year I came, I didn’t know anybody. But now I spend a lot of time meeting up with people for coffee, socialising and catching up with their professional and personal news. So, it’s a really great occasion both on the scholarship front but also for meeting people.”

Philip, a visiting delegate, said:

“I first came up in 2018 and have been a few times since. This is one of those really big conferences where if you have lots of friends scattered around the world, it’s a good excuse to meet them and socialise as well as do academic work. The programme for this year is very interesting. We’ve had some really intellectually stimulating papers. But my favourite bit is today [Making Leeds Medieval]. I work in medieval literature – so lots of books, often quite stuffy –but to be perfectly honest most medievalists at some point just want to watch two men in armour bash each other over the head. That’s why a lot of us got into this to begin with!”

 

Further information 

For media enquiries, please email University of Leeds Press Officer Mia Saunders on m.saunders@leeds.ac.uk. 

Top image: Medieval duel reenactors from 3 Swords.