A monk led us through the cathedral back outside. He was clothed in black robes and talked very softly. The cathedral was enormous, with beautiful artwork decorating every inch of wall,and it went up into a dome, making it appear more expansive. There were icons of Russian Orthodox saints with golden backgrounds everywhere. As we…
Beowulf: Reviving an Ancient Tradition by Matthew Pheneger
This school year has seen an increase of AMRS events on campus. The latest of these, a student led recitation of the Old English epic Beowulf, took place on a fittingly dreary March day and attracted a sizable crowd of professors, majors, minors, and the casually interested. This event marks the revival of the campus tradition…
Beowulf and Archaeology: Text and Material Culture by Joseph Acero
Beowulf is one of the earliest examples of English literature, and because of that evidence on its background can be hard to uncover. However, Professor Gale Owen-Crocker found a significant amount of information on the Anglo-Saxon culture surrounding Beowulf through the fashion and ornaments they made. Director of the Manchester Centre for Anglo-Saxon Studies, Professor…
Capstone Corner: Richard II and His Boyhood Troubles by Kyle Rabung
Richard II is a much maligned figure in history. Most people probably know him as one of two things, either as the tragic figure from Shakespeare’s play Richard II, or as the boy king of England. Historians instead know him as the tyrant figure who marks a turning point in political history. His death represents…
The Living and the Dead: Images of Death By Carrie Kubicki
When you think of the dead, what do you think of? Is it the image of lost souls sunken and decaying in the ground with little mementos of their lives? Perhaps it’s an image of an ancient pharaoh wrapped up and mummified, left to crumble in a sarcophagus surrounded by items for his next life?…
Why Study Early Modern Literature? by Shaun Russell
It is tempting to begin by writing “It all started in my Grade 12 literature class with Mr. Ames. . .” because there is a certainly some truth to that sentiment. As is likely the case for most of us, my first significant encounters with Shakespeare came in high school, whether it was acting in…
Travels of The Mongols: From Peace to Plague by Jordan Waterwash
The Mongols were a people that moved endlessly. Conquering came to them easily and quickly; they started their campaign in the 1200s, and took over most of the Eastern world by the 1300s. With this mass migration of people came trade, of cultures and of goods, through the Silk Road. But, unknown to the Mongols,…
A Close Look at the Ancient Javelin by Colin McGarry
Despite its ubiquity in ancient warfare, the javelin remains a poorly understood weapon, largely due to its constant linking with the spear. Despite the visual similarities, the javelin is more than just a spear in flight; rather, it’s a separate specialized weapon. The largest difference between the thrown, or cast, javelin and the held spear…
A Look into Historic Preservation in Ohio by Joseph Acero
As a Medieval Studies major and History minor, I am aware of how enjoyable and intriguing the various subjects of history truly are. Learning about the events that shape our world is like reading a great epic myth; it’s exciting and full of surprises. However, I know that learning how to use your major or…
Capstone Corner: An Examination of Medieval Fairies by Joseph Acero
As an English and Medieval Studies dual-major, I have a deep love of chivalry, mystery, and wonder; there’s no better place to find that than in medieval folk legends. Some of the best folklore and myths are ones where a char- acter is placed into a reality that is a refraction of our own, and…