Women in Medievalism

Being the study, interpretation, or application of the Middle Ages after the medieval period, the sub-discipline of medievalism exists at the intersection of multiple fields, including literature, history, religious studies, art history, linguistics, and others. It spans a period of over five hundred years, and includes a wealth of genres, materials, and approaches: the art of gothic cathedrals, the cautious linguistic scholarship of New Philology, and the exuberant creativity of novels and plays set during the Middle Ages all fall under the remit of medievalism.

This conference aims to focus on the intersection of women and the field of medievalism; both in how medievalist women have shaped and impacted the field, and how medievalism as a discipline has imagined and treated its depictions and interpretations of medieval women. Prominent figures within the discipline have recognised the importance of medievalism to various social, religious, and political movements (Chandler 1971, Simmons 1990, Matthews 2015). While masculinity and the depictions of male medieval figures are common areas of interest to scholars of medievalism, less attention has been given to women. Recent scholarship into women’s contributions to and interest in medievalism and the Middle Ages (Kennedy, Margolis, and Fitzgerald 2019; Collette 2021; LaVerre 2023; Boyle 2023) have highlighted the vast potential for further research.

This conference aims to celebrate the interdisciplinary, varied approaches to medievalism and post-medieval receptions of the Middle Ages, and in particular the role of women in these fields. We look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions, fostering interdisciplinary connections, and gaining new insights into the rich tapestry of women’s experiences in the medieval world. Join us in uncovering and celebrating the diverse stories that contribute to our understanding of women and medievalism.

This conference is organised through a collaboration between the University of York and the University of Copenhagen. This one-day conference will be hosted at the King’s Manor at the University of York, which is uniquely suited as a living medievalist environment; an excellent example of the medieval as it co-exists with the present. We are pleased to host a keynote address by the distinguished scholar Clare A. Lees (Institute of English Studies, University of London).

Full Programme: WiM Programme (PDF , 382kb)