The Goliardic Society

This blog is the official presence of the Goliardic Society of Western Michigan University on Tumblr. https://linktr.ee/goliardicsociety

[goliardicsociety]

Salve, hei, ὑγίαινε, and wēs hāl!

Who are we? We're the Goliards, a collection of graduate students at Western Michigan University focusing on medieval history (500-1500 CE).

What do we do? As graduate students, we are experts-in-training! Our specialties within medieval history include: - Ancient languages (Latin, Old Norse, Old English, Old French) - Art and literature - Religion and mythology - Philosophy

What is ICMS? The International Congress on Medieval Studies is an annual conference held in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The conference is open to academics and independent scholars from all over the world and hosts panels on dozens of subjects. The 61st conference is scheduled for May 14th-16th, 2026 - come see us!

I have a burning question about medieval history! Send us an ask! If someone knows the answer, we'll give it to you!

Our tags: #goliard highlights - The cool things we found. Come here for all things medieval studies! #goliard happenings - See here for what we're up to throughout the year! #holidays - When they come up, we like to observe medieval holidays. If you're curious about how people of the past celebrated, check this out!

[goliardicsociety]

ICMS starts in two days, and we the Goliards are so excited to get started! We have some great merch - so if you're coming, please give us a hello!

Do you enjoy the humours? Mélusine? The BURGHER CAT?!

Maybe you're into living, laughing, and loving in ancient languages?

Or you're a ferocious rabbit with a medieval weapon?

We have it all (plus some overstock from years past) - come visit!!

[goliardicsociety]

Goliardic Alumni!

If you find yourself at ICMS this year, please come join us for the second annual Goliards and Alumni gathering, held Friday, 5/15 at 8:30 pm, at Hou Jia Kitchen and Bar in the Student Center!  Appetizers and dragon pins will be provided. Register here: https://events.blackthorn.io/1I1VGoT7/4a6oRQG9If 

[goliardicsociety]

Honestly? Still can't look at this one without laughing

We're selling the Burgher Cat as a magnet at the 61st International Congress on Medieval Studies! Come visit us in Kalamazoo!

[goliardicsociety]

For whom do YOU fight?

The illustrious Papa

The nefarious Malum

Voting ended onMay 2

See them duke it out at the 61st International Congress on Medieval Studies!

We'll be selling this design as posters and T-shirts EXCLUSIVELY at the Congress - so scholars, please come visit us!

[invizigothx]

first rule of Cite Club: tell everyone where you learned about Cite Club

[playwrongs]

invizigothx. (2026, January 30). first rule of Cite Club: tell everyone where you learned about Cite Club [Text post]. Tumblr. https://www.tumblr.com/invizigothx/807189844216446977/first-rule-of-cite-club-tell-everyone-where-you?source=share

[amynchan]

invizigothx. "First Rule of Cite Club: Tell Everyone Where You Learned About Cite Club." tumblr. 30 January 2026. https://www.tumblr.com/invizigothx/807189844216446977/first-rule-of-cite-club-tell-everyone-where-you?source=share

[goliardicsociety]

invizigothx. "First Rule of Cite Club: Tell Everyone Where You Learned About Cite Club," Tumblr, last modified January 30 2026. https://www.tumblr.com/invizigothx/807189844216446977/first-rule-of-cite-club-tell-everyone-where-you.

[goliardicsociety]

In the midst of the bleak Midwestern midwinter, the Goliardic Society gathered for a blind book exchange! As it turns out, people who read more than they breathe have great taste in books. We're all excited to get started on our new literary journeys! Our books for the year: "The Silmarillion" by J.R.R. Tolkien "Built to Last: The How and Why Behind Buildings" by David Macauly "The Last Kingdom" by Bernard Cornwell "The Bewitching" by Silvia Moreno-Garcia "The Medieval Calendar Year" by Bridget Ann Henisch

Let's get started! 📚

[goliardicsociety]

Friends, we leave you now for a break to give thanks. We'll be braving the winter winds as we journey to our friends and families afar - or stay in Michigan!

See you on the other side - vale!

[goliardicsociety]

There IS a right answer, and it IS the sallet

[goliardicsociety]

In the chilliness of Kalamazoo's first snowfall of the season, the Goliards gathered for hot drinks, great company, and a pumpkin (and turnip!) carving party! We're so glad everyone braved the cold for this - it was worth it for such a great group of gourds! 🎃

[goliardicsociety]

WMU history students, we call on you to attend the 2025 Loew Lecture!

Our university will be hosting Dr. Nicholas Paul of Fordham University as he presents "What a Cross is Worth: Crusaders, Relics, and Status Between the Middle Ages and the Modern World." Please drop by on Thursday, November 6, from 3-4 PM in Dunbar Hall, Room 2101!

[goliardicsociety]

A day late, anon, you get -

Kiss of Judas, 16th century German, on view at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 16.32.288

[goliardicsociety]

Many people are familiar with Halloween traditions of dressing up, trick-or-treating, and carving pumpkins. However, did you know that a lot of these traditions are associated with a much older ancient pagan festival called Samhain (pronounced Sow-un)? Samhain is a centuries old celebration marking the end of summer and the start of winter.

Throughout the years many customs became associated with Samhain. One such custom includes dressing up in disguises, an act known as guising, and going door to door to play pranks. It was a time of the year wherein all manner of supernatural forces were afoot and ghostly abductions were common. Additionally, instead of pumpkins, it was popular to carve turnips into scary lanterns to place in the windowsill of homes.

For more information visit: https://www.museum.ie/en-IE/News/2023/Ghost-turnips,-pucas,-fortune-telling-and-evil-abd

Image by Rannpháirtí anaithnid at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7788068

[goliardicsociety]

Happy 540 years of conquering England with mama ❤️

[honeydewbaby08]

[goliardicsociety]

We are pretty firmly in the "yikes" part of the semester, I fear

[anxietyproblem]

[goliardicsociety]

If no jester stands before me, I SHALL NOT EAT!

[hometoursandotherstuff]

[goliardicsociety]

He's gonna teach the dragon to fetch the newspaper and bring him ale