Once and Future Things

My name's Meghan, and I'm an aspiring historian (aka college student) exploring my love of all things Medieval.

[froginakettle]

They got a bunch of girls drunk and then surprise them with puppies. One of them started literally crying.

This is the best prank ever

[evawrites]

“I should not drink whiskey; I can’t protect them.”

[onceandfuturething]

I wouldn’t even need to drink to cry about this.

[onceandfuturething]

A small English statue from ca. 1350-1450. Some people have guessed that, because of the cross on the shield, the man depicted may be Saint George. The armor on the statue is an accurate representation of armor at the time, although only men from the nobility or knightly classes would have been able to afford such high-quality armor. The British Museum website has a fantastic and detailed description of each piece of armor the statue is wearing if you'd like to find out more: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe/s/statue_of_a_knight.aspx

[onceandfuturething]

The Fuller Brooch, from 9th century England. The brooch is the earliest known personification of the 5 senses. Sight, which was thought to be the most important of the senses, is in the center, surrounded by the other 4. Each sense can be identified by their actions. Taste has his hand in his mouth, Hearing´s hand is by his ear, Touch is rubbing his hands together, and Smell has his hands behind his back and is standing between two plants. The brooch is in such good condition that it was once though to be a fake.

[mediumaevum]

Planispheric astrolabe

Spanish (Barcelona), Medieval (Gothic), 1375

Gilded brass

high-res front

high-res back

[onceandfuturething]

An Ostrogothic belt buckle from the 6th century. This would have been worn by a woman of high status who was probably dressing in more of a Mediterranean fashion. The large central garnet is surrounded by cloisonné garnets and green glass in a mosaic pattern. I think we should bring cloisonné back in style.

[aleyma]

[onceandfuturething]

Bust of the Virgin, made in Bohemia, c.1390-95 (source).

[onceandfuturething]

A gemellion, or hand basin, from ca. 1250-1275. It's made of copper and enamel and is decorated with a knight on horseback in the center.

[onceandfuturething]

A stained glass panel from c. 1325, from the abbey church of Saint Ouen in Rouen, France.

[onceandfuturething]

An alabaster statue of a kneeling angel, from c. 1430-40. The statue was made in Burgundy and stands at only 14.5 inches high. The angel was originally part of a collection made by a group of anonymous sculptors that depicted either the Annunciation or Christ as the Man of Sorrows.

[jothelibrarian]

Pretty medieval manuscript of the day is the Black Hours, one of a very few manuscripts on vellum that is dyed black. This image is of folios 18v and 19r shows Whitsun (also known as Pentecost).

For a digital exhibition, take a look at the Pierpont Morgan library website.

Image source: Free Christ Images website, and licensed for re-use with attribution.

[onceandfuturething]

A Spanish capital from 1175-2000. It shows Samson, complete with his long hair, fighting a lion with one of his attendants next to him. This capital and another accompanying it likely supported a principal arch at the entrance to the choir of a church.

On a related note (related because the capital is from Spain!) I'm heading to Spain for a semester starting in January. I'd love any suggestions for cool Medieval things to see, whether it's a museum, an old cathedral somewhere, or some ruins. I'm planning on doing some traveling too, so let me know if there are any great places in Europe I should add to my ever-growing list of places to see. Thanks a bunch!

[onceandfuturething]

A folding boxwood comb from c. 1500. I think it's super cool, although I have no idea why having four folding sides would be necessary. You could brush multiple people's heads at once? Any other ideas?

[onceandfuturething]

Seriously, she couldn't come up with a better name for her son? If she hadn't ended up forced into a nunnery, she could have given birth to Telescope and Compass as well.

[onceandfuturething]

Hello followers! I was really impressed with all of your knowledge when I had a question about an artifact, so I thought I'd throw out an invitation for information about any cool medieval-type things! Got a favorite historical figure, text, story, whatever? I'm procrastinating for finals, and I'd love to hear about it!

[medievalhistorianryangosling]

[onceandfuturething]

I'm doing a research paper on Heloise and Abelard right now, and this blog is a combination of so many wonderful things.

[mediumaevum]

The so-called “Dalmatic of Charlemagne”. Eleventh century. Gift of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Isidore of Kiev (1439) to Pope Eugene IV (1431-1447)

The only medieval liturgical vestment kept in the Treasury of St Peter’s is this dalmatic. It is a masterpiece of the art of embroidery practiced in Constantinople during the eleventh century. It is not known how the legend grew that it was worn by Charlemagne for his coronation as Emperor in 800 AD. It is made entirely in embroidery with gold, silver and colored thread on blue silk with scenes from the Byzantine iconography of the ninth and tenth centuries.

[funeral-wreath]