The Medieval Beekeeper

[themedievalbeekeeper]

I've got questions. From the Isabella Psalter (1308).

Edited to add: It portrays a legend that tells of a panther that lured animals with its breath and then ate them. A perfectly wholesome tale for a twelve year old girl and explains much about the woman Isabella grew up to be.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

Does This Image From the Alphonso Psalter Depict Alphonso as David?

This detail from the Alphonso Psalter (1284) shows a young boy with wavy, light curls and a mischievous expression. Like a Medieval Bart Sim

It's unprovable, but I really want this image to not only represent a young King David but Alphonso, Earl of Chester (1274-1284) as King David.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

Robert Eggers and Fear of the Past

Robert Eggers makes terrifying, stylistic horror films set in the past. “Nosferatu,” (2024) “The Lighthouse” (2019) and “The Witch” (2015) a

In this blog post, I address the ersatz Middle English in the upcoming film and link to a terrific blog post that respects what the film is trying to do, even if the author recognizes that its not pure Middle English, especially not Chaucer's Middle English. It's long and worth reading. I have to put that in because people are being rather snooty about the film in a way that exhausts me.

I'm far more interested in Eggers's lack of any nostalgia or romanticism of the past. He evokes fear of it, especially the deep past. While this may be unfair at times, it works as horror in a way that I'm not sure any other filmmaker quite gets. Even Ingmar Bergman adds a little romanticism to The Seventh Seal.

That's far more interesting to me than any discussion of accuracy.

Also, the font created for the movie is glorious. I will die on that hill.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

Thoughts on the trailer for “The Uprising” (2026), a fictionalized movie about The Peasant’s Revolt of 1381

So, the trailer of this upcoming film has dropped, and I have some thoughts.  First, I am always delighted by any movie that takes place in

[themedievalbeekeeper]

This fictionalized version of The Peasant's Revolt looks interesting, despite going with the bleak, grey and ahistorical color palate that filmmakers think reads Middle Ages. I'd watch Andrew Garfield read the phonebook, and it looks like he's giving an epic performance as a Wat Tyler analog. Richard II is getting the full "Joffery" treatment as the villain.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

In which I address the idea the Edward II’s reputation was damaged by his status as a “sexual minority” 

Over on Reddit, a person asked a very good question about Edward II’s status as a “sexual minority” damaging his reputation as king. Here’s

I love questions like this because when you drill down, there's no easy answer and there's a long history of prejudice and misinformation to address. Edward himself would certainly not understand the question. I once spoke with one of his biographers, and she said his own understanding of his sexuality would be the thing she would like to hear from him most. I agree.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

A cute little donkey in the marginalia of the Isabella Psalter, which Edward II gave to his child bride in 1308. She was twelve at the time, and the manuscript is filled with cuteness.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

That Time Six Saracens Stayed At Dover Castle on Edward II’s Dime

A curious incident in May of 1313 occurred when Edward II, who was about to depart for France with Isabella, sent six saracens (aka Muslims)

I use the negative painting very specifically here, because even though it dates from more than a century later, it shows how saracens were seen during the Middle Ages. So, that makes Edward II treating a group of saracens with generosity very curious.

This is also one of those cases where I hold out hope that new information may come to light. *crosses fingers*

[themedievalbeekeeper]

Tomb of Lady Margaret Beaufort

Lady Margaret Beaufort (1443-1509) was the founding matriarch of the Tudor Dynasty, who lived to see her son become Henry VII and her grands

Practically by accident, I got a very nice shot of Margaret Beaufort's tomb.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

A close up of Edward II’s effigy at Gloucester Cathedral, which is thought to be a good likeness. It’s a lovely, ethereal gothic tomb, and it is just one of the many worthwhile sights at the cathedral.

Edward III and Richard II pushed for Edward II’s canonization, and the tomb was built with the idea of turning Gloucester into a second Canterbury. That didn’t happen, but it’s still a magical place.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

I thought that there was an eyelash on my screen, but it’s the famous graffiti.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

A close up of Edward II’s effigy at Gloucester Cathedral, which is thought to be a good likeness. It’s a lovely, ethereal gothic tomb, and it is just one of the many worthwhile sights at the cathedral.

Edward III and Richard II pushed for Edward II’s canonization, and the tomb was built with the idea of turning Gloucester into a second Canterbury. That didn’t happen, but it’s still a magical place.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

That Time Sir John Felton Refused to Give Up Young Huchon Despenser to Execution

In November of 1326, Edward II and his hated favorite Hugh Despenser the Younger were on the run, soon to be captured. They fled Caerphilly

The story of Huchon Despenser and the Siege of Caerphilly should be better known, if only because Felton and his men risked their own lives to save a teenage boy whose only crime was being the son of Hugh Despenser the Younger.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

Book Review: Children of the House of Cleves: Anna and Her Siblings by Heather R. Darsie

Children of the House of House of Cleves: Anna and Her Siblings by Heather R. Darsie is a short, tightly written history book that aims to c

This is a really niche history book, but for a certain few, absolutely worth a read.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

This painting of Catherine parr was painted either right before Henry VIII died or right after, and it thought to be an accurate representation of her. It was sold in 2023 for a great deal of money, because Tudor stuff sells.

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This gruesomely adorable image is just one of many gorgeous details from the Isabella Psalter, which was given to twelve-year-old Isabella of France by her husband, Edward II, as a wedding gift. And it really does give Medieval Creepypasta vibes all throughout.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

Who doesn't love a Medieval Elephant? The anonymous monk who drew this one, which is from the Isabella Psalter, did really well in that it looks like an elephant. That's too many knights, though.

The extraordinary psalter was given by Edward II to his twelve-year-old bride, Isabella, on their wedding day.

[themedievalbeekeeper]

That Time Edward II’s Stalker Pretended to be the Real Edward II

While Edward II was away in Scotland in 1318, a handsome one-eared man showed up at Beaumont Palace in Oxford and started acting like he own

Celebrity stalkers have always been a thing, even in the Middle Ages!