John Gower’s Handwriting Identified

From Medievalists.net:

These findings, by Sebastian Sobecki, appear in the article, “Ecce patet tensus: The Trentham Manuscript, In Praise of Peace, and John Gower’s Autograph Hand” which is published in the latest issue of Speculum. Sobecki, Professor of Medieval English Literature and Culture at the University of Groningen, reveals that he discovered that the British Library’s Additional MS 59495, known as the Trentham manuscript would have belonged to John Gower until the time of his death in 1408. Furthermore, he believes that one of the scribes who produced the manuscript was Gower himself.

Sobecki tells Medievalists.net, “I had been working on and off for a couple of years on In Praise of Peace when I decided to inspect the Trentham manuscript in the British Library. In a nutshell, my findings were made possible by the difference between the digitised images and the physical manuscript or, rather, by what digitisation couldn’t capture: I had a hunch about the last two words of the ownership inscription on folio 42r, but it was only when I unfolded the dog-ear on that folio that I found the full inscription – “Will Sanders un Just D P.”. Then it only took me a couple of days to identify Saunders and realise that he was in charge of dissolving St Marie Overie, the Southwark monastery where Gower had spent the last years of his life.

“Finally, over the course of another week I started thinking through the consequences of this find, and it was then that I realised that this manuscript must have stayed with Gower until his death, and that the last scribe to write in it must therefore enjoy some degree of authorial approval. When I looked at the hand of this scribe, and his only other, equally brief, stint in British Library Cotton MS Tiberius A IV, the handwriting struck me as insecure and characterised by eyesight problems. That’s when it dawned on me that I had most probably identified Gower’s autograph hand.”

 

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Call for Papers – Prices and Standards of Living in the pre-modern period

Advanced Seminar for economic and social historians Datini–ESTER (sponsored by The Fondazione Istituto Internazationale di Soria Economica ‘F. Datini’ and the European School for Training and Social Historical Research) on “Prices and Standards of Living in the Pre-Modern Period”

Deadline for applications: 15 November 2015
Graduate students and those who completed their PhDs in the last five years are eligible to apply for a funded workshop and conference on the theme of Prices and Standards of Living in the pre-modern period, May 5-11, 2016, in Prato, Italy.  The fifteen scholars accepted will have all room and board expenses paid, but are expected to secure funds from their university for transportation costs.  The language of the workshop and conference is English. See http://www.istitutodatini.it/ester/home.htm for more details.

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Call for Papers – Science at Court, 1285-1450

Science at Court, 1285-1450
An interdisciplinary conference at Newnham College, Cambridge
3-4 June, 2016

 From the anonymous Middle English Court of Sapience to Nicole Oresme’s Livre du ciel et du monde to the lavishly illustrated copies of Pliny’s Natural History produced for the Visconti family, medieval scientific discourse was often inflected by – and constructed around – literary, musical, and artistic forms present at court.  This conference invites abstracts on what it means to “do science at court” in the late medieval period, particularly in the context of literature, music, and the arts.

How do tradition, law, and power dictate the boundaries of science? How do ethics or political science affect natural philosophy? How do didactic poems or works of counsel, conduct, and governance blur the boundaries between science and mimesis?  What is the relationship between empiricism and narrative or visual forms? How does music do mathematical and political work?

Science at Court welcomes proposals on any aspect of art at court in the context of late medieval science.

Due to the generous support of Newnham College, travel subsidies will be available for attendees who may have difficulty obtaining funds.

Please send abstracts to Dr. Tekla Bude (tlb33@cam.ac.uk)  by 15 January, 2016.

You can follow updates on the conference here: www.scienceatcourt.com

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Jobs for Medievalists

http://apply.interfolio.com/32653

Catholic University of America: MLA: Greek & Latin

Classical and Medieval Latin (TT Assistant Professor)

Closes: Nov 29, 2015 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

The Department of Greek and Latin at The Catholic University of America has received administrative approval to fill a full-time, tenure-track position in Classical and Medieval Latin, to begin in August 2016.

We seek candidates who understand, are enthusiastic about, and will make a significant contribution to the mission of the University, which can be found here: https://www.cua.edu/about-cua/mission-statement.cfm.

Applicants should expect to have the PhD in hand by the time of the appointment and show promise in research and teaching. The successful candidate will have broad training in both Greek and Latin philology and a research specialty in postclassical Latin down to c. 1500, with teaching competence in Latin palaeography and in textual criticism. The Department seeks a faculty member who will be prepared to offer courses from the introductory through the doctoral levels in the tradition of Latin literature from the classical through the medieval period, and who will further contribute to departmental teaching in at least two of the following areas: Greek and Latin patristics; Greek palaeography and textual criticism; Latin pedagogy; or area studies (e.g. mythology). The successful candidate should also expect to offer at least one course per year with all sources studied in English translation, and to participate in the university’s interdepartmental programs in Early Christian Studies and in Medieval and Byzantine Studies. The ordinary departmental teaching load is 3-2 for faculty members who are actively pursuing a research program and performing departmental and/or university service.

Applications should be uploaded to Interfolio by November 29, 2015, and include the following:
1. A cover letter;
2. A curriculum vitae, including a complete list of past courses taught;
3. A one- to two-page personal statement indicating how the candidate, through his or her research, teaching, and service, would make a distinctive contribution to advancing the University’s mission;
4. Transcripts of all graduate work (these may be informal scans, rather than official copies);
5. Evidence of excellence in teaching (e.g. course evaluation statistics and/or syllabi);
6. A research plan (no more than 2 pages long);
7. A sample of academic writing (e.g. an article or a chapter of a book/dissertation no more than 25 pages long);
8. Three letters of reference (also in electronic format), submitted separately by recommenders. One of these letters should be from someone familiar with the candidate’s teaching.

The Department will conduct interviews at the SCS meeting in San Francisco in January 2016. The University will perform background checks on all new faculty hires prior to making the final offer of employment.

Questions about the position may be directed to Dr. Sarah Ferrario, Chair, Department of Greek and Latin, The Catholic University of America, at ferraris@cua.edu. For further information about the Department of Greek and Latin and its programs, please see http://greeklatin.cua.edu.

**The Catholic University of America is an Equal Opportunity Employer.**

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Jobs for Medievalists

Chichele Professor of Medieval History

FACULTY OF HISTORY in association with All Souls College

Start date: 1 October 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University of Oxford is seeking an outstanding candidate to fill the Chichele Professorship of Medieval History on the retirement of Professor Chris Wickham. Applications are welcome from scholars working in any aspect of the era ca. 500 – 1500.

The Professor is a member of the Faculty of History, and the postholder will also be a fellow of All Souls College. The successful candidate will be a scholar of the highest international standing, with an outstanding record of research and publication in medieval history, the ability to teach and inspire students at all levels, and the ability and willingness to undertake senior administrative duties.

Deadline for applications: Monday 14 December 2015. For more details about the post and full application instructions, see www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/jobs/fp.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity.

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Call for Papers – Dialogue and Difference in the Middle Ages

Dialogue and Difference in the Middle Ages
Bristol Centre for Medieval Studies – 22nd annual postgraduate conference
Thursday 25th – Friday 26th February 2016

Call for Papers

Dialogue and Difference is an interdisciplinary conference bringing together scholars from all fields to explore the ways in which cultural, social, political, religious, scientific and intellectual exchange and interaction unfolded throughout the Middle Ages. Dialogues took place both across borderlines and within the heart of medieval societies, in monasteries, universities, courts and market places as well as on battlefields and high-roads. How did these dialogues shape the societies of the Middle Ages, and how did new ideas, people and cultures interact with old? Did difference lead to conflict, or to coexistence?

This conference aims to explore these issues across societies from medieval Europe, Byzantium, the Near East and beyond, and spanning from Late Antiquity to the 16th century.

Possible topics include, but are not limited to:

  • societies built on cultural, political and religious borders
  • inter-religious dialogue and polemic
  • the emergence of the university
  • conquest and colonisation
  • heresy and reform
  • inter and intra-textual dialogues
  • gender and the body
  • technological or scientific developments
  • conversion and assimilation
  • material histories and the dialogue of artefacts

Postgraduate and early-career researchers are invited to submit abstracts of:
200-300 words for 20 minute papers

We are also accepting abstracts of:
100 words for 10 minute flash papers, or
100 words for poster presentations 

All abstracts are to be submitted by Wednesday 25th November 2015 to Sophie and Teresa, at: sophie.burton@bristol.ac.uk and teresa.witcombe@bristol.ac.uk

For all additional information, please contact: sophie.burton@bristol.ac.uk and teresa.witcombe@bristol.ac.uk

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Mellon Junior Faculty Fellowship in Medieval Studies at the University of Notre Dame’s Medieval Institute

The University of Notre Dame invites applicants for a one-year Mellon Postdoctoral Fellowship in Medieval Studies. This Fellowship is designed for junior faculty who currently hold a position in a North American university as an assistant professor. It is open to qualified applicants in all fields of Medieval Studies. The fellowship holder will pursue research in residence at Notre Dame’s famed Medieval Institute during the academic year 2016-17.

The intent of this Fellowship is to enable its holders to complete research and writing on a book manuscript in advance of tenure. The Fellowship carries no teaching responsibilities, but holders are expected to participate in the multidisciplinary intellectual life of the Institute and to reside in South Bend. The Fellow will be provided with a private carrel in the Medieval Institute, enjoy full library and computer privileges, and have access to all the Institute’s research tools.

In addition, towards the conclusion of their residency the Fellow’s work will be at the center of a half-day conference. Three senior scholars, chosen in cooperation with the Medieval Institute, will be invited to campus for a half-day public seminar treating the subject matter of the Fellow’s research. The senior scholars will also read and discuss a draft version of the Fellow’s work in an extended private session, a one-to-one conversation following a close reading of the draft, with a view to improving the manuscript before its submission to a press.

Eligibility: Mellon scholars must hold a tenure-track appointment at a U.S. institution, obviously with a completed Ph.D., and should not be more than six years beyond receiving their Ph.D. at the time of application.

Stipend: $40,000 (paid directly to Fellow’s home institution)

Application deadline: February 15, 2016

Application procedure: Applicants should submit as one PDF a letter of application, project proposal, completed informational sheet, and current c.v., and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent. See details regarding materials and submission on the Medieval Institute’s web site at http://goo.gl/Pn1Ag6.

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The Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture’s first lecture in its 2015-2016 lecture series

The Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture is pleased to announce the first lecture in its 2015-2016 lecture series.

On October 27, 2015, at 3:30 pm at The Greek Institute, Dr. Ioanna Christoforaki (Academy of Athens) will present “From the Roman West to the Latin East: Tales and Adventures of a Cretan Icon.” Dr. Chrisoforaki will discuss a little known Icon with Saint Martin in the collection of the Petit Palais within the context of icon production on Venetian-ruled Crete.

The lecture is co-sponsored by The Greek Institute.

Please join us for a reception following the lecture.

Tuesday, October 27, 2015, at 3:30 pm

The Greek Institute
1038 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Please visit www.maryjahariscenter.org or contact Brandie Ratliff (mjcbac@hchc.edu), Director, Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture, for additional information.​

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Jobs for Medievalists

Curator of Ancient and Medieval Manuscripts

Vacancy Details

Summary
Salary: £32,000 to £36,800
Location: St Pancras
Job Type: Permanent
Vacancy Group: Collections
Category: Curator, Conservation, Collection Care
Closing Date: 11/15/2015
Date Posted: 10/15/2015
Reference: 00452

Description

The British Library holds an internationally renowned collection of manuscripts relating to the ancient and medieval world. As Curator of Ancient and Medieval Manuscripts, with a special responsibility for Classical, Biblical and Byzantine Manuscripts, you will use innovative and traditional ways of interpreting and presenting these collections through online resources and engagement with academic and general users. You will manage projects relating to ancient and medieval manuscripts and use your specialist knowledge to support the development, management and promotion of these collections.

With a post-graduate degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject, you will have experience of research in Classics and /or Byzantine Studies and a personal area of expertise relevant to the collection. Strong knowledge of Ancient Greek and Classical Latin, excellent written and oral communication skills in English, and the ability to promote the collections to a wide range of audiences are essential.

To help transform research on and engagement with these collections, please visit www.bl.uk/careers/

Appointments are usually made at the bottom of the pay scale.

Closing date 15 November 2015.

Interview Date: 26 November 2015.

https://britishlibrary.recruitment.northgatearinso.com/birl/pages/vacancy.jsf;jsessionid=9DE8E9A186EEBD3351186EBB5FFFE824?latest=01000716

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Jobs for Medievalists

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD
Faculty of History
in association with All Souls College
Chichele Professor of Medieval History

Start date: 1 October 2016 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The University of Oxford is seeking an outstanding candidate to fill the Chichele Professorship of Medieval History on the retirement of Professor Chris Wickham. Applications are welcome from scholars working in any aspect of the era ca. 500 – 1500.

The Professorship is a member of the Faculty of History, and the Professor will also be a Fellow of All Souls College. The successful candidate will be a scholar of the highest international standing, with an outstanding record of research and publication in medieval history, the ability to teach and inspire students at all levels, and the ability and willingness to undertake senior administrative duties.

Deadline for applications: Monday 14 December 2015. For more details about the post and full application instructions, see www.ox.ac.uk/about_the_university/jobs/fp/.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

Committed to equality and valuing diversity

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