Promoting interdisciplinary study of the Middle Ages by bringing together specialists from several different subject areas within Cardiff University to collaborate in research and graduate teaching.

We aim to promote interdisciplinary study of the Middle Ages, bringing together specialists from several different subject areas within the University to collaborate in high-quality research and graduate teaching. Members of the Centre include staff and postgraduate students from the Schools of History, Archaeology and Religious Studies, English, Communication and Philosophy and Welsh.

We run a regular programme of research seminars, providing a focus for collaboration and discussion as well as an opportunity to bring scholars to the University from overseas. Our academic and social events are open to, and well supported by, non-University medievalists in the region.

Meet the team

Academic staff

Postgraduate students

Events

Seminar Programme

We run a regular programme of research seminars with external and internal speakers from across our different subject areas.

2024-5

1 October: ‘How to end wars – comparing the medieval and modern’, Dr Jenny Benham (Cardiff University) and Dr Miranda Melcher (independent researcher)

12 November: ‘The Late Medieval Life of a Lesser-Known Welsh Saint, St Ieuan Gwas Padrig of Llwyn and Cerrigydrudion’, Professor Jane Cartwright (University of Wales Trinity St David)

10 December: ‘William of Tyre looks West’, Dr Andrew Buck (Cardiff University)

4 February: ‘The Evidence for Bear Baiting: Literary, Visual and Archaeological Perspectives’, Dr Liam Lewis (Cardiff University)

11 March: A selection of papers by Cardiff University postgraduate researchers - Jessica Shales (Welsh); Callum Smith (SHARE); Caitlin Coxon (ENCAP)

Henry Loyn Lecture

The Centre for Medieval Studies organises the biennial Henry Loyn Memorial Lecture. In April 2024 this lecture was delivered by Professor Huw Pryce on the topic ‘Environmental Encounters in Gerald of Wales’.

Details of the 2026 Henry Loyn Memorial Lecture will be posted here in due course.

Conferences and Workshops

In April 2024, the Centre supported the hosting of an interdisciplinary Conference on Medieval Wales. Speakers from a range of disciplines (including history, archaeology and literature) presented papers on the most recent research on medieval Wales.

In summer 2024, the Centre hosted two workshops on palaeography and editing texts. These workshops included hands-on training, talks on various aspects, and an opportunity for participants to network with medievalists from different institutions.