Flag of Vatican city state
History

Papal Power and Governance of the Church

March 11, 2023

The papacy claimed absolute power within the Church, as well as over all the secular rulers too. As a result, there emerged many critics of the papacy and the entire Church hierarchy. […]

Sketch of a lawspeaker surrounded by people.
History

Medieval Institutions of Representative Government

March 11, 2023

Medieval institutions of representative government were already well established long before the emergence of independent, self-governing towns in the 12th century. Habits of collective decision-making and mechanisms for regular local assembly were in place to counter the growing power of territorial monarchies. […]

Image of historical Dutch parliament building.
History

Governance in the Middle Ages

March 11, 2023

The framers of the United States Constitution were influenced by medieval institutions. In fact, the procedures for electing officials, judging cases, examining witnesses, and other practices central to modern governance were hammered out in medieval Europe. […]

A portrait of Elizabeth I.
History

The Gender Issue and the King’s Two Bodies Doctrine

March 5, 2023

The doctrine of the King’s Two Bodies was used strictly in response to the need to lawfully sanctify and legitimise the succession of Elizabeth I. It remedied the problem of her gender, making it more palatable for medieval England to accept her as their ‘king’. […]

A painting of the court of Chancery.
History

The Rule of Law in Medieval England

March 4, 2023

Alfred the Great tried to have a unified rule of law, establishing shared legal processes and norms. In fact, in early medieval England, a jury of 12 men would regularly convene to settle disputes and give testimonies. […]

illustration of a queen in huge collared dress
History

Can We Ignore the Contribution of Female Artists?

March 3, 2023

Often relegated as secondary tasks, the art of creating textiles never gained importance in the Middle Ages. However as evidence proves, many of these brilliant pieces may have been created by female artists and may need a relook. […]

St. Hildegard of Bingen on a stone floor with background
History

Not All Medieval Artists Were Men

March 3, 2023

What if we were to entertain the possibility that many of the artworks that survive from the Middle Ages represent the artistic achievements of women? It is highly plausible, and we may have evidence. […]

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