IMC (Leeds) Newsletter

Dear colleague,

Please find below the latest instalment of the Leeds International
Medieval Congress Newsletter. The newsletter will also be available
online at www.leeds.ac.uk/ims/imc/IMCNewsletter.pdf. We hope through
the newsletter to keep in touch with IMC participants past and
present, and to inform them of forthcoming IMC events.

We would appreciate if you could print out this leaflet and display
it in your institution or department/school.

We aim to make this newsletter a regular occurrence - if you prefer
not to receive this newsletter in the future please let us know by
return email. We always appreciate your feedback, so do please feel
free to suggest improvements to this newsletter, and to let us know
what you would like to see included in future issues.

With best wishes for the summer,

Axel E. W. Müller
Director, International Medieval Congress

1.1 Academic Programme
The IMC 2009 took place between 13-16 July at the University of
Leeds, UK. 1540 medievalists attended, from no fewer than 40
different countries, making this the largest IMC to date.

The Congress continues to draw in international participants with
more than half of participants coming from outside of the UK, 20%
coming from outside Europe. This year attracted delegates from as far
a field as New Zealand, Turkey, and South Africa. Some 360 sessions
and roundtable discussions explored all aspects of the European
Middle Ages, with papers on subjects as diverse as 'Heretic, Sinner,
or Both?: William of Rubruck's Use of Heresy and Sin in Describing
Rivals and Other Faiths at the Mongol Court', 'The Glossing Fool in
Medieval Theatre: The Ultimate Drama Critic', 'Abélard et Jean de
Meun: Une lecture du Roman de la Rose en clé universitaire', 'Der
fromme Ketzer Dietrich/Theoderich: Zur 'Deutungshoheit' über eine
literarisch-historische Gestalt aus arianischer bzw. katholischer
Sicht', and 'El Catarismo en España a través de sus fuentes
originales'.

The Congress was host to a wide spread in ages and backgrounds,
ranging from the seasoned professional to the postgraduate giving
their first paper. As well as those working in higher education
around the world, we were also joined by those working in heritage
management, offering an insight into existing and sometimes
rediscovered collections that are increasingly being opened to the
public for research.

We received plenty of feedback and are already looking at ways to
improve the Congress for next year. Amongst many positive comments
about the Congress, participants said that IMC 2009 'was an
interesting and amazing experience' and that 'the range of speakers
was excellent'. This year's special thematic strand, Heresy and
Orthodoxy, generated both interest and enthusiasm, with more than 180
sessions presented under the auspices of the strand, including
keynote addresses by John H. Arnold, (School of History, Classics &
Archaeology, Birkbeck College, University of London ) and Jeffrey J.
Cohen, (Department of English, George Washington University). The
Heresy and Orthodoxy strand was co-ordinated by Andrew P. Roach
(Department of History, University of Glasgow) and James R. Simpson,
(Centre for Medieval & Renaissance Studies, University of Glasgow)
and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their
work this past year.

1.2 Events and Excursions
As in previous years, IMC 2009 offered a full programme of events and
excursions, as well as practical workshops as an accompaniment to the
academic programme.
Sunday, 12 July, opened with an excursion to the varied palaces of
the Archbishops of York, as well as a trip to Skipton Castle, one of
the best preserved castles in England. Sunday events included the
opening of our annual two-day Antiquarian and Second-hand Book Fair,
a voice workshop focusing on polyphonic pilgrim and processional
songs (directed by Vivien Ellis and jointly sponsored by the IMC and
the North East Early Music Forum), and a hands-on look at Anglo-Saxon
and Viking textile production, as well as a fascinating rendition of
the Welsh tale Rhiannon performed by storyteller Katy Cawkwell.

Other event highlights included workshops on medieval cosmetics,
fingerloop braiding, and dance, as well as a concert of early Tudor
music by Quodlibet and a performance of monophonic sacred music by
Salzburger Virgilschola (sponsored by the Oswald von
Wolkenstein-Gesellschaft). Working in collaboration with the
Instituto Cervantes, the IMC concert series concluded with a
performance of Sephardic music by Sirma. All concerts took place
within the beautiful Norman Church of St John the Baptist in Adel.
Weetwood Hall also hosted a medieval feast, complete with decorated
boar's head and live music by the Leeds Waits.
Returning for the second time this year were the Craft Fair and
Historical and Archaeological Societies Fair, both of which continue
to generate positive interest and showcase the diversity of creative
and historical activities associated with the Middle Ages.

Other excursions included trips to the Royal Armouries Museum at
Leeds, Kirkstall Abbey, Fountains Abbey, Medieval Pontefract,
Beverley Minster, and Conisbrough Castle.

Section 2: Looking Ahead
2.0 Santander Universities
Congress Scholarship Scheme

Santander Universities is contributing to the International Medieval
Congress (IMC) at the University of Leeds, UK in 2010 by providing
£10,000 worth of bursaries. These bursaries are designed to enable
participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Puerto
Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela, Spain, and Portugal to attend the Congress
in 2010.

The bursaries will range in value from £200 to £1000 and may cover
all or parts of the Registration and Programming Fee, accommodation,
and meals, as well as travel expenses. This scheme operates in
addition to the existing, on-going IMC Bursary scheme.

Applicants are requested to apply via the IMC Bursary application
form, stating that they are applying for the Santander Universities
Congress Scholarship Scheme at the start of their supporting
statement and including their approximate travel expenses at:

http://imc.leeds.ac.uk/imcapp/Submit/BursaryApplicationForm.jsp

The IMC bursary application form closes on 16 October 2009, so all
applications should be submitted by midnight (GMT) on 15 October 2009.

The Bursary Committee will reach a decision during November and all
applicants will be notified of the results by the end of November.

Further information can be found on our website:

http://www.leeds.ac.uk/ims/imc/santander.html

2.1 IMC 2010: 12-15 July 2010
Paper proposals must be submitted by 31 August 2009, session and
roundtable proposals by 30 September 2009.
Plans for next year's Congress are well underway. As in previous
years, papers and sessions on all aspects of the study of the
European Middle Ages are most welcome, in any major European language.
One of the focuses for 2010 will be the special thematic strand on
'Travel and Exploration'. IMC 2010 commemorates the 550th anniversary
of the death of Prince Henry 'the Navigator' by making 'Travel and
Exploration' a special thematic focus. The voyages undertaken in the
name of Henry exemplify many of the motives that had long driven
people to travel and explore: the prospect of wealth, trade, and
territory, knowledge and curiosity, piety and religious zeal, legends
and external salvation.

The IMC seeks to provide a forum for debates on the motives,
processes, and effects of travel and exploration, not only by Latin
Christians in the so-called 'Age of Discovery', but across cultures,
and throughout the medieval period and beyond. The full call for
papers is available on our website at
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/ims/imc/imc2010_call.html

The IMC Core Strands are:
. Anglo-Saxon Studies
. Archaeology
. Art and Architecture
. Byzantine Studies
. Celtic Studies
. Central and Eastern European Studies
. Church History and Canon Law
. Crusades and Latin East
. Culture and Society
. Daily Life
. Drama
. Gender Studies/Women's Studies
. Geography and Settlement Studies
. Government and Institutions
. Hagiography and Religious Writing
. Historiography (Medieval and Modern)
. Jewish Studies
. Language and Literature - Comparative
. Language and Literature - Germanic
. Language and Literature - Middle English
. Language and Literature - Romance Vernacular
. Late Antique and Early Medieval Studies
. Latin Writing
. Literacy and Communication
. Material Culture
. Medievalism and Reception of the Middle Ages
. Mediterranean and Islamic Studies
. Monasticism and Religious Life
. Music and Liturgy
. Philosophy and Political Thought
. Scandinavian Studies
. Science, Technology and Military History
. Social and Economic History
. Sources and Resources
. Theology and Bible Studies

We prefer proposals to be completed online - a quick, easy, and
secure method. To submit a proposal, go to
http://imc.leeds.ac.uk/imcapp/
Remember to order your equipment for 2010 on your proposal form!
Check http://www.leeds.ac.uk/ims/imc/equipment.html for more details.

2.2 Future IMC Dates
. IMC 2010 Paper Proposals Deadline: 31 August 2009
. IMC 2010 Session Proposals Deadline: 30 September 2008
. IMC 2010: Special Thematic Strand: 'Travel and Exploration', 12-15 July 2010
. IMC 2011: Special Thematic Strand: 'Poor-Rich', 11-14 July 2011
. IMC 2012: 9-12 July 2012
. IMC 2013: 8-11 July 2013
. IMC 2014: 7-10 July 2014

Section 3: About the Institute for Medieval Studies at the University of Leeds
3.1 Teaching and Research
Leeds is one of the world's centres for interdisciplinary research
into the Middle Ages. The MA in Medieval Studies provides an
introduction to the advanced study of European culture. Teaching
draws from a large and diverse community of scholars. Medieval
languages and their associated literatures are a special strength.
Leeds's University Library is one of the largest research libraries
in the UK, with over 2.7 million books, a fine journal collection,
and extensive holdings in all areas of medieval studies, with a rich
and expanding store of manuscripts and rare books. Within walking
distance are the archives and libraries of the Yorkshire
Archaeological Society and Royal Armouries, both of which have large
medieval holdings.
Areas that are well supported for PhD research include: liturgy and
music; material culture; the Mediterranean and Islam; Crusades,
medieval warfare, and battlefield archaeology; late antiquity; early
medieval art, architecture, and culture; mission, monasticism,
ecclesiastical history, and church archaeology; historical topography
and settlement; manuscript studies and codicology; art and
architectural history and critical theory.
The presence within the Institute of the International Medieval
Congress and International Medieval Bibliography enables
postgraduates to gain practical as well as academic experience,
whilst links with publishers, museums, and research projects provide
opportunities for internships and work experience. Collaboration with
the Royal Armouries enriches teaching and research on chivalry, arms,
armour, tournaments, and medieval warfare. For students and lovers of
landscape and architecture, Yorkshire's countryside, medieval
castles, churches, and abbeys are near to hand.
3.2 International Medieval Bibliography: Call for Contributors
The International Medieval Bibliography (IMB), based at Leeds since
1967, is a multi-disciplinary database of Medieval Studies which
helps underpin the work of the IMC. Now, after the implementation of
the IMBOnline, the bibliography is working to greatly expand its
coverage of publications. To this end, the editorial team is looking
for individuals or organisations to become contributors to join its
existing range of partners throughout the world. Contributors take
responsibility for identifying and cataloguing publications relating
to specific subject or geographical areas, and are rewarded with free
subscriptions to IMB (online or print), other free publications and
other benefits. Contributors are sought who are based in the USA,
France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Russia, Portugal, Israel, Lithuania,
Greece, Cyprus, Latvia, Romania, and the Arab world, particularly
with interests in archaeology, art, regional and local history, and
vernacular languages. If you are interested in becoming a
contributor, contact the editor, Dr Alan V. Murray, at
A.V.Murray@leeds.ac.uk.

3.3 Institute for Medieval Studies: Membership of the Institute
The IMS Membership scheme offers medievalists the opportunity to
benefit from discounts and priority information, IMS products and
activities.
The membership scheme offers two categories: Associate and Affiliate.
For Associate members we offer either the IMB Online or the printed
International Medieval Bibliography. For more information contact:
imsmembership@leeds.ac.uk

3.4 IMS Lecture Series
The IMS Lecture Series for 2009/10 is taking shape. All lectures are
free of charge and open to all. Lectures will take place on selected
Tuesdays of each month between 17.30 - 18.30, in Lecture Room 1.08,
Parkinson Building, University of Leeds. Current confirmed speakers
include: Godfried Croenen (University of Liverpool), Constant Mews
(Monash University, Victoria), Felicitas Schmieder (FernUniversität
Hagen), and Steven A. Walton (Pennsylvania State University).