Whether you’re joining us this autumn or simply looking to immerse yourself in the worlds of the medieval and early modern periods, summer is the perfect time to explore some reading and digital resources. Our fabulous new Latin and Palaeography expert Dr Han Tame has put together a selection of recommendations that range from foundational scholarly texts to historical fiction, monster theory, manuscript studies and filmed theatre.
Happy reading—and exploring!
Foundational Reading
If you’re interested in medieval history, literature, art or culture, these works provide an excellent foundation for further study.
Peter Brown, The Cult of the Saints: Its Rise and Function in Latin Christianity
A classic introduction to medieval religious thought, Brown’s influential study explores the development of the cult of saints and its central place in medieval Christianity. It remains essential reading for anyone interested in pre-modern culture and religious history.
Mary Carruthers, The Book of Memory: A Study of Memory in Medieval Culture
A more challenging but immensely rewarding read, Carruthers examines how memory formed the structure for learning and thinking in the Middle Ages. This landmark work has shaped decades of scholarship and continues to be widely referenced across medieval studies.
Raymond Clemens and Timothy Graham, Introduction to Manuscript Studies
For anyone curious about medieval books, this accessible introduction explains how manuscripts were made, read and preserved. It’s an excellent starting point for learning how books were made and used.
Fun Reading
Scholarship doesn’t have to be intimidating—these books and essays demonstrate just how engaging medieval studies can be.
J.R.R. Tolkien, Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics
Fans of The Lord of the Rings will enjoy seeing Tolkien in his role as a medieval scholar. See how Tolkien’s scholarly work on medieval literature influenced his writing and shaped later discussions of monsters in medieval literature.
Jeffrey Jerome Cohen, Monster Theory: Seven Theses
More monsters – this is a really fun essay on medieval and modern monsters in literature and film.
Tison Pugh and Susan Aronstein (eds.), The Disney Middle Ages: A Fairy-Tale and Fantasy Past
Ever wondered how Disney has shaped our image of the medieval world? This entertaining collection of essays explores the relationship between medieval history, fantasy, and popular culture, offering fresh perspectives on familiar stories.
Michael Camille, Image on the Edge: The Margins of Medieval Art
A fantastic and funny, if highly contested, study of manuscript marginalia from a Marxist perspective. All later scholarship on marginalia will reference this!
Medieval Fiction
Sometimes the best way into the past is through a great story.
Umberto Eco, The Name of the Rose
A gripping medieval murder mystery set in a monastery, combining philosophy, theology and intrigue. Also made into a film starring Sean Connery.
Ellis Peters, A Morbid Taste for Bones
The first novel in the much-loved Cadfael series, this charming historical mystery introduces the Benedictine monk and amateur detective Brother Cadfael. The television adaptation starring Derek Jacobi is excellent—but many readers agree the books are even better.
Victor Hugo, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame
For the brave! This inspired the restoration of Notre-Dame cathedral in the nineteenth century, and reinvigorated interest in medieval architecture. Alternatively, watch the Disney movie!
Watch Instead
Reading isn’t the only way to experience the early modern period. The Globe Player offers professionally filmed productions from Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. If you’re looking for a place to start, Macbeth and Christopher Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus make excellent viewing over the summer.
Explore Medieval Manuscripts Online
One of the joys of medieval studies is that many incredible manuscripts are now freely available online. These digital collections allow you to browse beautifully illuminated manuscripts, practise reading medieval handwriting, and discover collections from across Europe.
Some excellent places to begin include:
- MEMSLib – Our own collection of online resources, books and learning materials, including a dedicated palaeography section curated by David Rundle and MEMS postgraduates past and present.
- Medieval Digital Resources – A gateway to a wide range of online medieval resources.
- Mandragore – Explore beautifully digitised manuscript images from the Bibliothèque nationale de France.
- DigiVatLib – The Vatican Library’s remarkable collection of digitised manuscripts.
- Biblissima – A portal bringing together manuscripts and medieval resources from French collections.
- Handschriftenportal – A major resource for manuscripts held in German collections.
- France–England: Medieval Manuscripts 800–1200 – Browse digitised manuscripts by theme and discover connections between medieval England and France.
Whether you’re fascinated by saints, manuscripts, monsters, murder mysteries, or medieval art, we hope these recommendations inspire you to spend some time exploring the rich and varied worlds of the Middle Ages and the early modern period. We look forward to welcoming new students soon—and hearing about the books, essays, and discoveries that captured your imagination over the summer.