IMC 2019: Sessions

Session 1131: Counting Animals and Animals that Count

Wednesday 3 July 2019, 11.15-12.45

Sponsor:	M(edieval) A(nimal) D(ata-Network), Central European University, Budapest
Organiser:	Gerhard Jaritz, Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest
Moderator/Chair:	Alice Choyke, Department of Medieval Studies, Central European University, Budapest
Paper 1131-a	Animal Links: Connections between Animal-Related Material Objects within Domestic Space (Language: English) Ingrid Matschinegg, Institut für Realienkunde des Mittelalters und der frühen Neuzeit, Universität Salzburg Index terms: Daily Life, Economics - Rural, Social History
Paper 1131-b	Counting Each Other's Blessings: Animals in Dialogue in Jean Froissart's Debate of the Horse and the Greyhound (Language: English) Anastasija Ropa, Department of Management & Communication Science, Latvian Academy of Sport Education, Riga Index terms: Daily Life, Language and Literature - French or Occitan
Paper 1131-c	Animals and Birds in Stone on Medieval Livonian Burgher Houses (Language: English) Anu Mänd, Institute of History, Archaeology & Art History, Tallinn University Index terms: Art History - Sculpture, Daily Life, Epigraphy
Abstract	Animals in medieval sources, whether archaeological, textual, or image based, frequently appear in multiples. Their number can represent their relative importance, economically as well as with regard to social and political status. Some animals achieved their value through numbers, while others counted as intrinsically valuable. The latter's appearance in multiples even increased the elite context of the scene. A herd of sheep grazing on a hill represents prosperity, while a group of riders on horseback underlines the elite character of the situation. However, animals in groups could also take on a malign aspect.