Skip to main content

IMC 2024: Sessions

Session 741: Medievalism's Marginalised Makers, I

Tuesday 2 July 2024, 14:15-15:45

Sponsor:Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York
Organisers:Fran Allfrey, Department of Archaeology, University of York
Emma Nuding, Department of English Literature & Creative Writing, Lancaster University
Moderator/Chair:Emily Sun, Department of English, Harvard University
Paper 741-aThe Mere Wife: Marginalised Female Voice from the Medieval to the Present
(Language: English)
Caroline Banerjee, Department of Media, Culture & Creative Industries, City, University of London
Index terms: Gender Studies, Language and Literature - Old English and Medievalism and Antiquarianism
Paper 741-bTrespass, Rights of Way, and Early Medieval Inheritance in Elizabeth-Jane Burnett's The Grassling and Twelve Words for Moss
(Language: English)
Francesca Brooks, Department of English & Related Literature, University of York
Index terms: Gender Studies, Language and Literature - Old English and Medievalism and Antiquarianism
Paper 741-cBelow the Borders: The Leek Embroidery Society Facsimile of the Bayeux Tapestry and Gendered Reception
(Language: English)
Miranda Rainbow, British Museum, London / Institute of English Studies, School of Advanced Study, University of London
Index terms: Gender Studies, Medievalism and Antiquarianism, Social History and Women's Studies
Abstract

In studies of medievalism, there is a flourishing bibliography analysing the work of artists and scholars of marginalised genders, races, and sexualities, including studies by Candace Barrington, Helen Brookman, Jane Chance, Joshua Davies, Caroline Dinshaw, Denis Ferhatović, Katie Garner, Jonathan Hsy, Clare Lees, Bob Mills, Gillian Overing, Elan J. Pavlinich, Mary Rambaran Olm, Matthew X. Vernon, and Bethany Whalley. The Queer Medievalism Network and the forthcoming issue of Studies in Medievalism XXXIII, ‘(En)Gendering Medievalism’, also demonstrate increased attunement to medievalisms’ marginalised makers.

Excellent work is happening, yet, as a whole, across major journals and edited volumes of medievalism, people of colour, queer people, and people of marginalised genders - as poets, writers, and artists - are notably absent. In 258 articles published in Studies in Medievalism between 2003 and 2023, only 11% give significant attention to work by women. In major edited medievalism volumes, queer creators and BIPOC artists are chronically under-represented. When women’s work is analysed, it is often women reflecting on their own creations.

This panel series seeks to expand critical attention to marginalised makers of the Middle Ages. We especially look to examine the intersections between medievalism, gender, sexuality, race, and the dynamics of class and social privilege.