Medieval
English Literature research theme
Our work on medieval literature draws attention to vernacular culture and its embodiment in manuscripts and inscription.
Our research is interdisciplinary and transhistorical, probing the relationship between text and image in Old English and Middle English culture. We map influences from medieval literature to the present day, to advance the understanding of medieval culture in new fields of scholarship and public engagement.
We investigate manuscript culture in medieval England and Scotland, with projects on multiple genres from polemic to romance. Our approach combines archival studies with discussion of vernacular culture, theatre, poetry and visual media.
Our work explores the cultural forms and expressions of religion in the medieval period, from devotional literature to the parish church, and we are active in Birmingham’s interdisciplinary Centre for the Study of the Middle Ages (CeSMA).
Researchers
- Dr Amy Burge - popular fiction, in particular romance, both medieval and modern
- Dr Megan Cavell - Old English and comparative literature, especially poetry
- Dr Victoria Flood - pre-modern historical and legendary content, alongside its later reception histories
- Dr David Griffith - late medieval literature and visual culture
- Dr Olivia Robinson - Anglo-French literary cultures and medieval theatre
- Dr Philippa Semper - Old English literature and modern fantasy literature
- Dr Emily Wingfield - medieval Scottish literature, including romance, manuscript study and book history
Honorary and Emerita
- Professor Wendy Scase - medieval English literature and culture