Medieval and Early Modern Studies

A special feature of research in Modern Languages at Nottingham is our strong interest in the Medieval and Early Modern periods, from the tenth through to the late eighteenth century.

Our research covers the culture, literature, art, philosophy, history and intellectual history of several European nations and the New World.

We also work on scholarly editions of key medieval and early modern texts.

Research and activities

Medieval research includes the saints and relics of the Orthodox world, the relationship between Byzantium and the East Slavs, the history of Spanish oral, scribal and print cultures, criticism of Spanish manuscripts and Spanish books of the Jewish diaspora. We take a leading role in the Institute of Medieval Research.

Research in the Early Modern period spans topics such as:

Humanism in Renaissance and Baroque Spain and Germany
Renaissance remapping of the world and the European episteme
Sixteenth- and seventeenth-century French and Spanish prose, poetry and drama, 'scientific marvels'
The work of seventeenth-century German grammarians
The library of the Count-Duke of Olivares
Hispanic religious painting, art theory and festal culture.

Our eighteenth century work includes: