Making the Medieval Relevant

Why should we care about the Middle Ages in a world dominated by the urgent issues raised by globalization, terrorism, the menace of climate change, and a foreseeable scarcity of natural resources? While medieval scholarship actually has a great deal to offer in respect to contemporary concerns, Medieval Studies very often exists in a world of its own. This volume connects state-of-the-art medieval research to the interests, problems, and challenges of our times. Its contributions cover a broad variety of examples, including recent developments in genetic studies and climate history, but also cultural practices of prognostication and forecasting, as well as intercultural contacts and exchange. Together this collection of essays establishes why the study of the Middle Ages remains highly relevant in the twenty-first century.

C. Jones, University of Canterbury, NZ, C. Kostick, University College Dublin, Ireland and K. Oschema, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany.