39th Victoria Medieval Conference:

Re-creating the Middle Ages

February 7th, 2026
Location: Bob Wright Centre
Full day: 8:45 am - 4:30 pm

Speakers and Program

Time	Speaker
8:45 B150	Welcome, Terri Barnhard, UVic Elder Opening Words, Annalee Lepp, Dean, Faculty of Humanities Introduction, Eva Baboula, Director, Medieval Studies Program
9:30	Recreating the Middle Ages from York Lightning talks, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York, UK Introduced by Kenneth Clarke, Director, Centre for Medieval Studies Steve Ashby, on archaeological science and Viking Age trade Jessica Richardson, on re-creation of the Medieval past in 17th-century Italy Richard McClary, on Islamic tiles for lost interiors in Medieval Iran Marcus Milwright, on fiction as a response to Islamic art
10:15	Art of the Medieval Duel The Historical Combat Collective, Thomas Del Motte, Torben Schau, Naseeb Hussain, and Erwin Li
11:00	Breadcrumbs Through the Stacks: A Quest for Medieval Scholarship Michael Lines, Medieval Studies Librarian, UVic Libraries
11:30 -1:30	Hands-on experience and exploration Bob Wright Centre lobby Embroidery, Laura Oakley Spinning, Trish Baer Pacific Association for Recreating the Middle Ages (PARMA) Calligraphy, Georgia Angelopoulos Dungeons & Dragons, Archer Nelson, Medieval Studies student Medieval Ale Making, Noëlle Phillips Student Research Posters, led by Erin McGuire, Department of Anthropology McPherson Library Medieval manuscripts and facsimiles (Special Collections & Archives) Making an icon (video demonstration) Book binding, Michael Lines Participants are welcome to enjoy their lunch on the premises or any of the campus food services.
1:00	Medieval Falconry and Hawking The Raptors
1:30	Recreating Instruments and Music Performance The Bourdons and Dr. John Tucker, UVic emeritus
2:15	Refreshment break
2:30	Medieval Brewing and the Downfall of the Alewife Lansdowne speaker Dr. Noëlle Phillips, Douglas College
3:30	Byzantium after Byzantium Lansdowne speaker Dr. Andrea Myers Achi, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY
4:30	Thank you and closing remarks

Please note:
Some of the speakers will join us online from York, UK, and New York. There is a zoom link available for participants who may not be able to come to campus, but we encourage in-person attendance. All online talks will be broadcast in B150.

Lansdowne Speakers

Participants may receive pre-circulated readings in the weeks leading up to the symposium.

Donations are handled through Giving to UVic and our conference can be accessed here.

Student posters 2025-26

These posters and more will be availble for viewing at the conference.

Teen Vogue-Kings

A lighthearted parody zine about Viking Age Ireland and Britain, exploring the less flashy but nevertheless essential parts of life. Inspired by trendy youth magazines and fun, approachable media formats. Includes creative explorations of trade, fashion, gender, and much more.

Authors:

Jade Sia (Psychology/Anthropology)
Mackenzie Borthwick (Anthropology)
Matteus Hughes (Creative Writing)
Nakira Woodcock (Sociology/Environmental Studies)

Beneath the Ink: Hidden Craft of Medieval Manuscripts

This experiential anthropology project examined medieval ink and pigment production by recreating historical materials using contemporary substitutes. By experimenting with different water sources, binding agents, and writing implements, including a feather quill, ballpoint pen, and fountain pen, we evaluated why certain materials appear more frequently in medieval sources and what was gained or lost through technological change. The resulting inks and pigments were tested on both modern paper and goat skin parchment to evaluate their performance across surfaces. This hands-on approach allowed us to experience how the materials used during the Middle Ages shaped medieval writing practices.

Author:

Carol Barbon (Medieval Studies/Greek & Roman Studies) - Presenter
Shelby Andrews (History)
Ben Choinski (Art History and Visual Studies)
Alexander Bierlmeier (Art History and Visual Studies)

Netflix and Chronicle

This poster examines the portrayal of the Middle Ages in the television series The Last Kingdom by exploring the present tensions between historical accuracy and historical fiction inherent in storytelling. Set in ninth- and tenth-century Anglo-Saxon England, The Last Kingdom draws heavily on Bernard Cornwell’s novels, The Saxon Stories while also referencing primary sources such as the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, medieval law codes, and accounts of Viking activity. Engaging with primary sources alongside fictional accounts has the power to inspire learning and examine the ways that historical memory is carried out and recreated.

Author, Leigh Tipper (History MA)

Turnshoes: An Exploration of Medieval Footwear Production and Practices

This project aims to apply the intuitive problem solving that arises when engaging with leatherworking using the same toolset as found in the medieval period to modern scholarship. Findings include the potential use of leather scraps as sewing aids and the artisan’s progression of skill over multiple similar products.

Author, Gwaiidon Duckworth-White (Anthropology)

Let's Call it a Knight

Medieval masculinities and 15th century women-at-arms.

Author, Alexander J. Wolffe (Art History and Visual Studies, MA)

Thirteeth Century Echoes Today

Le Roman de Silence and Queer Medieval Studies

Author, Alexander J. Wolffe (Art History and Visual Studies)

Student work from 2022-23

We have some wonderful posters and a final report from some of our students who took Dr. Adrienne Williams Boyarin's class last term.

There will be a presentation on these during the conference, but please feel free to look at the posters and read the paper below.

Poster: "Marginalia in a Fiftheenth-Century Confessional" by Kiarra Burd

Poster: "Mistakes: The (Manuscript) world is Full of them!" by Lilian Goy

Poster and written report:"Early Modern English Wax Seals in the Brown Collection" by Eleanor Shippin