Lemon and Grey Heritage Education

Yes, it's absolutely true!

A tenth-century remedy in Bald's Leechbook—known today as "Bald's Eyesalve"—was tested by scientists in 2015 and shown to kill Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) in laboratory studies.

Though not all medieval medicine was based on superstition, I'm revisiting my research on this fantastic manuscript for my new course next term - the Supernatural Middle Ages! 👇

https://www.erasmusdarwin.org/event/10-week-history-course-the-supernatural-middle-ages-by-charlotte-ball/

📣ANNOUNCEMENT!📣

Following on from last year's two lovely terms, I am pleased to be bringing my newest course to Erasmus Darwin House!

Starting on September 7th, the new 10-week course will explore the Supernatural Middle Ages.

If you are intrigued by the stranger side of medieval history, this might be for you!

The Middle Ages were a dark age, filled with superstition and wild beliefs in supernatural things…weren’t they?

In this exploratory and fun course, we can expect to meet readers of omens and practitioners of magic; saints and heretics; miracles and monsters. But we will also dive into what people at the time actually believed about the nature of their world, and whether or not the distinction we draw between “natural” and “supernatural” even applies to the Middle Ages at all.

Each week will start with a lecture on a different topic. Then, during and after a tea break, questions, discussions and wild tangents are all encouraged!

Aimed at all levels of knowledge – there is something for everyone.

📍Erasmus Darwin House, Beacon St, Lichfield WS13 7AD
🗓️ Starts Monday 7th September, 9:30-11:00
🎫 Contact Erasmus Darwin House to book here: https://www.erasmusdarwin.org/event/10-week-history-course-the-supernatural-middle-ages-by-charlotte-ball/

Heorot vibes!

Even though I was speaking about Vikings at Hixon Memorial Hall, these "royal" guests naturally put me in mind of another Danish institution - the legendary mead hall of Heorot (Hart) in the Old English epic, Beowulf.

In the poem, the festivities at Heorot are interrupted by a visitation from the man-eating monster Grendel. Luckily, he didn't put in an appearance 😈

A fantastic evening at "Viking Night" with Lichfield Discovered! I was so pleased to speak at this brilliant event. It was a pleasure telling the tale of Repton in the beautiful Council Chambers.

As you can see, I was clearly having a very serious discussion about the mead too...

Happy Æthelflæd day to the Midlands!

Looking forward to speaking at this event later this month!

There's nothing quite like getting together with fellow history buffs. Always something to learn!

Preparing for a new course in September - this time about supernatural and folk beliefs in the Middle Ages - when I noticed this oddity about my copy of Robert Bartlett's book. It doesn't have a title - or a blurb for that matter.

Some might say it's a printing mistake. Some might say Bartlett's work is so foundational it needs no introduction. My conclusion? Elves stole it.

To hear more about elves, monsters and the undead, stay tuned!

Such a fun afternoon at BMAG today with the Arts Society! When they approached me to give a guided tour of the Staffordshire Hoard gallery, I just about bit their hands off. I can talk about this stuff all day...

Did you know the Staffordshire Hoard helmet is one of only SIX Anglo-Saxon helmets still extant? The reconstruction they have in the gallery really is stunning.