Early medieval bleg

Posted January 4, 2010

As fodder for my students’ research assignment in the early medieval survey (sophomore level), I’m assembling a list of names of early medieval figures, prominent enough that they can be researched in English from a modest regional university library (that at least does own a copy of the Dictionary of the Middle Ages) but not so easy as to take no effort (i.e. no Charlemagne). I’m focusing on the period from about 300-950.

I need approximately 85 names, though, so each student can have their own individual to research and on whom they can share the information. So hit me with the names of your favourite early medieval historical figures: chroniclers, warleaders, queens, abbesses, monks, bishops, kings and the like! Please?

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9 Comments so far

  1. Matt Gabriele on January 5th, 2010

    I’ve done a similar thing with my survey class, so here’s some thoughts off the top of my head:

    Louis the Pious
    Charles the Bald
    Charles the Fat
    Louis the German
    Martin of Tours
    Judith (Chs. Bald’s wife)
    Eusebius of Caesarea
    Augustine of Hippo
    Athanasius of Alexandria
    St. Anthony
    Bede
    Alfred the Great
    Clovis
    Boethius
    Alcuin
    Hrabanus Maurus
    Gregory of Tours

  2. jliedl on January 5th, 2010

    Thanks, Matt! I had about six of those names, already, but more are helpful. How did I miss Gregory of Tours!

  3. meg on January 5th, 2010

    Sedulius Scotus
    Egeria
    Hrotswit of Gandersheim
    Asser
    Ælfric
    Rurik
    Cyril & Methodius
    Al Kindi
    Basil I
    Empress Irene
    Boadicea
    Augustine of Canterbury
    Cassiodorus
    Sts. Patrick, Columba, Bridget
    Alaric, Totila, Attila

  4. theswain on January 5th, 2010

    Isidore of Seville
    Constantine the Great
    Theodoric
    Theodosius
    Jerome
    Columba
    Columbanus
    Theodore of Orleans
    Paul the Deacon
    Arius
    Stilicho
    St. Patrick
    Gildas
    Cuthbert
    Strabo
    Aldhelm
    Adomnan
    Jonas
    Fortunatus
    Baldhild
    Fredegund
    Brunhild
    Maximus the Great
    Vergil the Grammarian

  5. Nancy Reagin on January 5th, 2010

    I’m not a medievalist, but would these do:

    Julian of Norwich (one of my all-time favorites)
    Marjory Kempe
    Eleanor of Acquitaine
    Queen Melisande

  6. Nancy Reagin on January 5th, 2010

    ps–oh, and Hildegarde of Bingen!

  7. jliedl on January 5th, 2010

    My list is beginning to look great, thanks to everyone! Once I get it fully assembled, I’ll share it here, along with some of the assignment details.

  8. magistra on January 7th, 2010

    Einhard
    Hincmar
    Justinian and/or Theodora
    Dhuoda
    Boniface
    Hilda of Whitby
    St Genevieve
    Radegund

  9. Bavardess on January 7th, 2010

    I second Fredegund, Radegund and Brunhild (partly because they have such cool names).