Being an Animal in The Middle Ages – 7th August 2026

Our 2026 issue. Being creatures that we derive food, labour, and companionship from, humanity’s relationship with animals feels inexorable, and has long preceded our modern lives. This, of course, includes the Middle Ages, the people and society of which were utterly entwined with animal bodies and lives. What is, after all, the chivalric knight without his noble steed? How could manuscript culture exist and thrive without its vellum, quills, and inkhorns? Not only did animals live through the Middle Ages as we did, but their lives were also as real as their human counterparts’. Likewise, it is easy to forget that humans are also animals: what, then, does it mean for humans to live as animals in the Middle Ages? 

This issue seeks to explore, expand, and interrogate all senses of the words used in our title.

Pirie, Anna, “Re-centralising the Animal Body in Bookmaking with Exeter Book Riddle 89”, York Medieval Journal 1 (2026)

Powell, Emily. “Clothing and Transformation of the Human Body in Biclarel and Melion“, York Medieval Journal 1 (2026)

Pym, William. “The Threat of Animalistic Impurity in Cleanness“, York Medieval Journal 1 (2026)

Author Profiles

Anna Pirie is a current MA student in Medieval Literatures and Languages at the University of York. She completed her BA at the University of Manchester. Her current research regards the imagery and language regarding the mouth within Old English poetry. 

Emily Powell is a current MA student in Medieval Literatures and Languages at the University of York, having completed her BA at The University of Aberystwyth. She is interested in Chaucer, Middle English romance and medievalism.

William Pym is a current MA student in Medieval Literatures and Languages at the University of York, having completed his BA there also. He is interested in the Gawain Manuscript and dream visions, with a focus on virtual pilgrimage.