Being an Animal in The Middle Ages

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. Creative interpretations of the title and the terms included – ‘being’, ‘animal’, and ‘Middle Ages’ – are welcome. 

Submissions for this issue are now closed.