Samantha Katz Seal
@samanthalkseal.bsky.social
Feminist Chaucerian and English prof at U. of New Hampshire. Author of "Father Chaucer: Generating Authority in the CT" (Oxford UP, 2019). In progress: "Chaucer's Alice" and "1381: Making Race in the Peasants' Revolt."
SMH for this 1957 NYT Obit writer who made up an extra husband for Dr. Helen Louise Cohen because he couldn't understand a woman lecturing at Columbia and Hopkins.
"She and Dr. Cohen..."
Nope. She *was* Dr. Cohen (1915, Teachers College, Columbia), medieval lit.
www.nytimes.com/1957/07/20/a...
"She and Dr. Cohen..."
Nope. She *was* Dr. Cohen (1915, Teachers College, Columbia), medieval lit.
www.nytimes.com/1957/07/20/a...
DR. HELEN L. COHEN, AUTHOR, TEACHER (Published 1957)
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:10 PM
SMH for this 1957 NYT Obit writer who made up an extra husband for Dr. Helen Louise Cohen because he couldn't understand a woman lecturing at Columbia and Hopkins.
"She and Dr. Cohen..."
Nope. She *was* Dr. Cohen (1915, Teachers College, Columbia), medieval lit.
www.nytimes.com/1957/07/20/a...
"She and Dr. Cohen..."
Nope. She *was* Dr. Cohen (1915, Teachers College, Columbia), medieval lit.
www.nytimes.com/1957/07/20/a...
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
Truly, I am filled with joy for these families.
And in the end, the only way to free them was to make a deal to end the war, not to keep inflicting violence on Gazans. Netanyahu could have done this a year ago, if he had actually cared about the lives of the hostages above his political career.
And in the end, the only way to free them was to make a deal to end the war, not to keep inflicting violence on Gazans. Netanyahu could have done this a year ago, if he had actually cared about the lives of the hostages above his political career.
Matan and Einav Zangauker are finally reunited after he was freed from Hamas captivity this morning.
📸 via IDF Spokesperson Office
📸 via IDF Spokesperson Office
October 13, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Truly, I am filled with joy for these families.
And in the end, the only way to free them was to make a deal to end the war, not to keep inflicting violence on Gazans. Netanyahu could have done this a year ago, if he had actually cared about the lives of the hostages above his political career.
And in the end, the only way to free them was to make a deal to end the war, not to keep inflicting violence on Gazans. Netanyahu could have done this a year ago, if he had actually cared about the lives of the hostages above his political career.
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
Yom Kippur begins at sunset on 1st October. Here is the Initial-word panel at the beginning of Kol Nidrei.
#YomKippur
Bodleian Library MS. Michael 619; Maḥzor for the High Holidays; Western Ashkenazi rite (Tripartite Maḥzor, volume 3); 1320-1330 CE; f.100v @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
#YomKippur
Bodleian Library MS. Michael 619; Maḥzor for the High Holidays; Western Ashkenazi rite (Tripartite Maḥzor, volume 3); 1320-1330 CE; f.100v @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
September 27, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Yom Kippur begins at sunset on 1st October. Here is the Initial-word panel at the beginning of Kol Nidrei.
#YomKippur
Bodleian Library MS. Michael 619; Maḥzor for the High Holidays; Western Ashkenazi rite (Tripartite Maḥzor, volume 3); 1320-1330 CE; f.100v @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
#YomKippur
Bodleian Library MS. Michael 619; Maḥzor for the High Holidays; Western Ashkenazi rite (Tripartite Maḥzor, volume 3); 1320-1330 CE; f.100v @bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
@medievaljews.bsky.social and I were quoted in The Times last week about a project we've been helping on to commemorate London's medieval Jewish cemetery. A free exhibition on the site is now at St Giles Cripplegate church until 16 September. #medievalsky
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Britain’s oldest Jewish cemetery discovered at the Barbican
A team of amateur historians found the site, which dates from Norman times, just outside London’s ancient Roman wall
www.thetimes.com
September 8, 2025 at 11:14 AM
@medievaljews.bsky.social and I were quoted in The Times last week about a project we've been helping on to commemorate London's medieval Jewish cemetery. A free exhibition on the site is now at St Giles Cripplegate church until 16 September. #medievalsky
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
www.thetimes.com/uk/london/ar...
Not explicitly medieval, but a great convo that's definitely of interest to medievalists who work on premodern race!
Really enjoyed this conversation with @phoebebovy.bsky.social at the Canadian Jewish News on the current state of Jews in academia, and what lessons we can learn from the European Jewish past.
Full episode: thecjn.ca/opinion/cour...
August 19, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Not explicitly medieval, but a great convo that's definitely of interest to medievalists who work on premodern race!
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
An ongoing thread of some excellent books by #womenintranslation - all read since last August. 🧵
#WITMonth #TranslationThurs #BookSky #ReadWomen 💙📚
#WITMonth #TranslationThurs #BookSky #ReadWomen 💙📚
August 14, 2025 at 9:12 AM
An ongoing thread of some excellent books by #womenintranslation - all read since last August. 🧵
#WITMonth #TranslationThurs #BookSky #ReadWomen 💙📚
#WITMonth #TranslationThurs #BookSky #ReadWomen 💙📚
Very excited to read this!
Want to read an “erudite, ambitious & richly global” book that “sets a new standard in economic history”? Then my forthcoming book #Economica is for you. If you’re in the UK, for tonight only you can get 25% off if you preorder @waterstones.bsky.social: www.waterstones.com/book/economi... #SUMMER25
Economica by Victoria Bateman | Waterstones
Buy Economica by Victoria Bateman from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
www.waterstones.com
August 14, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Very excited to read this!
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
My book, Love and anti-Judaism in medieval English romance: Typologies of violence and desire, with @manchesterup.bsky.social, is coming out next month! I would be delighted if you might consider ordering a copy for your libraries 💚
August 8, 2025 at 9:56 AM
My book, Love and anti-Judaism in medieval English romance: Typologies of violence and desire, with @manchesterup.bsky.social, is coming out next month! I would be delighted if you might consider ordering a copy for your libraries 💚
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
Medieval History Job Alert! University of Tennessee, where I used to work. Unbelievably strong medieval studies. Unbelievable that they are hiring in this climate! Please share this post. jobs.chronicle.com/job/37862790...
Assistant/Associate Professor of Medieval History (1100-1500) - University of Tenn, Knoxville job with University of Tennessee Department of History | 37862790
The Department of History at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville invites applications for a tenure-track professor of medieval history (1100-1500).
jobs.chronicle.com
July 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Medieval History Job Alert! University of Tennessee, where I used to work. Unbelievably strong medieval studies. Unbelievable that they are hiring in this climate! Please share this post. jobs.chronicle.com/job/37862790...
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
"...graduates in computer science, computer engineering and graphic design all have unemployment rates at 7% or greater; young workers who hold a number of much-maligned humanities degrees—including English, history and philosophy—are all more hirable."
I didn’t find any of the explanations for what’s going on with the bad job market for new college grads satisfying, so I spent a week trying to figure out what was up and what it means for the larger economy. Turns out it’s not AI! Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
What the Tough Job Market for New College Grads Says About the Economy
A sudden lack of career mobility is a problem for every worker.
www.bloomberg.com
July 17, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"...graduates in computer science, computer engineering and graphic design all have unemployment rates at 7% or greater; young workers who hold a number of much-maligned humanities degrees—including English, history and philosophy—are all more hirable."
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
Joseph Ibn Hayyim marks the beginning of Torah portion Pinchas (פִּינְחָס) with this image of Pinchas holding a javelin and shield.
#ParashahPictures
Bodleian Library MS Kennicott 1; 'The Kennicott Bible'; 1476 CE; La Coruña, Spain; f.92r @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
#ParashahPictures
Bodleian Library MS Kennicott 1; 'The Kennicott Bible'; 1476 CE; La Coruña, Spain; f.92r @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
July 13, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Joseph Ibn Hayyim marks the beginning of Torah portion Pinchas (פִּינְחָס) with this image of Pinchas holding a javelin and shield.
#ParashahPictures
Bodleian Library MS Kennicott 1; 'The Kennicott Bible'; 1476 CE; La Coruña, Spain; f.92r @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
#ParashahPictures
Bodleian Library MS Kennicott 1; 'The Kennicott Bible'; 1476 CE; La Coruña, Spain; f.92r @bodleianlibraries.bsky.social
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
"Ray, who is in his late 20s, was born in a refugee camp in Nepal and came to the U.S. as a kid. He was recently deported to Bhutan — where he had never lived in and where his family faced persecution. Within 24 hours of his arrival, Ray said Bhutanese authorities ordered him to leave."
A refugee deported to Bhutan by the U.S. finds himself stranded and stateless
Once deported to Bhutan, some Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees say they are told to leave. Many have since disappeared, while others are homeless and stateless, according to immigration advocates.
www.npr.org
July 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
"Ray, who is in his late 20s, was born in a refugee camp in Nepal and came to the U.S. as a kid. He was recently deported to Bhutan — where he had never lived in and where his family faced persecution. Within 24 hours of his arrival, Ray said Bhutanese authorities ordered him to leave."
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
FANTASTIC post here from Lucy- check it out!
This is me reflecting on today's 'Chaucer discovery,' and thinking about which kinds of textual (and textile) accuracies we decide are important. lucyallengoss.substack.com/p/another-ch...
A(nother) Chaucer Mystery and the 'Canterbury Embroidery': Whose Work Matters?
It’s a fairly rare thing that medieval literature makes the news.
lucyallengoss.substack.com
July 16, 2025 at 6:40 PM
FANTASTIC post here from Lucy- check it out!
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
I'm so thrilled to have this published! Starting from a chat over lunch at @girtoncollege.bsky.social, James Wade & I chipped away at this & have made some fascinating discoveries.
The actual article should be published later today. In the meantime, more here: www.cam.ac.uk/stories/song...
The actual article should be published later today. In the meantime, more here: www.cam.ac.uk/stories/song...
July 16, 2025 at 8:28 AM
I'm so thrilled to have this published! Starting from a chat over lunch at @girtoncollege.bsky.social, James Wade & I chipped away at this & have made some fascinating discoveries.
The actual article should be published later today. In the meantime, more here: www.cam.ac.uk/stories/song...
The actual article should be published later today. In the meantime, more here: www.cam.ac.uk/stories/song...
Saving this 1911 poster for the next time I teach the Wife of Bath’s Tale and gender essentialism.
July 16, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Saving this 1911 poster for the next time I teach the Wife of Bath’s Tale and gender essentialism.
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
Fellowships at the (stunning) Beinecke are open for scholars local + far (due Jul 31) + grad students (due Sept 15), and you're able to use materials from other Yale special collections:
beinecke.library.yale.edu/programs/fel...
beinecke.library.yale.edu/programs/fel...
Fellowships
beinecke.library.yale.edu
July 14, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Fellowships at the (stunning) Beinecke are open for scholars local + far (due Jul 31) + grad students (due Sept 15), and you're able to use materials from other Yale special collections:
beinecke.library.yale.edu/programs/fel...
beinecke.library.yale.edu/programs/fel...
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Medieval History we’ve asked eight distinguished historians each to use an article from the journal’s first five years as a jumping off point to discuss historiographical trends. @tandfresearch.bsky.social
June 8, 2025 at 1:49 PM
To mark the 50th anniversary of the Journal of Medieval History we’ve asked eight distinguished historians each to use an article from the journal’s first five years as a jumping off point to discuss historiographical trends. @tandfresearch.bsky.social
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
📣 CFP: Shakespeare Quarterly special issue
Shakespeare’s Twenty-First Century / The Twenty-First Century’s Shakespeare
This will be Vanessa I. Corredera, Arthur L. Little, Jr. and my first issue as Editors! Please submit your finest!
More info: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Shakespeare’s Twenty-First Century / The Twenty-First Century’s Shakespeare
This will be Vanessa I. Corredera, Arthur L. Little, Jr. and my first issue as Editors! Please submit your finest!
More info: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
June 20, 2025 at 12:19 PM
📣 CFP: Shakespeare Quarterly special issue
Shakespeare’s Twenty-First Century / The Twenty-First Century’s Shakespeare
This will be Vanessa I. Corredera, Arthur L. Little, Jr. and my first issue as Editors! Please submit your finest!
More info: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Shakespeare’s Twenty-First Century / The Twenty-First Century’s Shakespeare
This will be Vanessa I. Corredera, Arthur L. Little, Jr. and my first issue as Editors! Please submit your finest!
More info: networks.h-net.org/group/announ...
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
In the extraordinarily unlikely event that anybody has managed to miss the *very subtle* launch of the CFP this week for 'Borders, Boundaries, Barriers: Real and Imagined in the Middle Ages' just sharing this again...
Call for papers! The "Borders, Boundaries and Barriers" conference will be here at the University of Oxford from 20–21 April 2026! See the attached flyer for details!
#conference #history #middleages
#conference #history #middleages
June 20, 2025 at 11:39 AM
In the extraordinarily unlikely event that anybody has managed to miss the *very subtle* launch of the CFP this week for 'Borders, Boundaries, Barriers: Real and Imagined in the Middle Ages' just sharing this again...
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
Current RHS funding programmes include our next round of 'Early Career Fellowship Grants' to support academic activities. Grants are for a maximum of £2000 for early career historians to complete a discrete project.
The call for this next round runs until 5 September bit.ly/3ZAJfjK #Skystorians
The call for this next round runs until 5 September bit.ly/3ZAJfjK #Skystorians
June 20, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Current RHS funding programmes include our next round of 'Early Career Fellowship Grants' to support academic activities. Grants are for a maximum of £2000 for early career historians to complete a discrete project.
The call for this next round runs until 5 September bit.ly/3ZAJfjK #Skystorians
The call for this next round runs until 5 September bit.ly/3ZAJfjK #Skystorians
Hands down, my favorite admin duty is serving on my uni's Fulbright interview committee. The absolute passion and intellectual ambition of the students who apply, whether or not they get an award, is deeply inspiring. It is heartbreaking to think of this opportunity being taken away from them.
I was the Fulbright scholar to Nepal in 2016-2017. The Fulbright not only gave me to ability to conduct 2 years of ethnographic fieldwork but also made it possible for me to connect my work to other scholars and institutions all over South Asia.
This loss is staggering.
thehill.com/homenews/edu...
This loss is staggering.
thehill.com/homenews/edu...
thehill.com
June 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
Hands down, my favorite admin duty is serving on my uni's Fulbright interview committee. The absolute passion and intellectual ambition of the students who apply, whether or not they get an award, is deeply inspiring. It is heartbreaking to think of this opportunity being taken away from them.
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
Latest coverage of @medimurdermaps.bsky.social:
Noblewoman may have ordered brazen murder of priest outside St Paul’s in 1337
Historian mapping medieval murders has evidence John Ford’s stabbing was revenge hit by impenitent ex-lover
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
#History 🗃️
Noblewoman may have ordered brazen murder of priest outside St Paul’s in 1337
Historian mapping medieval murders has evidence John Ford’s stabbing was revenge hit by impenitent ex-lover
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
#History 🗃️
Noblewoman may have ordered brazen murder of priest outside St Paul’s in 1337
Historian mapping medieval murders has evidence notorious stabbing was revenge hit by impenitent ex-lover
www.theguardian.com
June 6, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Latest coverage of @medimurdermaps.bsky.social:
Noblewoman may have ordered brazen murder of priest outside St Paul’s in 1337
Historian mapping medieval murders has evidence John Ford’s stabbing was revenge hit by impenitent ex-lover
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
#History 🗃️
Noblewoman may have ordered brazen murder of priest outside St Paul’s in 1337
Historian mapping medieval murders has evidence John Ford’s stabbing was revenge hit by impenitent ex-lover
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
#History 🗃️
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
They want more MOMS at home. And not just because they hate women.
Their *economic* model depends on unpaid labor. And the most effective way to coerce unpaid labor is to create a second class of people and teach them that they're only "naturally" suited for labor they're forced to do for free.
Their *economic* model depends on unpaid labor. And the most effective way to coerce unpaid labor is to create a second class of people and teach them that they're only "naturally" suited for labor they're forced to do for free.
May 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
They want more MOMS at home. And not just because they hate women.
Their *economic* model depends on unpaid labor. And the most effective way to coerce unpaid labor is to create a second class of people and teach them that they're only "naturally" suited for labor they're forced to do for free.
Their *economic* model depends on unpaid labor. And the most effective way to coerce unpaid labor is to create a second class of people and teach them that they're only "naturally" suited for labor they're forced to do for free.
Reposted by Samantha Katz Seal
If you missed last week's webinar: "Muslim-Jewish Relations in the Middle Ages: A Conversation Between Sara Lipton and Hussein Fancy", it is now up on our YouTube channel:
youtu.be/cFK_469PkNs?...
youtu.be/cFK_469PkNs?...
Muslim-Jewish Relations in the Middle Ages: A Conversation Between Sara Lipton and Hussein Fancy
YouTube video by Medieval Academy
youtu.be
May 1, 2025 at 5:12 PM
If you missed last week's webinar: "Muslim-Jewish Relations in the Middle Ages: A Conversation Between Sara Lipton and Hussein Fancy", it is now up on our YouTube channel:
youtu.be/cFK_469PkNs?...
youtu.be/cFK_469PkNs?...