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‘Terror of kings’: why the 1066 appearance of Halley’s Comet terrified the medieval world

The appearance of Halley’s Comet in 1066, as captured in the Bayeux Tapestry, was seen as a sign of impending change. Giles Gasper, Professor in High Medieval History, Department of History, and Brian Tanner, Emeritus Professor in the Department of Physics, tell us more about the ‘terror of kings’.
A depiction of Halley's comet stitched onto the Bayeux Tapestry. The comet has a ball of fire and a stem with flames coming from the stem like a rocket.

The little‑known 14th century battle that has shaped English, Scottish and French relations

Dr Alex Brown from our Department of History and our Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies delves into the history of a little-known battle that had a huge influence on English, Scottish and French relations.
A white road sign stating Neville's Cross.

New light and sound experience brings Durham Castle’s Norman past to life

Visitors to Durham Castle can step back nearly 1,000 years thanks to a new immersive light and sound installation in one of England's oldest Norman buildings.
Three people smiling at the camera in an old chapel with sandstone pillars. A colourful projection covers them and the wall behind them. The projection is reminiscent of The Bayeux Tapestry.

£1.3m project investigates Japanese Empire’s impact through its globetrotting singers

We’re hosting a new £1.3m (€1.5m) research project, led by Dr Amanda Hsieh, shedding light on the history and impact of the Japanese Empire on the Pacific through music.
A snow capped mountain with a lake and cherry blossom tree in the foreground

Medieval England had a defamation problem: how people used the law to fight rumours, insults and rivals

Reputation mattered deeply in medieval England. Dr Alex Brown, Associate Professor in Durham University's Department of History and a member of IMEMS, examines how people turned to the courts to defend themselves against rumours, slander and damaging accusations.
Man and woman and people around. In a vintage book Les Evangiles, edited by Curmet, 1863, Paris

Drought, water shortages and crop failures: how does the medieval warm period compare with today?

A heatwave lasting four months, followed by water shortages and crop failures. This is England in the 13th century, not the 21st. In this article, Dr Alex Brown from our Department of History and our Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies says we should heed the lessons of the past when it comes to dealing with climate extremes.
A medieval artwork depicting peasants working in a field overseen by a master pointing a stick

PhD candidate Lucy Jameson wins the Singer Prize from the British Society for the History of Science

Congratulations to Lucy Jameson, who has won the Singer Prize from the British Society for the History of Science for her paper ‘Pass the Parcel: Disabled Expertise, Prosthetics of Productivity, and Scientific Management in the British Post Office, 1918–1921’.
Post Office Doorway

Medieval plague survivors left us graffiti, court records and a lesson for COVID

Memories of pandemics are often contentious. They can be disputed, uncomfortable and politically charged. Dr Alex Brown from our Department of History and our Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies examines how the Black Death was chronicled in medieval times and explores how this history can inform commemorations of modern pandemics.
An old gravestone with a skull and crossbones engraved in it.

Exploring the hidden histories of the female body

For many women, childbirth is transformative. For Dr Erin Maglaque from our Department of History, it also sparked an exploration into how history has shaped understanding, expectation and perceptions of the female body.
Seventeenth century illustrations of women undertaking what were considered feminine occupations such as cooking, sewing and weaving

Durham Arts and Humanities subjects rank among the UK’s best in student-focused Unifresher rankings

Durham University’s Arts and Humanities subjects have performed strongly in the latest Unifresher subject rankings, helping to secure Durham’s position as the UK’s leading Russell Group university in the Unifresher 2027 Rankings.
students looking at phone with view of cathedral

Durham and Southwestern sign new Master’s pathway agreement

Durham University has established a new partnership with Southwestern University (Georgetown, USA), creating a streamlined progression route for qualified Southwestern graduates onto a selection of Durham taught Master’s programmes, including many in Arts and Humanities.
Durham and Southwestern sign new Master’s pathway agreement

G/R/T History month

Alex Barber co-organises Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month event with academic and creative collaborators
Drawing of a cartwheel in landscape