This July, I had the pleasure of returning to the International Medieval Congress (IMC) at the University of Leeds, and what a week it was! From the buzz of scholarly panels to late-night dancing at the infamous IMC disco, it was a conference filled with research, reunions, and reflections—both personal and academic.
Things began on Sunday with a hands-on bookbinding workshop, where I learned the delicate art of limp binding. There was something meditative about stitching folios together by hand—a physical and tactile reminder of how the written word was once preserved and passed down. It set a lovely tone for the week.
On Monday morning, I presented my paper, “Legends and Learning: Theological and Philosophical Influences on the Fornaldarsögur”, which explored continental influences on the Old Norse Legendary sagas. It was a packed room, and I was honoured to share a panel with two brilliant scholars working on representations of animals in pre-modern literature and iconography. The diversity of approaches made for a rich discussion.
No rest for the medievalist! Immediately after my panel, I dashed over to co-host a roundtable for Bodies and Being alongside my friends and collaborators Autumn and James. It was a joy to see Autumn again in person—exactly a year since we first met at last year’s IMC (yes, we wore matching Bodies and Being t-shirts this year). We were admittedly a little nervous before the discussion began, espeically due to the hybrid format of our team, but the turnout was fantastic, and the conversation that unfolded was everything we’d hoped for: lively, thoughtful, and entertaining. I particularly enjoyed introducing attendees to the strange and fascinating hybrid human-animal forms in the fornaldarsögur—a topic that intrigued many unfamiliar with these fantastical narratives.
We wrapped up Monday’s events with well-earned drinks at The Old Bar, tucked inside the student union. It was the perfect setting to decompress and share in the excitement of a day well spent.
On Tuesday I attended the book launch for Laura Gathagan’s latest publication. It was especially meaningful as Laura had presented for us at our Bodies and Being speaker series earlier this year. Celebrating her achievement in person was a real joy, and the event underscored the spirit of scholarly generosity that permeated the whole week.
Midweek brought more highlights. On Wednesday, I joined an excursion to Leeds Armouries, where I had the rare opportunity to handle original medieval arms and armour. This hands-on experience brought new depth to my appreciation of medieval martial culture—and came in handy as I watched a reenactment group demonstrate combat techniques from the Wars of the Roses later that day.
On Wednesday evening, the Old Norse scholars gathered for a NECRON social at The Library bar—an annual ritual of laughter, reunion, and storytelling before we inevitably made our way to the IMC disco. The dance floor was full, the vibes were high, and the atmosphere was amazing.
Throughout the week, I also had the pleasure of attending the papers of my friends from Nottingham University: Em Horne, who spoke on the landscapes of the Viking diaspora, and Sam Masters, whose work on dreams in Old Norse literature is as captivating as it is insightful.
IMC 2025 was not just a conference—it was a community in motion. I left Leeds feeling re-energised by the conversations, research, and connections that shape our field. I’m deeply grateful to all those I met—old friends, new faces, and brilliant colleagues alike—and I’m already looking forward to next year’s gathering!
Bodies and Being 