In the early fifteenth century, writers throughout western Europe took notice of unfamiliar newcomers in their midst. These people–described in sources as “baptized heathens,” Egyptians, Bohemians, and more––are now recognized as some of western Europe’s earliest Romani communities. The Roma were initially welcomed as traveling lords, pious Christian penitents, and renowned diviners. Less than a century after their arrival, however, the Empire banished and outlawed all so-called “Gypsies” from the realm. This talk will present insights from my recently completed dissertation, which seeks to explain what changed in the Holy Roman Empire between the decades between first encounter and first expulsion. I will argue that the Roma, hardly a “pariah people” doomed for marginalization, were actually remarkably successful at adapting to early fifteenth-century norms. Their subsequent marginalization points us toward larger transformations in urban charity, hospitality, and attitudes toward strangers at the end of the Middle Ages.

Lane B. Baker is a historian of medieval western Europe with a particularly interest in margins and and minority communities. He has researched and published on medieval maps, popular religious movements, and noise regulations in medieval Europe. At both Stanford and Heidelberg University, he wrote his dissertation on one of the last great migrations of the Middle Ages: the arrival, adaptation, and later marginalization of Romani communities in fifteenth-century German-speaking cities. At the moment, he is broadening this investigation to the cities of the Low Countries and beginning a new project on medieval suburbia.

Informations pratiques :

When 12-12-2025 from 12:30 to 13:30

Where Ghent University, Blandijn Building, ‘Camelot’ Meeting Room (Room 3.30, 3rd floor)

Language English

Organizer Stefan Meysman Contact Stefan.Meysman@UGent.be

Source : UGent