January 28 is the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church as well as one of the most influential European philosophers. Born around 1225 in Roccasecca, in the Italian county of Aquino, Thomas…
On December 11, the world celebrates International Mountain Day! This year marks the 15th anniversary of the event, which was officially established by the UN General Assembly in 2003. The importance of mountains lies not only…
Illumination from the manuscript "Recueil des rois de France", ms. Français 2848, f. 146v, 16th century, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Département des manuscrits, Paris.
Welcome to a new weekly column: Folia's Floral Friday! Every week we will bring you some of the most delightful illuminations, initials, marginalia, borders, and details with a floral theme. Spring all year around! Illumination from a Book of…
“Hell”, illumination from the manuscript Les Très Riches Heures du Duc de Berry, Ms. 65, c. 108r, Bibliothèque du Château de Chantilly.
October 13 is the feast day of Edward the Confessor, the second-to-last Anglo-Saxon king of England ruling from 1042 to 1066. While many historians debate over his success as king, his very nickname suggests a…
Earlier today we had the chance to talk about two Amazon queens, Marpesia and Lampedo. But what about the Amazon tribe itself? Boccaccio's main source, the ancient Greek historian Ephorus of Cyme, describes the rise of…
September 30: on the feast day of Saint Jerome, the patron saint of translation (and Bible translator himself), the world celebrates International Translation Day! For most of us, translators are somewhat of an "invisible presence"…