Hug a Medievalist Day is celebrated on March 31. This is a day to demonstrate love to medievalists. These are people who are greatly attracted to the art, culture, and philosophy of the middle ages in Europe. Medievalists are known to study this timeframe’s architecture, literature, music, art, and all other aspects of culture. The idea of celebrating this day comes from Sarah Laseke, who is currently studying for an MS in Medieval Literature at the University of Oxford. She believed that medievalists also deserved an official celebration day, so she established the event on Facebook. Laseke wanted to create a day on which medievalists would be the center of attention.
History of Hug a Medievalist Day
In European history, the medieval period, also known as the Middle Ages, lasted approximately from the fifth to the late fifteenth century. Beginning with the fall of the Western Roman Empire, it also transitioned into the Renaissance and the Age of Discovery. The Middle Ages is the middle period of the three traditional divisions of Western history: classical antiquity, the medieval period, and the modern period.
The medieval period is divided into the early, high, and late Middle Ages. In the Early Middle Ages, population decline, counter-urbanization, the collapse of centralized authority, invasions, and mass migrations of tribes occurred. The migration period’s large-scale movements created new kingdoms in what remained of the Western Roman Empire. During the High Middle Ages, the population of Europe rose significantly due to technological and agricultural advancements that allowed trade to flourish, and the Medieval Warm Period climatic shift that allowed crop yields to increase.
The Late Middle Ages was the most challenging period. It was marked by difficulties and calamities, including plague, famine, and war, which significantly diminished the population of Europe. The Black Death killed about a third of Europeans between 1347 and 1350. Controversy, heresy, and the Western Schism within the Catholic Church followed the kingdoms’ interstate struggle, civil strife, and peasant revolts. Cultural and technological changes reshaped European society as the late middle ages came to an end and the early modern period began.
Hug a Medievalist Day timeline
The start of the Middle Ages and the period lasts until the fifteenth century.
One-third of Europeans die following the outbreak of the bubonic plague.
European society is transformed by cultural and technological developments, and the Late Middle Ages is concluded.
This day has been celebrated by the medieval community since 2011.
Hug a Medievalist Day FAQs
What can you learn from medieval times?
From medieval literature, we can learn its attitudes towards religions, moral and cultural values, and their commonality with the present.
What is medieval known for?
In the Middle Ages, the most dramatic growth occurred. The period was marked by economic and territorial expansion and demographic and urban growth.
Why is it called the medieval period?
Medieval means ‘of the Middle Ages.’ The word medieval has its origins in ‘medi,’ which means ‘middle’ and ‘ev,’ which means ‘age.’
Hug a Medievalist Day Activities
Hug a medievalist
This day is dedicated to hugging a medievalist. Therefore, the perfect way to celebrate it is by hugging a medievalist.
Go to a medieval bar
There are a lot of medieval bars that you can find. You can search for the nearest bar and go there with friends to spend a medieval time together.
Dress as a typical medievalist
One fun way of celebrating this day is by dressing like a typical medieval person. Medieval clothes are beautiful, and they are made from natural materials, such as cotton, linen, or wool.
5 Fun Facts About Medieval Times
Eels were sometimes used as currency
There is a historical record detailing a transaction where 26,275 eels were used as a form of payment to rent a parcel of land.
Shoes were ridiculous
People wore shoes with ridiculously long, pointy toes because they assumed that the longer they were, the better.
Animals were tried and convicted of crimes
Not only were animals convicted of crimes but also found guilty and sentenced to death in Savigny, France.
Every able Englishman had to practice archery
Edward III introduced a law making archery practice compulsory every Sunday to ensure the king always had a steady supply of archers.
Football was banned in England
King Edward II issued a decree banning football in England.
Why We Love Hug a Medievalist Day
It is an opportunity to hug
This day encourages hugs among medievalists, but it can also be applied to every person. Get your hugs started and show your love for others.
It is a day to get to know medievalists
Also, Hug a Medievalist Day can be seen as an opportunity to introduce a wider public to medieval studies. Medieval culture is not so widely spread among people.
Valuable celebration
Not only can you learn about medieval culture or life but also enjoy this day's celebration with medieval fun. It's just like killing two birds with one stone; you get both the knowledge and the fun.
Hug a Medievalist Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | March 31 | Monday |
| 2026 | March 31 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | March 31 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | March 31 | Friday |
| 2029 | March 31 | Saturday |
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