Ariana Ellis πŸ’€'s Avatar

Ariana Ellis πŸ’€

@writingmedieval.bsky.social

(She/her) Medieval/Early Modern PhD @UofT History I Writer I Social/Sensory history I DH I Death studies I Video games I Puns!

546 Followers  |  770 Following  |  18 Posts  |  Joined: 05.08.2023  |  2.4649

Latest posts by writingmedieval.bsky.social on Bluesky

A photo of me (reddish hair, glasses) wearing purple beaded earrings and a black dress.

A photo of me (reddish hair, glasses) wearing purple beaded earrings and a black dress.

Obsessed with these 3D beaded earrings my talented and brilliant friend, @writingmedieval.bsky.social, made for me for my birthday! I'm very lucky to have such thoughtful and kind friends and colleagues.

10.07.2025 15:16 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

They look so amazing on you!! 😊❀️❀️

15.07.2025 11:34 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

πŸ‘€πŸ‘€πŸ‘€

03.07.2025 05:18 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Thank you!! Casebooks sound really interesting too; I spend my days reading diaries and execution records so I’m there with you πŸ˜‚

30.06.2025 22:51 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Other than Astrologaster, the ones I’ve managed to find are Hampton Court, and an old Tudors tv series find the item game. I think the monarchs are briefly mentioned in Civ and/or Crusader Kings, but I’m surprised there isn’t more about them!

30.06.2025 22:46 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Yes this is a great one! She’s mentioned a few times, which works well.

30.06.2025 22:44 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

The monarchs ideally, but even the general period is great as long as the game is set in England!

30.06.2025 22:40 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Gamers out there (particularly with a historical bent!), can you help me find video games that feature the Tudors? I’ve been searching and coming up with very little!

#videogames #historygaming #tudors #gaming

30.06.2025 21:42 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 7    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
The cover of The Middle Ages in Computer Games by Robert Houghton features a medieval theme blended with digital aesthetics. The title is prominently displayed in a pixelated font, suggesting the intersection of history and gaming.

A subtle image of a sword is integrated into the background, reinforcing the medieval theme. The dark grid-like texture adds a modern, digital feel, aligning with the book's focus on computer games.

Games with a medieval setting are commercially lucrative and reach a truly massive audience. Moreover, they can engage their players in a manner that is not only different, but in certain aspects, more profound than traditional literary or cinematic forms of medievalism. However, although it is important to understand the versions of the Middle Ages presented by these games, how players engage with these medievalist worlds, and why particular representational trends emerge in this most modern medium, there has hitherto been little scholarship devoted to them.


This book explores the distinct nature of medievalism in digital games across a range of themes, from the portrayal of grotesque yet romantic conflict to conflicting depictions of the Church and religion. It likewise considers the distinctions between medievalist games and those of other periods, underlining their emphasis on fantasy, roleplay and hardcore elements, and their consequences for depictions of morality, race, gender and sexuality. Ultimately the book argues that while medievalist games are thoroughly influenced by medievalist and ludic tropes, they are nonetheless representative of a distinct new form of medievalism. It engages with the vast literature surrounding historical game studies, game design, and medievalism, and considers hundreds of games from across genres, from Assassin's Creed and Baldur's Gate to Crusader Kings and The Witcher series. In doing so, it provides a vital illustration of the state of the field and a cornerstone for future research and teaching.

The cover of The Middle Ages in Computer Games by Robert Houghton features a medieval theme blended with digital aesthetics. The title is prominently displayed in a pixelated font, suggesting the intersection of history and gaming. A subtle image of a sword is integrated into the background, reinforcing the medieval theme. The dark grid-like texture adds a modern, digital feel, aligning with the book's focus on computer games. Games with a medieval setting are commercially lucrative and reach a truly massive audience. Moreover, they can engage their players in a manner that is not only different, but in certain aspects, more profound than traditional literary or cinematic forms of medievalism. However, although it is important to understand the versions of the Middle Ages presented by these games, how players engage with these medievalist worlds, and why particular representational trends emerge in this most modern medium, there has hitherto been little scholarship devoted to them. This book explores the distinct nature of medievalism in digital games across a range of themes, from the portrayal of grotesque yet romantic conflict to conflicting depictions of the Church and religion. It likewise considers the distinctions between medievalist games and those of other periods, underlining their emphasis on fantasy, roleplay and hardcore elements, and their consequences for depictions of morality, race, gender and sexuality. Ultimately the book argues that while medievalist games are thoroughly influenced by medievalist and ludic tropes, they are nonetheless representative of a distinct new form of medievalism. It engages with the vast literature surrounding historical game studies, game design, and medievalism, and considers hundreds of games from across genres, from Assassin's Creed and Baldur's Gate to Crusader Kings and The Witcher series. In doing so, it provides a vital illustration of the state of the field and a cornerstone for future research and teaching.

511. THE MIDDLE AGES IN COMPUTER GAMES: LUDIC APPROACHES TO THE MEDIEVAL AND MEDIEVALISM

πŸ‘‰ www.thevideogamelibrary.org/book/the-mid...

@robehoughton.bsky.social #GTM #GamingThePast @midagesmodgames.bsky.social #Booksky #Gaming #GameStudies #Ludology #MedievalSky #BaldursGate #TheWitcher

23.12.2024 14:07 β€” πŸ‘ 28    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I love that stage! With games there’s always so many possibilities it’s hard to decide what approach to take. I’ve definitely never seen students as engaged as when they know there’s room for play- such exciting pedagogical potential!

22.05.2025 15:05 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Games and history community- any recommendations?

22.05.2025 15:02 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I’ve taught courses on the Middle Ages and video games with games in the weekly readings! I pick indie games on steam for PC and Mac (and mobile if possible!) that are low $. For any AAA games discussed in class I either record my gameplay or find silent playthroughs. Worked well so far!

22.05.2025 15:01 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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Amazing talk by Professor Julia Rombough happening next week at the University of Toronto and over Zoom next week on Thursday, March 13!! (Details below) @decimauot.bsky.social @writingmedieval.bsky.social @crosehistorian.bsky.social #earlymodern

03.03.2025 23:08 β€” πŸ‘ 16    πŸ” 6    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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-Tomorrow (February 12th) at 12pmEST-

Nicholas Terpstra and Colin Rose will reflect on ten years since the release of the first DECIMA WebGIS. They will share their successes using DH for pedagogy, and their struggles planning for sustainability.

Register to attend here:
rsa.org/events/Event...

11.02.2025 16:39 β€” πŸ‘ 10    πŸ” 3    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 1

Out there in the world ☺️

10.01.2025 10:21 β€” πŸ‘ 11    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I can’t wait to read your thoughts on the project! Fingers crossed there should be an article out about Accessing Anna in the not too distant future…

Go check out Dr. LΓ³pez’s book here: www.routledge.com/Sonic-Pasts-...! Itβ€˜s still on sale!

11.01.2025 23:26 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Perfect! I shall send it along to you! :)

30.12.2024 22:27 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Feeling Medieval. Immersive Pedagogy | What is Medieval? No results returned.

It’s so nice to find you on here!!

I have a chapter out now that details my approach to games and pedagogy! It’s just here: www.brepolsonline.net/doi/epdf/10.... but let me know if you can’t access it and I can email the chapter to you! :)

30.12.2024 22:23 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Hello there! Thank you, just making a proper switch over from the blue bird app, so nice to find so many familiar faces here πŸ˜ƒ

30.12.2024 22:22 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Me too! And our wonderful DM! πŸ’œ

16.12.2024 08:32 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

You drew her so gorgeously I love her so much!! 😭😭❀️❀️

14.12.2024 04:57 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Renaissance Quarterly | Cambridge Core Renaissance Quarterly - Barbara Fuchs, Carina L. Johnson, Brian J. Maxson, John R. Decker

🚨 #Skystorians: @cambridgeup.bsky.social, publisher of 'Renaissance Quarterly', has "temporarily enabled free access to all articles published since the 1st of January 2023; this will continue for all new articles published through the 31st of December this year" πŸ—ƒοΈ #EarlyModern
shorturl.at/BOw6L

02.12.2024 18:16 β€” πŸ‘ 73    πŸ” 53    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 2

Ever wondered why walking around museums is weirdly tiring? At normal speed our legs act like pendulums, swinging forward from the hip & saving us a huge amount of energy. In "museum shuffle" our muscles must do ALL the work of constant readjustment. So cake in the cafe is scientifically justified πŸ₯³

08.12.2024 11:20 β€” πŸ‘ 25372    πŸ” 2820    πŸ’¬ 750    πŸ“Œ 490

😊❀️❀️❀️

12.01.2024 15:30 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
An image of yarn in a long pan. The top is black and it fades into a smokey yellow and then deep orange at the bottom. The colorway looks like a fiery image.

An image of yarn in a long pan. The top is black and it fades into a smokey yellow and then deep orange at the bottom. The colorway looks like a fiery image.

Dante's Inferno or an upcoming limited edition medieval inspired Halloween colorway? Stay tuned! #RepublicOfYarnia

18.09.2023 14:57 β€” πŸ‘ 57    πŸ” 4    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 2
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Check out this stunning trumpet modelled by our talented DECIMA Project RA, Adam Julien, as part of the ongoing reconstruction of Cosimo I de' Medici's 1560 entry into Siena! You can check out more of Adam's work at: adamjulien.com. @crosehistorian.bsky.social, @writingmedieval.bsky.social

15.09.2023 23:25 β€” πŸ‘ 8    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
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If you followed me on Twitter before, welcome to the same nerdery! Did you know that the medieval church had to ban circle dances in churchyards?

05.08.2023 20:42 β€” πŸ‘ 13    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

@writingmedieval is following 20 prominent accounts