The Unlikely Spies of Medieval Europe
Prof Jenny Benham,
Medieval History, School of History, Archaeology & Religion, Cardiff University
Date: 20th of May 2026
Time: 20:00
Venue: Zoom
Spies were a common feature of political, diplomatic and courtly life in the period of early medieval Europe. In this article, Jenny Benham explores some interesting contemporary representations of spies, in both literature and art. These stories and images reveal key features of the culture and practices surrounding these so-called ‘little birds’ who listened to and passed on important secret information.
About the speaker:
Jenny Benham is Reader in Medieval History and the Co-director of the Centre for Medieval Studies at Cardiff University. She is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Higher Education Academy.
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