Chivalric literature and tournament culture in the Low Countries and Northern France (1330-1550)
The aim of this project is to trace all instances of the use of chivalric myths in courtly and urban culture in France, the Low Countries, and northern Italy during the later Middle Ages. At this time, the French language enjoyed considerable prestige and functioned as a language of culture. By 'use of chivalric myths', we mean the use of references to past chivalry (Arthurian, Trojan or Carolingian) in the public or semi-public sphere for purposes ranging from political appropriation (e.g. claiming a Trojan or Arthurian ancestry) to the pleasure of owning and reading illuminated manuscripts and organising performances in which protagonists embody literary characters.
This postdoctoral research will focus on the relationship between chivalric literature and tournament culture in the Low Countries and northern France from 1330 to 1550. The aim is to analyse how widely circulated Arthurian tales influenced the conception and staging of tournaments, particularly the Pas d'armes, and how these events became privileged venues for expressing chivalric values such as courtesy, prowess and loyalty. The researcher will also examine how organisers and participants adopted literary models and the social and political purposes of tournaments as spaces for interaction and distinction between princes, nobles, and urban elites. Sources will include chronicles, literary accounts and urban and princely financial accounts. The project will also highlight the evolution of literary tastes and social practices throughout the fifteenth century, demonstrating how chivalric culture adapted to changes at the princely court and in urban society.
This is what you will be doing
- Designing and conducting research under the guidance of the project leader, resulting in at least two peer-reviewed academic publications in (inter)national scientific journals, edited volumes, and/or monographs;
- Supplying data for a database which will be constructed together with other members of the research network;
- Making a critical edition of the chronicle of Guillaume Laseur, Histoire de Gaston IV, comte de Foix (Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, MS Ham. 606), together with the researchers based in Zürich;
- Co-organizing expert meetings and a symposium at the end of the project;
- Participating in committees and working groups, as well as performing administrative tasks.
This what we ask of you
- PhD in a relevant field: history, cultural history, literary history, book studies or a related field;
- Demonstrable experience of publishing in leading international academic journals;
- Demonstrable experience of conducting research in archives containing material from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries;
- Demonstrable affinity with communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills;
- Good command of (Middle) Dutch, (Middle) French, and English.
This is what we offer you
- We offer full-time (38 hours per week) employment as Researcher 4 (postdoc). The initial contract will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation after 9 months, the contract will be extended with two years. The preferred starting date is 1 October 2026;
- A creative role in which personal initiative and input are highly valued;
- An enthusiastic and professional international and interdisciplinary team;
- An inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
This is where you'll be working
At the UvA, you will work closely with the project leader, Mario Damen. The project is embedded within the research groups ‘Power and Society in the Later Middle Ages’ and the ‘Amsterdam Centre for Urban History’ (ACUH). These research groups form part of the Amsterdam School for Historical Studies (ASH) at the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR) within the Faculty of Humanities at the UvA. You will also become a member of the national Dutch Research School for Medieval Studies.
The Department of History, European Studies and Religious Studies (GER) has a vacancy for a postdoctoral research position for three years, 1.0 FTE. This position is part of the research project ‘Vivre le mythe. Le reenactment chevaleresque en Italie et en France (ca. 1380-1559)’, funded by the Schweizer Nationalfonds (SNF), and led by Richard Trachsler, Full Professor of Medieval French Literature (Zurich), Ilaria Molteni, Senior Lecturer in Medieval Art History (Lausanne), and Mario Damen, Associate Professor of Medieval History (Amsterdam).
This is what you will be doing
- Designing and conducting research under the guidance of the project leader, resulting in at least two peer-reviewed academic publications in (inter)national scientific journals, edited volumes, and/or monographs;
- Supplying data for a database which will be constructed together with other members of the research network;
- Making a critical edition of the chronicle of Guillaume Laseur, Histoire de Gaston IV, comte de Foix (Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, MS Ham. 606), together with the researchers based in Zürich;
- Co-organizing expert meetings and a symposium at the end of the project;
- Participating in committees and working groups, as well as performing administrative tasks.
This what we ask of you
- PhD in a relevant field: history, cultural history, literary history, book studies or a related field;
- Demonstrable experience of publishing in leading international academic journals;
- Demonstrable experience of conducting research in archives containing material from the fourteenth to sixteenth centuries;
- Demonstrable affinity with communicating academic research to non-academic audiences;
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills;
- Good command of (Middle) Dutch, (Middle) French, and English.
This is what we offer you
- We offer full-time (38 hours per week) employment as Researcher 4 (postdoc). The initial contract will be for one year. Contingent on a positive performance evaluation after 9 months, the contract will be extended with two years. The preferred starting date is 1 October 2026;
- A creative role in which personal initiative and input are highly valued;
- An enthusiastic and professional international and interdisciplinary team;
- An inspiring academic and international working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
This is where you'll be working
At the UvA, you will work closely with the project leader, Mario Damen. The project is embedded within the research groups ‘Power and Society in the Later Middle Ages’ and the ‘Amsterdam Centre for Urban History’ (ACUH). These research groups form part of the Amsterdam School for Historical Studies (ASH) at the Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR) within the Faculty of Humanities at the UvA. You will also become a member of the national Dutch Research School for Medieval Studies.
Questions?
For questions about the position or department, you can contact us at:
Mario Damen: m.j.m.damen@uva.nl
Application
If you recognize yourself in the profile and are interested in the position, we look forward to receiving your application. Applications must include the following information and be submitted as a single PDF file:
- A letter of motivation;
- A research proposal (max. 800 words) in which you outline how you intend to carry out your project and how this contributes to the themes of the research project;
- A full academic CV with a list of publications and contact details of two referees who may be contacted by the selection committee;
- A publication of your choice.
Only complete applications received via the link below within the application deadline will be considered.
The vacancy closes on 24-06-2026. The first round of interviews will take place in the first week of July.
