Call for Papers
The Chosen Ones?
Character Groupings in Classical and Medieval Art and Literature
University of St Andrews, 17-19 April 2026
Plenary Speaker: Professor Eva von Contzen
We are delighted to host a three-day symposium on the topic of Character Groupings in Classical and Medieval Art and Literature at the University of St Andrews from 17-19 April 2026.
We are hoping to bring together researchers who work on specific groupings of characters, such as the Nine Worthies, Seven Sages, Nine Worthy Women, and others. Since many of these groupings are oftentimes studied in isolation, the symposium will offer a chance to compare and contrast different groupings. We hope to facilitate discussions that explore questions such as how groupings develop, whether there are common denominators that enable such a development, and why some groupings are more popular and
persistent than others.
The plenary lecture will be given by Professor Eva von Contzen, University of Freiburg.
If discussions prove fruitful, a publication of selected proceedings is planned in a special issue of Anglia in order to encourage further study of individual groupings, as well as the concept and framework of groupings.
We welcome proposals from postgraduate students, early career researchers, and established academics. Proposals can relate to (but are not limited to):
- A specific grouping, such as the Nine Worthies, Nine Worthy Women, Three Furies, Seven Sages, Three Sisters of Fate, Nine Muses, the Apostles, the douze pers (Charlemagne and Alexander cycles), the Knights of the Round Table, Norns, Saints
- The origin, development, and uses of a specific grouping
- Catalogue traditions and their relations to groupings
- Theoretical approaches to and frameworks for groupings and their development
- The numerology on which groupings such as the Nine Worthies or Seven Sages are based on
- Medieval groupings and their classical influences
- The processes of choosing individuals for a grouping
Proposals can be made for the following two formats:
20-minute paper: Please send a title and proposal of no more than 250, as well as a brief biography to [email protected].
5-minute lightning talk: Please send a title and proposal of no more than 50 words, as well as a brief biography to [email protected]. The lighting talks will be part of a networking event. It offers a chance for delegates to briefly present their (emerging) interests and to subsequently identify opportunities for discussion and collaboration.
The deadline for all abstracts is 1 February 2026.
Please distribute this CfP widely to anyone who might be interested.
For any questions, please email Sophie Lemburg and Valerie Gruenzel at [email protected].
The Nine Worthies in Le Chevalier Errant: Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, MS Français 12559, f. 125r
This event is kindly hosted and supported by the Schools of Classics and English at the University of St Andrews.