Heritage and museum professional, former university tutor and course developer (for the University of Manchester), writer, editor, journalist and founder of Ancient Egypt magazine. I specialise in the history and archaeology of the horse/human relationship. I gained my MPhil on the topic of the horse in ancient Egypt at the University of Manchester in 2000. In 2022 I was awarded my PhD on the subject of the Galloway horse by the University of Glasgow. I am co-editor in chief of Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History, and former President of the Equine History Collective. I am a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
Chariots in Antiquity Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel, 2024
Chariots in
Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel
Edited by
Peter Raulwing, Stefan ... more Chariots in
Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel
Edited by
Peter Raulwing, Stefan Burmeister,
Gail Brownrigg, and Katheryn M. Linduff
BAR INTERNATIONAL SERIES 3159 202
Chariots in Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel, 2024
Th is volume of essays honours Joost Crouwel, a leading expert on wheeled transport in antiquity.... more Th is volume of essays honours Joost Crouwel, a leading expert on wheeled transport in antiquity. Th e editors and contributors are internationally acclaimed specialists, who share their ideas, observations, and research by exploring the many facets associated with chariots: their equipment, horses and harnesses, cultural exchanges, iconography, and the outlook of the people who rode in them. Th e topics represent many areas of expertise: art historians, archaeologists, and linguists from Taiwan,
The "Saints and Sinners on Horseback" essay collection concludes in similar fashion to its beginn... more The "Saints and Sinners on Horseback" essay collection concludes in similar fashion to its beginning, with a tale of a desperate sinner on the road and on the run from pursuers. In this case, however, the sinner is followed by the forces of the law, but rather the forces of the supernatural, with the devil behind them. For this “sinner” is Robert Burns’s great creation Tam o’Shanter, and his equally important grey mare Meg, who saves him by a tail. Or does she? Burns’s popular poem is often enjoyed for its comic and bawdy elements, as well as the genuine frisson of fear that uncanny encounters instil in the listener. However, Miriam A. Bibby suggests that there is more behind this humorous paranormal tale than at first meets the eye (or the ear, for it is often read aloud) and that it reveals details of Burns’s own predilections and experiences. There is more to Meg than meets the eye, too, and her role deserves wider recognition.
Cheiron: the International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History , 2021
The Arabian, or more correctly, Arab horse, is widely acknowledged to be one of the most influent... more The Arabian, or more correctly, Arab horse, is widely acknowledged to be one of the most influential horse breeds in the world. Enthusiasts of the breed admire its beauty and its quality of endurance. They also frequently claim it has a long and influential history, some suggesting this dates back to the days of the kings of Egypt, if not beyond. It is the historiographical aspect with which this paper intends to engage, arguing that some key examples currently identified as Arab(ian) horses are not Arabs at all. This has created long-standing issues with the literature on the breed and its history, as well as affecting our understanding of the origins of other breeds.
The first two issues of Cheiron will be dedicated to a critical examination of equine and equestr... more The first two issues of Cheiron will be dedicated to a critical examination of equine and equestrian history. We invite submissions from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including, but not limited to, history, archaeology, anthropology and interspecies communication, targeting all chronological periods from prehistory to contemporary history. Among others, we invite submissions about the contributions made by national schools and scholars to equine and equestrian studies.
Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History
Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History is a biannual journal facilit... more Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History is a biannual journal facilitating a debate in equine and equestrian studies across chronological periods and disciplines. The journal welcomes contributions from many fields, including, but not limited to, archaeology, anthropology, social sciences, animal studies, art history, interspecies communication, and veterinary history.
The journal is double-blind peer-reviewed and is published in February and September.
We publish thematic issues, the subject of which are announced in advance in a call for papers for the issue. Besides, open sections/issues of the journal provide a place for general discussion of the history of equines and horsemanship.
Cheiron accepts submissions throughout the year on subjects related to the scope of the journal (non-binding to special issues): the history of horses and other equines, equestrian sports, equines and equestrianism in art, horse management, breeding and preservation of endangered breeds, tack and equipment, ethical issues, and others.
Call for chapters for the forthcoming volume "Saints and Sinners on Horseback", to be published a... more Call for chapters for the forthcoming volume "Saints and Sinners on Horseback", to be published as part of Trivent Publishing's "Rewriting Equestrian History" series. Contact me if you'd like more information!
Horse Breeds and Human Society Purity, Identity and the Making of the Modern Horse, 2019
The Galloway horse is an extinct breed that at the turn of the seventeenth century played a remar... more The Galloway horse is an extinct breed that at the turn of the seventeenth century played a remarkably political role in English popular culture. As this chapter will show, the landrace was on one hand thought desirable and profitable to breed, while on the other hand it was negatively associated with its Scottish origins. This contradictory reputation was used by William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson to reflect upon English-Scottish relations, and in the case of Jonson, to explicitly comment upon the character of England’s new king, James I. What these playwrights’ use of the Galloway name indicates is that at the end of Elizabeth I’s reign horses were used as shorthand to represent regional, national, and in the case of James, personal identities.
"This volume provides a unique introduction to the most topical issues, advances, and challenges ... more "This volume provides a unique introduction to the most topical issues, advances, and challenges in medieval horse history. Medievalists who have a long-standing interest in horse history, as well as those seeking to widen their understanding of horses in medieval society will find here informed and comprehensive treatment of chapters from disciplines as diverse as archaeology, legal, economic and military history, urban and rural history, art and literature. The themes range from case studies of saddles and bridles, to hippiatric treatises, to the medieval origins of dressage literary studies. It shows the ubiquitous – and often ambiguous – role of the horse in medieval culture, where it was simultaneously a treasured animal and a means of transport, a military machine and a loyal companion. The contributors, many of whom have practical knowledge of horses, are drawn from established and budding scholars working in their areas of expertise." Eds. Timothy Dawson and Anastasija Ropa.
An exploration of the earliest reference to the Galloway nag and its implications for future rese... more An exploration of the earliest reference to the Galloway nag and its implications for future research. Material that is yet unpublished but relevant to two forthcoming publications.
The arrival of the horse in Egypt presents a valuable opportunity to investigate how ancient soci... more The arrival of the horse in Egypt presents a valuable opportunity to investigate how ancient societies adapted to technological change. Archaeology assists in understanding the process by which the horse arrived in Egypt (and was also assimilated across the ancient world). This paper, given at Current Research in Egyptology III in 2001 and subsequently published in BAR International Series 1192, examines some of the evidence, particularly that included in the "Equids in the Ancient World" conference.
A study of and commentary upon selected art from Pharaonic Egypt that may express control through... more A study of and commentary upon selected art from Pharaonic Egypt that may express control through the metaphor of the chariot team and chariot. Published in Tracking-up, an independent journal on the horse and horsemanship. Tracking-up, Winter 2008 - 2009.
The Liminal Horse: Equitation and Boundaries, 2021
The names of both the Emperor Septimius Severus and the Emperor Severus Alexander have become ent... more The names of both the Emperor Septimius Severus and the Emperor Severus Alexander have become entangled with an enduring tale relating to the foundation of formal horse racing in Britain. The story varies between sources, but several elements, including the importation of Arab racehorses into Britain, and the construction of dedicated buildings for their training and management, appear consistently in different versions. The story has therefore been used to claim the existence of Arab horses in Britain in Roman times. This chapter tracks the trajectory of the legend to show that the horses never existed.
This chapter in "Materiality of the Horse" (eds. Miriam A. Bibby and Brian G. Scott) examines and... more This chapter in "Materiality of the Horse" (eds. Miriam A. Bibby and Brian G. Scott) examines and comments on the meaning of the phrase "equum Arabicum" in the Augustinian’s Account, a document forming part of the foundation accounts of the Priory of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland.
Chariots in Antiquity Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel, 2024
Chariots in
Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel
Edited by
Peter Raulwing, Stefan ... more Chariots in
Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel
Edited by
Peter Raulwing, Stefan Burmeister,
Gail Brownrigg, and Katheryn M. Linduff
BAR INTERNATIONAL SERIES 3159 202
Chariots in Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel, 2024
Th is volume of essays honours Joost Crouwel, a leading expert on wheeled transport in antiquity.... more Th is volume of essays honours Joost Crouwel, a leading expert on wheeled transport in antiquity. Th e editors and contributors are internationally acclaimed specialists, who share their ideas, observations, and research by exploring the many facets associated with chariots: their equipment, horses and harnesses, cultural exchanges, iconography, and the outlook of the people who rode in them. Th e topics represent many areas of expertise: art historians, archaeologists, and linguists from Taiwan,
The "Saints and Sinners on Horseback" essay collection concludes in similar fashion to its beginn... more The "Saints and Sinners on Horseback" essay collection concludes in similar fashion to its beginning, with a tale of a desperate sinner on the road and on the run from pursuers. In this case, however, the sinner is followed by the forces of the law, but rather the forces of the supernatural, with the devil behind them. For this “sinner” is Robert Burns’s great creation Tam o’Shanter, and his equally important grey mare Meg, who saves him by a tail. Or does she? Burns’s popular poem is often enjoyed for its comic and bawdy elements, as well as the genuine frisson of fear that uncanny encounters instil in the listener. However, Miriam A. Bibby suggests that there is more behind this humorous paranormal tale than at first meets the eye (or the ear, for it is often read aloud) and that it reveals details of Burns’s own predilections and experiences. There is more to Meg than meets the eye, too, and her role deserves wider recognition.
Cheiron: the International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History , 2021
The Arabian, or more correctly, Arab horse, is widely acknowledged to be one of the most influent... more The Arabian, or more correctly, Arab horse, is widely acknowledged to be one of the most influential horse breeds in the world. Enthusiasts of the breed admire its beauty and its quality of endurance. They also frequently claim it has a long and influential history, some suggesting this dates back to the days of the kings of Egypt, if not beyond. It is the historiographical aspect with which this paper intends to engage, arguing that some key examples currently identified as Arab(ian) horses are not Arabs at all. This has created long-standing issues with the literature on the breed and its history, as well as affecting our understanding of the origins of other breeds.
The first two issues of Cheiron will be dedicated to a critical examination of equine and equestr... more The first two issues of Cheiron will be dedicated to a critical examination of equine and equestrian history. We invite submissions from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, including, but not limited to, history, archaeology, anthropology and interspecies communication, targeting all chronological periods from prehistory to contemporary history. Among others, we invite submissions about the contributions made by national schools and scholars to equine and equestrian studies.
Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History
Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History is a biannual journal facilit... more Cheiron: The International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History is a biannual journal facilitating a debate in equine and equestrian studies across chronological periods and disciplines. The journal welcomes contributions from many fields, including, but not limited to, archaeology, anthropology, social sciences, animal studies, art history, interspecies communication, and veterinary history.
The journal is double-blind peer-reviewed and is published in February and September.
We publish thematic issues, the subject of which are announced in advance in a call for papers for the issue. Besides, open sections/issues of the journal provide a place for general discussion of the history of equines and horsemanship.
Cheiron accepts submissions throughout the year on subjects related to the scope of the journal (non-binding to special issues): the history of horses and other equines, equestrian sports, equines and equestrianism in art, horse management, breeding and preservation of endangered breeds, tack and equipment, ethical issues, and others.
Call for chapters for the forthcoming volume "Saints and Sinners on Horseback", to be published a... more Call for chapters for the forthcoming volume "Saints and Sinners on Horseback", to be published as part of Trivent Publishing's "Rewriting Equestrian History" series. Contact me if you'd like more information!
Horse Breeds and Human Society Purity, Identity and the Making of the Modern Horse, 2019
The Galloway horse is an extinct breed that at the turn of the seventeenth century played a remar... more The Galloway horse is an extinct breed that at the turn of the seventeenth century played a remarkably political role in English popular culture. As this chapter will show, the landrace was on one hand thought desirable and profitable to breed, while on the other hand it was negatively associated with its Scottish origins. This contradictory reputation was used by William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson to reflect upon English-Scottish relations, and in the case of Jonson, to explicitly comment upon the character of England’s new king, James I. What these playwrights’ use of the Galloway name indicates is that at the end of Elizabeth I’s reign horses were used as shorthand to represent regional, national, and in the case of James, personal identities.
"This volume provides a unique introduction to the most topical issues, advances, and challenges ... more "This volume provides a unique introduction to the most topical issues, advances, and challenges in medieval horse history. Medievalists who have a long-standing interest in horse history, as well as those seeking to widen their understanding of horses in medieval society will find here informed and comprehensive treatment of chapters from disciplines as diverse as archaeology, legal, economic and military history, urban and rural history, art and literature. The themes range from case studies of saddles and bridles, to hippiatric treatises, to the medieval origins of dressage literary studies. It shows the ubiquitous – and often ambiguous – role of the horse in medieval culture, where it was simultaneously a treasured animal and a means of transport, a military machine and a loyal companion. The contributors, many of whom have practical knowledge of horses, are drawn from established and budding scholars working in their areas of expertise." Eds. Timothy Dawson and Anastasija Ropa.
An exploration of the earliest reference to the Galloway nag and its implications for future rese... more An exploration of the earliest reference to the Galloway nag and its implications for future research. Material that is yet unpublished but relevant to two forthcoming publications.
The arrival of the horse in Egypt presents a valuable opportunity to investigate how ancient soci... more The arrival of the horse in Egypt presents a valuable opportunity to investigate how ancient societies adapted to technological change. Archaeology assists in understanding the process by which the horse arrived in Egypt (and was also assimilated across the ancient world). This paper, given at Current Research in Egyptology III in 2001 and subsequently published in BAR International Series 1192, examines some of the evidence, particularly that included in the "Equids in the Ancient World" conference.
A study of and commentary upon selected art from Pharaonic Egypt that may express control through... more A study of and commentary upon selected art from Pharaonic Egypt that may express control through the metaphor of the chariot team and chariot. Published in Tracking-up, an independent journal on the horse and horsemanship. Tracking-up, Winter 2008 - 2009.
The Liminal Horse: Equitation and Boundaries, 2021
The names of both the Emperor Septimius Severus and the Emperor Severus Alexander have become ent... more The names of both the Emperor Septimius Severus and the Emperor Severus Alexander have become entangled with an enduring tale relating to the foundation of formal horse racing in Britain. The story varies between sources, but several elements, including the importation of Arab racehorses into Britain, and the construction of dedicated buildings for their training and management, appear consistently in different versions. The story has therefore been used to claim the existence of Arab horses in Britain in Roman times. This chapter tracks the trajectory of the legend to show that the horses never existed.
This chapter in "Materiality of the Horse" (eds. Miriam A. Bibby and Brian G. Scott) examines and... more This chapter in "Materiality of the Horse" (eds. Miriam A. Bibby and Brian G. Scott) examines and comments on the meaning of the phrase "equum Arabicum" in the Augustinian’s Account, a document forming part of the foundation accounts of the Priory of St Andrews, Fife, Scotland.
This book demonstrates how horse breeding is entwined with human societies and identities. It exp... more This book demonstrates how horse breeding is entwined with human societies and identities. It explores issues of lineage, purity, and status by exploring interconnections between animals and humans. The quest for purity in equine breed reflects and evolves alongside human subjectivity shaped by categories of race, gender, class, region, and nation. Focusing on various horse breeds, from the Chincoteague Pony to Brazilian Crioulo and the Arabian horse, each chapter in this collection considers how human and animal identities are shaped by practices of breeding and categorizing domesticated animals. Bringing together different historical, geographical, and disciplinary perspectives, this book will appeal to academics, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students, in the fields of human-animal studies, sociology, environmental studies, cultural studies, history, and literature. Monica is currently interested in questions of breed, type, and purity in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, along with questions relating to equine performance and nineteenth-century hippodrama. Eds. Kristen Guest and Monica Mattfeld.
The editors, staff and publishers of Cheiron, the International Journal of Equine and Equestrian ... more The editors, staff and publishers of Cheiron, the International Journal of Equine and Equestrian History, are pleased to announce the inaugural Cheiron conference, to be held from 9 th-14 th September 2024. This will be a hybrid event, open to scholars of equine history at all career stages, and also to researchers in related fields. The theme is HORSES IN OUR HERITAGE, PAST AND FUTURE. The conference will be opened with a virtual plenary lecture by John Clark, "The Medieval Horse and its Equipment: In retrospect 1995-2024." Contributors are invited to submit proposals on any aspect of equine and equestrian heritage. Those contributors whose proposals are accepted will be invited to publish their work in Cheiron at a future date. There will also be the opportunity to make presentations permanently available to attendees of the conference via the Cheiron YouTube channel.
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Papers by Miriam Bibby
Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel
Edited by
Peter Raulwing, Stefan Burmeister,
Gail Brownrigg, and Katheryn M. Linduff
BAR INTERNATIONAL SERIES 3159 202
history. Among others, we invite submissions about the contributions made by national schools and scholars to equine and equestrian studies.
The journal is double-blind peer-reviewed and is published in February and September.
We publish thematic issues, the subject of which are announced in advance in a call for papers for the issue. Besides, open sections/issues of the journal provide a place for general discussion of the history of equines and horsemanship.
Cheiron accepts submissions throughout the year on subjects related to the scope of the journal (non-binding to special issues): the history of horses and other equines, equestrian sports, equines and equestrianism in art, horse management, breeding and preservation of endangered breeds, tack and equipment, ethical issues, and others.
Books by Miriam Bibby
"equum Arabicum" in the Augustinian’s Account, a document forming
part of the foundation accounts of the Priory of St Andrews, Fife,
Scotland.
Antiquity: Essays in Honour of Joost Crouwel
Edited by
Peter Raulwing, Stefan Burmeister,
Gail Brownrigg, and Katheryn M. Linduff
BAR INTERNATIONAL SERIES 3159 202
history. Among others, we invite submissions about the contributions made by national schools and scholars to equine and equestrian studies.
The journal is double-blind peer-reviewed and is published in February and September.
We publish thematic issues, the subject of which are announced in advance in a call for papers for the issue. Besides, open sections/issues of the journal provide a place for general discussion of the history of equines and horsemanship.
Cheiron accepts submissions throughout the year on subjects related to the scope of the journal (non-binding to special issues): the history of horses and other equines, equestrian sports, equines and equestrianism in art, horse management, breeding and preservation of endangered breeds, tack and equipment, ethical issues, and others.
"equum Arabicum" in the Augustinian’s Account, a document forming
part of the foundation accounts of the Priory of St Andrews, Fife,
Scotland.