Early Modern Research Articles

“Social” terminology in sir John Skene’s lexicography “De verborum significatione”

The process of specification of the social and, in particular, the process of demarcation between the social and the legal spheres in Early Modern European intellectual discourse exhibited both general regularities and elements contingent on the regional specificity of intellectual traditions and institutional practices. In the article, the author examines the Scottish version of this process, with the lexicography of the Scottish civil lawyer Sir John Skene (1549–1617) “De Verborum Significatione” serving as a case in point. The analysis of the social concepts included in the lexicography demonstrates that the heterogeneity of the genesis of strata and groups within the Scottish nobility, as observed by contemporaries, precluded the establishment of a hierarchy of noble titles and dignities within the Scottish kingdom. Consequently, reflection on the nobility as a social phenomenon was also prevented. Conversely, the ascendancy of civil law, with its rigorously delineated subject matter and enduring lexical apparatus, fostered the elaboration of the legal domain. However, this process also impeded the differentiation between the legal and the social. The author demonstrates that numerous concepts that would subsequently be imbued with particular social connotations within the Scottish intellectual tradition during the seventeenth century were nevertheless still regarded as an intrinsic component of the legal framework within the community of the kingdom. When referenced in the Scottish laws and parliamentary acts examined by Skene, these concepts were closely associated with legal privileges, judicial procedure, or the distinctive characteristics of property relations.

K. Dauge-Roth and C. Koslofsky (eds.), Stigma: Marking Skin in the Early Modern World (University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2023). Pages xii + 294, and there are illustrations. $29.95 paperback.

K. Dauge-Roth and C. Koslofsky (eds.), Stigma: Marking Skin in the Early Modern World (University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2023). Pages xii + 294, and there are illustrations. $29.95 paperback.

Educator’s Sentiments and Time Values of Zhang Jian

As a preeminent patriotic industrialist and educator in modern and contemporary Chinese history, Zhang Jian not only ventured into industrial enterprises to improve people's livelihood during the exploration and practice of early modernization in China but also initiated educational endeavors, holding profuse educational thoughts and concepts. Zhang Jian's educationalist sentiments are manifested in such aspects as his aspiration for enlightening and strengthening the nation, his advocacy of morality and culture, and his pragmatic and innovative demeanor. Propagating Zhang Jian's educationalist sentiments not only contributes to our comprehensive and profound understanding of the essence, essentials, undertones, and characteristics of the spirit of educationalists in the new era but also facilitates our steadfast establishment of the historical sense of mission and responsibility for educating talents for the Party and the country, and ultimately promotes the high-quality development of Chinese education and Chinese-style modernization.

Empowering Maternal Choice: Exploring Factors Influencing Early Postpartum Contraceptive Adoption Intention Among Pregnant Women in Northeast Ethiopia

Background: Despite progress in access to family planning services in many sub-Saharan African countries in recent decades, advances in early postpartum contraceptive adoption remain low, and the unmet need for early postpartum contraceptives is high. According to the Ethiopia Demographic and Health Survey report, early postpartum modern contraceptive method uptake is still unacceptably low in Ethiopia. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the magnitude of intention to adopt early postpartum modern contraceptive methods and its associated factors among pregnant women in Dessie and Kombolcha town zones, northeast Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was deployed from 15 January–15 February 2023, in the Dessie and Kombolcha zones, northeast Ethiopia, among pregnant women. The study involved 780 pregnant women using the cluster sampling technique. A census was conducted in 20 randomly selected clusters to identify eligible pregnant women. Actual data were collected home-to-home in the community through face-to-face interviews. Data were collected by Open Data Kit (ODK) and exported to STATA 17 for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, and the goodness of the model was checked by Hosmer–Lemeshow’s test statistic and rock curve. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval and p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: The study revealed that 49.6% of pregnant women lack autonomy and 50% lack knowledge about early postpartum contraception, with participants’ wealth index status ranging from rich (36.6%) to poor (33.2%). The study found that 75.8% of pregnant women intended to adopt early postpartum modern contraceptive methods early after childbirth. After controlling the potential confounders, mother’s age (AOR = 6.2 [2.6–14.6], birth interval (AOR = 2.5 [1.6–3.7]), have paid work (AOR = 1.9 [1.3–2.8]), health facility from home (AOR = 2.6 [1.5–4.4]), last delivery Place (AOR = 2.4 [1.1–5.7]), knowledge on (AOR = 1.5 [1.1–2.1]), and antenatal care follow-up (AOR = 1.9 [1.2–3.3]) were significant associated factors of intention to uptake early postpartum modern contraceptive methods among pregnant women. Conclusions: The study found that 75% of the participants had the intention to adopt contraceptive methods during the early postpartum period. Identified factors influencing this intention were age, birth interval, women’s employment status, area of residence, distance to health facilities, last delivery place, knowledge of early postpartum modern contraception, gravidity, and antenatal care follow-up. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address these factors, framing the intended users and enabling access to early adoption of postpartum contraceptive methods.

From Asia to Iberia: the mobility of early modern reliquaries☆

AbstractIn his famous 1543 Treatise on Relics, Jean Calvin complained that if one were to gather all the purported pieces of the True Cross from the churches and cathedrals of Europe, it would ‘form a whole ship's cargo’. This comment not only highlights the questionable authenticity of relics, but also alludes to their inherent mobility. Indeed, as portable religious objects, relics played an essential role in the drive to export Christianity across the globe. Bound as it was to contemporary mercantile and colonial politics, Christian proselytization was imbricated with the circulation of material goods. Objects crafted in far off regions, such as Gujarat and Nagasaki, gained new life in European liturgical contexts. This essay examines imported caskets crafted from mother‐of‐pearl, tortoiseshell, and lacquer that were transformed into reliquaries on the Iberian Peninsula arguing that such reliquaries harnessed the established potency of the itinerant relic, while simultaneously inventing a new visual idiom that spoke to the precarity of the Catholic faith as it traversed great transoceanic distances. In so doing, it demonstrates the active role played by technologies of transit in the shaping of material and devotional culture in the early modern era.

Musicians, Chariot Bearers, and Ghost Characters: The Spectrality of Black Slavery in Early Modern Mediterranean Drama

The article discusses early modern English plays from the 1590s to the 1610s, set in or referring to the Mediterranean, which feature Black African characters in marginal roles. These characters are ‘spectral’ in that they have no speaking part but appear briefly as attendants, servants, musicians, or indeed slaves. The article argues that their spectrality evokes the presence of Black African slaves in the Mediterranean, which has often been ignored in Early Modern Studies. However, through these characters Black slavery is turned into a mere spectacle, performed for the gaze of the theatre audience in early modern London.

The Ottoman Empire and Safavid Iran, 1639–1682: Diplomacy and Borderlands in the Early Modern Middle East, written by Selim Güngörürler

The Ottoman Empire and Safavid Iran, 1639–1682: Diplomacy and Borderlands in the Early Modern Middle East, written by Selim Güngörürler

From the periphery to the centre: Protestantism and Korean identity in the north-west region

In late 19th-century Korea, Protestantism was perceived as a symbol of western civilization and a messenger for western-style modernity. It was also accepted within the framework of a clash between civilizations, a confrontation of power against power. In such a context, traditional elements were seen as something to be discarded, while western-style modernity, including Protestantism, became the object of aspiration. As is well recognized, the ‘north-west region’ of Korea emerged as the cradle and most vibrant epicentre for the reception of Protestantism, outpacing other regions in terms of both rapid qualitative and quantitative growth within a short time frame. This raises the question: Why did Protestantism receive such an active and passionate welcome in the north-western region? As part of a case study, this article focuses on Pyeongan Province and explores how the encounter between the north-western region and Protestantism reshaped the pre-existing ‘identity’ of north-westerners. In essence, the reason why the people of the north-west region embraced Protestantism more actively compared to other regions was twofold: first, due to their long-standing aspiration to move towards the centre, which had persisted from the past, and, second, because the Protestantism introduced to this region had a mutual affinity with the north-western people. This can be considered as the factor that enabled the rise of north-western people in the early modern period.

Ivan Mazepa as an Early Modern Ruler

Ivan Mazepa as an Early Modern Ruler

The integrated Mexican nation-state building in the 20th century

Since gaining independence in the early 19th century, Mexico embarked on a path toward building a nation-state. In criticizing the evolutionism that promotes white supremacy, Mexican society has embarked on a journey of introspection, delving into the essence of its indigenous national character. Following the Mexican Revolution at the turn of the 20th century, a nationalism advocating for integration was firmly established. The Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) government incorporated the principles of national integration into the broader building of the nation-state. On the one hand, it affirmed the crucial role of indigenous peoples and their cultures, tracing the origins of the Mexican nation-state back to these roots. On the other hand, the promotion of unified education, coupled with the implementation of a land-centered state corporatist system, aimed to achieve the integration and governance of Indigenous peoples, thereby incorporating them into the nation-building process and ultimately facilitating the integration of the nation-state. While the PRI government’s integration efforts led to tendencies towards marginalization and assimilation of indigenous peoples, alongside insufficient attention to their rights and political participation, it fundamentally changed the historically unrecognized status of indigenous communities since the colonial era. These efforts primarily addressed the issues that had challenged Mexican social development concerning indigenous peoples since the colonial era, contributing to maintaining national stability over an extended period.

Evolution of Codified Criminal Laws in India: A Voyage from Colonialization to Decolonization

This research paper delves into the profound evaluation of criminal laws in Bharat from the Vedic era to the decolonization of criminal statutes. The narrative begins with evaluating the criminal justice system from the Vedic ages to today's new decolonized criminal laws in India. The paper scrutinizes the various time duration for evaluation of criminal laws in Bharat: Before the Vedic era (Vedas (Rig, Yajur, Sāma, and Atharva), Shrutis, Puranas, and many more), During the Vedic era (Dharamshastra and Arthshastra), Mughal period, British colonial period, and Decolonialization of criminal laws in India. The various objectives behind the decolonization of new criminal laws include Eradication of Colonial-Era law, Offence against the state, Modernization of the criminal justice system, Strengthening Accountability and Rule of Law, and Democratizing the Law. Understanding the evaluation of laws from the colonial era to the decolonization of criminal laws, importing critical legal changes brought under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Act (BSA) in 2023, this study closely observes the backdrop, what inspires the law to launch such amendments and what subtleties result in these alterations. This historical analysis is taken up first that describes the colonial legacy of India's legal system, and how relics of archaic legislations are part of its system even today. With this background, the exam is placed against a backdrop of rising crime and changing characteristics of criminal behaviors occasioned by new technological breakthroughs that require all-around changes. The paper scrutinizes the supreme provisions of the BNSS towards replacing the archaic Code of Criminal Procedure, the BNS which is poised to replace the Indian Penal Code, and the BSA which is to replace the Evidence Act. This report will appraise the major changes in the number of sections that are incorporated into the new schemes, record digitalization, and the inevitable drift towards forensic science and collection of evidence.

Introduction: Political Ecologies of Paper in Early Modern Art, 1500–1800

Abstract This special issue examines paper as it became the definitive material for both artistic practice and jurisprudence. European paper made from pulped rags and linens to create the mythic white empty grounds for design was foundational to early modern European ideas about both sovereignty and the creative act. The materiality of paper—as a surface created from refuse—also introduced a form of ecological thinking into both artistic practice and political theory that recognised the value and revolutionary potential of the material world to create from the detritus of failed projects and revolutions. Surveying artistic production across the European continent and into the Ottoman empire, this series of essays examines paper as both a material force that redefined the limits of the creative act while also being inseparable from the consolidation of new political regimes emerging from the rise of early modern colonialism. Paper was both the tool of dispossession and also the grounds on which the potential of artistic practice was reimagined.

Michael Wirth’s Kunstbüchlein: Books of Arts and Weapons Magic in a Sorcery Trial from Seventeenth-Century Germany

Abstract How did men and magical objects interact in the early modern period, and with what consequences? This article seeks to answer these questions through a close reading of the trial for sorcery of an urban artisan named Michael Wirth, who was accused in 1663 of murdering his neighbour by magical means. The article foregrounds the role that Wirth’s Kunstbüchlein (books of arts) played in his practice of magic (in his case, a type of weapons magic aimed at ensuring his accuracy in musket-shooting) and in his acquisition of a reputation for malevolent sorcery in the eyes of some of his neighbours. In so doing, it analyses the competing claims made by different trial protagonists about Wirth’s relationship with, and use of, his books of arts, and explores how the books themselves participated in these meaning-making processes. The article furthers our understanding of the practice of weapons magic and the use of books of arts by urban artisans in the seventeenth century. It also contributes to ongoing debates about the gendering and material culture of magic in early modern Germany, and about the agency of human and non-human actors in networks of social practices.

Paper and Textile Encounters in the Pacific

Abstract This essay focuses on an eighteenth-century book, A Catalogue of the Different Specimens of Cloth Collected in the Three Voyages of Captain Cook to the Southern Hemisphere, which opens up alternative histories of paper in the early modern world. The work consists of a letterpress pamphlet describing the production of bark cloth (tapa), bound with samples of tapa, which were acquired from one of Captain Cook’s naval officers. In placing paper and bark cloth into relationship with one another, the work offers another vantage point from which to theorise not only the material history of paper but also the ways in which paper was dependent on an ability to ‘invisibly occupy’. Paper’s material invisibility is both part of its strength while also demonstrating the intellectual blind spots that can occur in attending solely to material histories of paper worlds.

One of the Founders of Russian Ungaristics. On the Centenary of V.P. Shusharin

The article traces the creative path of the prominent Soviet/Russian medievalist, specialist in the history of medieval Hungary and Russian-Hungarian relations, as well as in the history of the Transylvanian principality in the early modern period V.P. Shusharin (1924–1999). The shortage of specialists in this field of knowledge contributed to the fact that V.P. Shusharin had to devote a lot of time to writing chapters in collective monographs, which touched upon the problems of the history of Hungary and Transylvania in the 9th – 17th centuries. The main work of his life was the creation of a three-volume ethnic history of the Hungarian people at that time. Research results by V.P. Shusharin were recognized not only by domestic, but also by Hungarian colleagues in medieval studies.

Central-Eastern Europe as a centre of Middle Ages extractive metallurgy

Central-eastern to southeastern Europe, from Bohemia to Greece is home to some of the richest ore deposits on earth, with archaeological evidence suggesting a long history of metal use. However, the exact timing and extent of past metal processing activities remains unclear. The Middle Ages and Early Modern period (c. 500–1800 common era (CE)) in Europe, saw the expansion of metal use at an unprecedented scale, continent-wide. Here we analysed rates of past atmospheric lead (Pb) deposition in six peat bogs from Romania, Serbia and Greece. We show that after 1000 CE, the redevelopment of central European mining industry was synchronous with Pb pollution in southeastern Europe, with the onset of metal pollution occurring in the area prior to central Europe. Therefore, southeastern Europe may have led regional mining developments, with technological advances rapidly shifting from east to west through the Middle Ages. This indicates how southeastern Europe should be included in future discussions of Middle Age metallurgy not simply as a contributor, but at times as a leader in metal production.

Armour in Medieval India. Medieval Indian Armour, Hoysaḷa Representation, Wider Documentation and Later Reality

Armour is very rarely shown in the non-Islamic art of medieval India after appearing, albeit infrequently, in the Indian art of earlier centuries. Subsequently, the representation of armour would become significantly more common. Nevertheless, there are exceptions, notably on temple carvings and carved vīragal hero or memorial stones from what had been the Hoysaḷa kingdom in the southern Deccan region. This article seeks to interpret these carvings, to identify the reality of the armour shown and to explain its socio-political context. Potential links are drawn between such carved representations and the terminology of armour as used in medieval India. The article concludes by looking at the possible survival of medieval armour technology and styles in the continued use of textile-based armours in southern India into and beyond the early modern era.

Greek works in the manuscripts of Janus Pannonius preserved in Seville

AbstractThe Janus Collection in Seville offers valuable insight into the transmission and reception of Janus Pannonius's translations in the early modern period. This paper examines the Greek works translated into Latin by Janus and preserved in one of the Seville codices, specifically in manuscript T (7–1–15). Through a meticulous analysis of this manuscript and its historical context, the study sheds light on Janus's translation process, the significance of the π line in the textual tradition, and the manuscript's journey from Hungary to Spain via Basel.

Caste and Electoral Behaviour in India: An In-depth Analysis

Caste has long played a pivotal role in shaping electoral behavior in India, significantly influencing political outcomes since independence. This paper examines the intricate relationship between caste and politics, tracing its roots to the colonial era and analyzing how caste-based political mobilization has evolved in contemporary times. The rise of caste-based political parties, such as the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Samajwadi Party (SP), has redefined the Indian electoral landscape. Additionally, the impact of caste identities on voting behavior, the role of coalition politics, and the use of social media in targeting caste groups are explored. While caste-based politics has empowered marginalized communities, it also poses challenges to governance and social cohesion. The paper concludes by reflecting on the future of caste in Indian electoral politics, emphasizing the need for more inclusive governance.

The Politics of societas and the Early Modern State

The Politics of <i>societas</i> and the Early Modern State