In 2016, the Dominican Order will celebrate its 800th anniversary. In the Middle Ages, the order played a crucial role throughout Europe, most significantly with regards to debates on preaching and pastoral care, heresy and inquisition, poverty and wealth. To mark this anniversary, several sessions on the history of the order in its early phase shall be organized at the International Medieval Congress (IMC) in Leeds. The aim of these sessions is to gain an overview of the current research and to establish a network of researchers from different countries. We invite papers from a wide variety of disciplines. Interdisciplinary papers are also most welcome.

Papers are especially invited on topics related, but not limited, to:

1.) questions of innovation and tradition in the early phase of the order, also with respect to women’s monasteries;
2.) the Dominican educational and training system, also with respect to the formation of universities;
3.) Dominican spirituality;
4.) the Dominican order in conflict with itself and others, e.g. concerning Dominican Observance, inquisition or debates with other cultures and religions (Mongols, Jews, Muslims, etc.)

As we cannot provide funding, participants are required to cover all their own expenses. However, the IMC offers a bursary application option (see website of the Institute for Medieval Studies, University of Leeds, for details). Conference papers should be in English only.

Please submit a 300-word abstract by 31st August, 2015 to s.vonheusinger@uni-koeln.de, using the subject header “Leeds”.