61st International Congress on Medieval Studies – Kalamazoo Michigan
May 14th-16th, 2026 (Thursday through Saturday)
Sponsored by Western Michigan University’s Medieval Institute, the International Congress on Medieval Studies is an annual gathering of thousands of scholars of the Middle Ages. The Congress embraces the study of all aspects of the Middle Ages, extending into late antique and the early modern period, including—but not limited to—history, language, literature, linguistics, art, archaeology, religion, science, medicine, music, drama, philosophy, gender, sexuality, mysticism and technology, as well as medievalism. And following the trend of the past two years we are happy to continue to lead the presence of the international heraldic community at Kalamazoo.
We will again host a table this year at the conference. If you are interested in attending we will have two free passes available for those who wish to attend and would be willing to help staff the table.
Our Sponsored Session
A major part of human expression is via the use of images, badges, and heraldic devices; this has been a constant for many years but truly flourished in the middle ages. Oftentimes, heraldry is misunderstood by historians, it is our hope that our upcoming session Visual Identity through Heraldry and Other Devices in the Middle Ages will help to bridge the gap between our two communities and further advance the knowledge of the origins and use of Heraldry in the Middle Ages. For more information on our session or to submit an abstract please visit the ICMS Confex Portal.
Other Sessions on the Heraldic and Genealogical Sciences
Beyond the Blazon: Materializing Medieval Heraldry (A Roundtable)
Sponsored by the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada
60th International Congress on Medieval Studies – Kalamazoo Michigan
May 8th-10th, 2025 (Thursday through Saturday)
Sponsored by Western Michigan University’s Medieval Institute, the International Congress on Medieval Studies is an annual gathering of thousands of scholars of the Middle Ages. The Congress embraces the study of all aspects of the Middle Ages, extending into late antique and the early modern period, including—but not limited to—history, language, literature, linguistics, art, archaeology, religion, science, medicine, music, drama, philosophy, gender, sexuality, mysticism and technology, as well as medievalism. And this, for the first time in many years, HERALDRY!
Following the success of our table at last year’s 59th ICMS Exhibitor’s Hall we have been invited by the Medieval Institute to attend their next conference, not just as an exhibitor, but as a sponsoring organization. We will be holding a workshop entitled “Heraldry for Medievalists”, examining the origins and historical uses of early heraldry, as well as how to use various online and in print resources to aide in the research and preservation of heraldic items of historical significance. For more information on the 60th ICMS, including registration, lodging, and a list of sessions please visit their website.
If you are a Society Member and are presenting, attending, or are simply in the area please stop by our table, #74 in the Exhibits Hall! We are also looking for Members willing to assist in running our table, if you are interested please contact our President.