The Department of History is currently visited by postdoctoral fellow Gregory Leighton of Nicholas Copernicus University, Torun. Gregory Leighton specializes in the history of crusades and military order in Livonia and Prussia.

–My current work concerns the development of the crusading idea and the ideas of holy war within the southern Baltic Zone from the 13th to the 15th centuries, in particular the role of the Teutonic Order (Tyska Orden) in this development. 

An illustration from the Codex Manesse depicting a Teutonic Knight. (14th century CE, Zurich, Switzerland).

The ongoing research is the subject of a book being written by the postdoctoral fellow. The publication will also provide several previously untranslated and unedited primary sources.

–The hope is that the book will be used by undergraduate students and postgraduate students to supplement their research. Currently, interest in the Baltic Crusades among Anglophone scholars in the UK and the US is really increasing, So, I can only hope that my own work – both my first book and my current project – will add to this growing field.

Stockholm: come for the archives, stay for the appetizers

The prospect of doing a research visit in Sweden was appealing for several reasons.

–I came to Stockholm to observe some documents in the archives, as well as to make contact with Professor Kurt Villads Jensen, whose work has had a significant impact on my own.

After almost two months, Gregory Leighton has only positive things to say about his experience so far.

–I absolutely love the city and all the great things it has to offer. For example, I immediately felt at home in the department and it's been great getting to know everyone. Outside of the university, I've become involved in the Parkrun community here and participate in Haga Parkrun on Saturday mornings. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, I've fallen in love with the food culture in Stockholm. There are so many great choices, from traditional Swedish cuisine – I like Toast Skagen – to all kinds of incredible Thai and Chinese foods.

International work and networks

Stockholm and Sweden is, however, only the latest place this American born researcher has explored in the name of education and research. After studies in Florida and California, Gregory Leighton got his PhD in History from Cardiff University in Wales in 2018, followed by the current NAWA-Ulam postdoctoral fellowship at Nicholas Copernicus University in Torun, Poland. Gregory Leighton appreciates the wide network that comes with international work.

–I think that since completing my doctoral studies, I've become more integrated into the European research environment. I've had the privilege to get to know some of the best scholars in my area of expertise and beyond, and to form important scholarly networks for future work. However, I still keep myself involved as much as I can in the work of my American colleagues – especially in Florida and California. In fact, they have used my work as part of their syllabi, so maybe that's inspired a lot of the yonger students working on the Baltic Zone in the Middle Ages! 

Gregory Leighton will present at a joint Medieval and Climate and Environmental Seminar on January 30.

Seminar January 30: Nature and Crusading Ideology with Gregory Leighton