"Medieval Matters” comprises a major annual lecture series, which is a joint venture of the Center for Medieval and Early Modern Studies, the Stanford Continuing Studies Program, and a community study group called the Sarum Seminar. The series aims to draw on events and trends of the medieval period to inform our understanding of the contemporary world. We appeal to a broad range of audiences, including adult learners in the community, as well as Stanford students and faculty. The audience can number 100-350+. Stanford Continuing Studies itself is a highly successful program with a loyal following of educated, interested professionals from the surrounding community (see http://continuingstudies.stanford.edu/), and the “Medieval Matters" series has built a very considerable following. Past speakers have included Patrick Geary, William Chester Jordan, Mary Carruthers, Tony Grafton, Robert Bartlett, Elaine Pagels, Robin Fleming, David Carpenter and Tanya Luhrman.
