James Holloway, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of New Mexico | The University of New Mexico
James Holloway, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs at the University of New Mexico | The University of New Mexico
A University of New Mexico graduate student in history is gaining attention for his research on a medieval Iberian royal couple. Jonathan Seyfried, a second-year Ph.D. student in UNM's History Department, has received the Alan DuPont Breck Award for his research, which examines the reign of King Joan I of Aragon and his queen, Violant de Bar.
Jonathan Seyfried initially found his passion as a high school teacher but maintained a dream of conducting historical research. By fall 2023, he was fully admitted to the UNM History Department graduate program, where over the past two years, he has collaborated with students and faculty in a supportive environment. The camaraderie helped him submit his research to the Rocky Mountain Medieval and Renaissance Association (RMMRA).
Seyfried expressed gratitude for the acknowledgment, saying, "I am honored to receive this award. It is incredibly rewarding to have my research recognized in this way." The award acknowledges the best paper by a junior scholar and comes with a $300 cash prize, publication options in the Association's journal Quidditas, and recognition at the annual ceremony.
In January, Seyfried's paper "Medieval Hypebeast: The Conspicuous Consumption of Joan I of Aragon" was published in Quidditas. His study challenges existing perspectives on the reign of Joan and Violant from 1387 to 1396. Contrary to historians who labeled their rule as a failure, recent interest highlights their progressive approach, including embracing French culture, reversing traditional roles, and supporting arts and music.
Seyfried's work also unearthed the king’s fascination with "unicorn horn," identified today as narwhal tusk, which he used medicinally. Seyfried seeks to investigate Joan and Violant's relationship through their letters to reconcile differing historical views on their rule. "I hope my research will help deepen our understanding of the Middle Ages by shedding light on King Joan’s often overlooked influence. Joan and Violant challenged the traditional rules of their time, and I want to help bring their impact to a wider audience," he shared.
In 2025, Seyfried intends to present his findings at several conferences, including the RMMRA's summer conference, the International Congress on Medieval Studies in Michigan, and the International Medieval Congress in the UK.
For more information on Seyfried’s research, one can visit his website profile.
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