iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

It's October, so you know what that means - all things ghosts & ghouls! The Danse Macabre (Dance of Death) is a popular allegory from the medieval period that considered the universality of death & frailness of life. A personification of Death summons the living to dance to their graves.

Death, as a skeleton, plays a pipe to lead other skeletons to their graves, while dancing.

22711

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This is one of 26 leaves of fragments of a 10th century Gregorian sacramentary, removed between 1773-1790 from the original binding of another manuscript, the Winton Domesday, where they formed the packing of the boards.

Fragment of a 10th century sacramentary, removed between 1773-90 from the original binding of MSS/0154 (where they formed the packing of the boards).

13310

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

These tiles, located at Kelmscott Manor in their collection, come from a series depicting heroines from Geoffrey Chaucer’s 'Legend of Goode Wimmen', a poem recounting stories of virtuous women who suffered or died through love.

Tile of a woman in white robes, with a ribbon with the words ‘If Hope Were Not Heart Should Break’.

Tile with Cleopatra in a long, white dress, with three white snakes at her feet.

191

Reposted by The Society of Antiquaries of London

Tamsin Lewis @passamezzo.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

@ninyamikhaila.bsky.social's reconstruction of a doublet for the #Fairy King, taking inspiration from Simeon Steward's song 'The Clothing of #Oberon King of the #Fairies', c1627. Supported by @antiquaries.bsky.social & @continuoconnect.bsky.social #earlymodern www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOFI...

youtube.com

Greensleeves Project: Dressing Oberon - Doublet by Ninya Mikhaila

YouTube video by Passamezzo

0122

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Tickets are selling fast, so grab yours while you can! www.sal.org.uk/events/pleas...

076

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Not everyone is a pro artist, but having a go to record history is always important! This charmingly drawn image is a recording of a find of a Medieval crucifix figure dug out of the foundation of an Old Wall in the Town of Brighthelmstone (now Brighton) near a place called the Mockbeggars in 1771.

The drawing shows a figure of Christ crucified, evidently once attached to a crucifix. The drawing suggests the skill of the artist wasn't too advanced.

1111

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

It's the week of the annual Open House Festival, a London-wide festival that examines the city's built environment, so let's celebrate our building!

171

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Get into the spooky spirit at the start of October and join us for a night of ghostly tales from MR James, by performer R M Lloyd Parry. Hear 'Canon Alberic’s Scrap-book' & 'The Mezzotint'...if you dare! 👻 www.sal.org.uk/events/pleas...

0235

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Don't miss out on our event on 18 Nov with Green Lung's lead singer Tom Templar, talking to historian Thomas Williams FSA about his lyrical inspiration and relationship with Britain’s ancient and uncanny past. www.sal.org.uk/events/dark-...

sal.org.uk

As Old as the Hills: Britain’s Dark Folklore with Green Lung’s Tom Templar & Thomas Williams FSA - Society of Antiquaries of London

Occult practitioners, haunted barrows, crumbling Victorian cemeteries, bodies hidden in the wych elm, and - of course - the devil himself.

074

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Thomas Kerrich, collector, antiquarian & artist, was passionate about recording antiquities & created a large number of drawings. This one reproduces the tiles depicted in the Life of St Etheldreda panels, currently loaned to the exhibition 'Living by the Rule' at the Sainsbury Centre.

Drawing depicting three patterned pavements from the panel illustrating the life of St Etheldreda.

Scene from the panels depicting the life of St Etheldreda with the white, red and green tiles.

Scene from the panels depicting the life of St Etheldreda with red and black tiles.

Scene from the panels depicting the life of St Etheldreda with the black and white triangular tiles.

182

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Join us tomorrow for this free lunchtime talk all about our remarkable 15th-century panel paintings depicting ‘Scenes from the life of Saint Etheldreda’ currently on show at the Sainsbury Centre of Visual Arts! Attend in-person or online. www.sal.org.uk/events/reima...

sal.org.uk

Reimagining the Saint Etheldreda Panels: Conservation, Scholarship and Display - Society of Antiquaries of London

Hear from the curators, conservators and researchers whose expertise has brought the project to conserve the ‘Scenes from the life of Saint Etheldreda’ to life and revealed exciting discoveries about ...

0102

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

As we've got a conference on relics taking place today, here's a look at an item in our collections which has its own link to relics, the Bosworth Cross. It is known as the 'Bosworth Cross' due to its recorded place of discovery in Leicestershire.

Bronze-gilt cross with the four evangelists engraved on its roundels and Yorkist sunburst badges on its reverse. The cross was found on the site of the Battle of Bosworth (1485), in Leicestershire, a decisive battle in the Wars of the Roses.

1274

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Our conferences on relics is now live! If you couldn't go in person, tune in! www.youtube.com/watch?v=QANb...

youtube.com

Relics their Life and Afterlife

YouTube video by SocAntiquaries

052

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Stonehenge was obviously the place to pose for photos in 1881, as shown by the figures relaxing at the site. 1881 saw the first documented case of intervention to prevent stone collapse at Stonehenge.

A photo of two men seated on one of the fallen stones at Stonehenge, with a woman covering her face with a parasol to the left.

A close up of photo of two men seated on one of the fallen stones at Stonehenge.

A photo showing support works propping up stones at Stonehenge.

3195

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Created by an unknown artist, this icon shows John the Baptist in full length, facing the viewer against a featureless gold background. Various artistic details allow us to infer information about the period and maker of the work...

Egg tempera and gold leaf on canvas painting depicting St John the Baptist. The figure is shown in full length and winged, holding an open scroll and narrow cross shaft in his left hand. Red painted Greek uncials level with the saint's head identify him as St John the Forerunner.

162

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Feet washed, grapes ready to be trampled! September, here we come! Part of the Book of Hours (use of Rouen), these pages depict the occupation of the month and accompanying star sign. September is for grape harvesting and treading, all under the watchful gaze of Virgo for most of the month.

Illuminated page showing a man treading grapes and a list of saints' days for September underneath.

Illuminated page showing the star sign Virgo as a woman in a field picking flowers and a list of saints' days for September underneath.

22010

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This gilded bronze cruciform brooch from Rothley, Leicestershire, was found in 1785. It was then presented to the Society by Thomas Babington in 1788. It's been on long-term loan to Charnwood Museum since the 1940s. A beautiful watercolour was also created, to make a visual recording of the original

Florid bronze cruciform fibula plated with silver gilt measuring 15.5 cm x 8.5 cm x 1.5 cm. The upper surface is curiously chased and is furnished with an acus on the reverse.

The drawing shows a gilded bronze cruciform brooch from Rothley, Leicestershire, found in 1785.

090

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The etching shows a plan of part of a Roman building at Haceby, Lincolnshire, with mosaic floors and also some pottery and a column base found there.

The etching shows a plan of part of a Roman building at Haceby, Lincolnshire, with mosaic floors (shown in detail), and also some pottery and a column base found there.

1286

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

This manuscript contains a large collection of coats of arms, mostly in colour, relating mainly to the Holy Roman Empire, but also including arms of other European sovereigns & nobility as well as a selection of fictitious arms. The page here depicts the Arms of the Emperor Maximilian (d.1519).

A page from the manuscript with a central coat of arms, two griffons either side of a shield with a double-headed eagle on it, with smaller coats of arms around the edge of the pages.

2191

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

At first glance this object might not look like much, but it has an interesting story behind it. This Roman altar from Benwell was found over 3ft underground around 1751-1752, during the building of the road we now use as the A69. It was presented to the Society in 1759 by Judge Heneage Legge FSA

A stone altar with a worn inscription reading ‘Lamis Tribus’.

1156

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Don't miss out on a free rehearsed reading of Lapsare on 4 Sept, a new short play by playwright Cloud McDowell. Set within Burlington House, the play imagines a speculative near-future in which the Society’s historic home is transformed into luxury apartments. www.sal.org.uk/events/lapsa...

040

Reposted by The Society of Antiquaries of London

Tamsin Lewis @passamezzo.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Once again, I am in awe of the creativity and skills of my amazing colleagues. So lucky to be working with such a great team on #DressingOberon, an extension of the #greensleevesproject funded by @antiquaries.bsky.social. Constance MacKenzie is making #Oberon's waistcoats. #earlymodern #waistcoat

1111

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

'The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer' is the finest achievement of the Kelmscott Press, and as the last major volume to be published before William Morris’ death, a fitting culmination of his efforts to create ‘the book beautiful.’

A page from William Morris's ‘The Legend of Good Wimmen’ from The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer

A close up of the illustration from a page from William Morris's ‘The Legend of Good Wimmen’ from The Works of Geoffrey Chaucer, showing a scene from The Legend of Cleopatra

1155

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

This heat has us considering whether the fashions of the Maeatae and the Caledonians (powerful tribes in Scotland during the Roman occupation of Britain), as depicted in the 'The Costume of the Original Inhabitants of the British Islands' (1851), would be a good option.

An engraving of two male figures from the Maeatae and the Caledonian tribes. They are shown almost naked, apart from twisted metal torques and chains around their waists. They hold a spear and carry swords. They have various wode paintings and tattoos on their bodies.

3338

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Did you know our Linda Parry Textile Research and Conservation Grants make awards of £500-£5,000 to churches, chapels & other places of UK worship for the research & conservation of textiles?! Next deadline is 31 August, apply now! www.sal.org.uk/what-we-do/g...

Before conversation on 20th century church banner depicting the Virgin Mary

After conversation on 20th century church banner depicting the Virgin Mary

46033

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The 17th century saw a lot of cultural concern around eclipses, and what they may mean and portend. Nicholas Culpeper’s Catastrophe Magnatum is one of the texts which delves into this theme, looking at year of 1652 where there was an eclipse named 'Black Monday'.

Title page of Catastrophe Magnatum with a woodcut showing an eclipsed sun. The sun has a face and there are clouds around it.

Our copy of his Catastrophe Magnatum also has a remark to the reader that the woodcutter did a woodcut of the moon incorrectly for one of the illustrations. He remarks 'Gentle Reader, Please to take notice, that the Cutter (through neglect) hath not placed the centre of the Moon at the beginning on the line of Incidence, as he should have done. Humanity can but ere; therefore, let thy pardon argue the greatness of thy humanity, since the disease is Epidemical.'

2144

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

The solar eclipse of 11 August 1645 (recorded in the Julian calendar format) was referred to in famed English astrologer William Lilly's publication, The Starry Messenger.

A page from the book showing a styilsed sun with a face, where the top half is in shadow to demonstrate the effects of the eclipse.

1225

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Recognise any of these London views? The Capon Album is made up of 16 watercolours of views in Westminster by William Capon (~1757-1827). He added notes on the buildings to his art, including their history & (in many cases) impending demolition, & comments on the weather & time of day when painted

A waterclour view which shows every house in Little Sanctuary looking into New Palace Yard

A watercolour view of St Margaret, Westminster

A watercolour view of the Westminster area

1112

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Join us for a reading of Lapsare, a new play by playwright Cloud McDowell. Set in Burlington House, it imagines a speculative future where the Society’s home is turned into luxury apartments & a team of specialists work to repurpose a site once dedicated to knowledge. www.sal.org.uk/events/lapsa...

sal.org.uk

The Future of the Past: A Rehearsed Reading of Lapsare - Society of Antiquaries of London

Join us for a rehearsed reading of Lapsare, a new short play by playwright Cloud McDowell, followed by a conversation with Cloud about her residency at the Society, research, and creative process.

060

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

Called a double casket or cabinet, this 17th-century needlework casket is made of wood over which has been stretched a fairly course linen. The scenes and motifs have been worked in floss (untwisted) silks, the subject of which is the biblical story of Esther and King Ahasuerus.

The casket shows various scenes relating to the story of Esther and Ahasuerus from the Book of Esther in the Old Testament.

1193

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

While our events section is being fixed, why not take a look through our archive of lectures. From lectures about Danish warships to biscuit art, we've got a huge array of topics to explore. www.youtube.com/@SocAntiquar... The biscuit lecture, for reference: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr7p...

youtube.com

Edible Research: Exploring the Material Past through Biscuit Art by Dr Ella Hawkins

YouTube video by SocAntiquaries

1259

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

The events section on our website is currently down, we're hoping to get it back up asap and you'll be able to check out our selection of autumn and winter events, beginning in September.

0121

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Have you heard of William Stukeley? William Stukeley (1687–1765) joined the Society of Antiquaries in 1717. The following year he was elected the Society’s first Secretary.

William Stukeley (1687-1765) is depicted whole length standing in a garden, wearing a brown coat with gold frogging, white neckcloth, grey stockings and heavy black shoes. He is clean-shaven with a long grey wig and aged about forty. Scharf describes his coat as ‘dull crimson’ and his wig as brown. To the right is a gravel path with a stone basin of water in the foreground, on which is an Italianate baroque sculpture of sea nymphs, and another figure on a sea monster and dolphins. In the middle of the avenue is a classical style archway. To the left, on the base of a column, is a shield of the Stukeley arms with a double eagle displayed.

4389

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The Painted Chamber in the Palace at Westminster was regarded as one of the marvels of medieval Europe because of its magnificent decoration. Historians have debated whether this work was carried out between 1263 & 1272 under the patronage of Henry III, or later between 1292 & 1297 under Edward I.

This drawing depicts a scene from the miracles of the Jewish Prophet Elisha, from the Painted Chamber in the Palace at Westminster.

This drawing depicts the Coronation of Edward the Confessor flanked by bishops on either side, from the Painted Chamber in the Palace at Westminster.

1124

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

This evocative view is of Breach Down, Derringstone, showing a large windmill looming over a group of barrows, one of which is being excavated. It was done by English architect and designer William Burges in 1842.

View of Breach Down with the windmill, and a large group of barrows, one of which is being excavated.

170

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

We have expert fire brigades to help us now, but how did London cope with fire in the past? Up to 1666, the quality of firefighting in London was poor. Despite fires being regular, there were no brigades & people didn’t give much thought to the dangers. This changed after the Great Fire of 1666.

An engraving of the fire engine in operation in a variety of scenes annotated with letters and a key. It depicts various ways the sucking worm can be used, including fighting fire on different stories of buildings, in distilleries and on ships.

The sucking worm engine in action saving a grand estate.

1135

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

We've now got our autumn events up on our website, featuring lectures covering a huge range of topics, open days and a conference on relics! Check out the lineup and see what takes your fancy! www.sal.org.uk/events/

081

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

These fragments of painted panelling (c.1515) were once part of a large frieze, depicting Saxon kings. An inscription on the panel of Athelstan makes it clear that the subject is the unification in AD 926/7 of the lesser kingdoms of Britain under Athelstan (reigning AD 925–40).

Oil of oak panel painting of King Athelstan depicted 'in majesty', seated on a throne, crowned, and holding a scepter in his left hand and an orb in his right. A Latin inscription appears beneath the figure of Athelstan. 1 of 6 fragments.

Oil on gabled oak panel painting of an unknown Saxon king. The crowned king stands with sceptre held in his right hand. 1 of 6 fragments.

Oil on oak panel painting of an unknown Saxon king wearing a red hat. 1 of 6 fragments.

2285

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

We've got a call for papers! Our annual Collections & Research Day presents the work of early career researchers and collections professionals. This year the event is inspired by our extensive Prints and Drawings collection. Got a topic you think would suit? www.sal.org.uk/2026/07/crd-...

sal.org.uk

Call for Papers - Lines of Enquiry: Graphic Arts & the Afterlives of the Material Past - Society of Antiquaries of London

A CfP for 'Lines of Enquiry: Graphic Arts and the Afterlives of the Material Past'.

003

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

As part of a master’s degree in Museums & Galleries in Education at UCL, Ruoyao Yang completed a placement at the Society. She was given a creative brief that combined her interest in fine art with her studies, and created a digital response.

150

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Our beautiful St Etheldreda Panels are currently on loan to the Sainsbury Centre. Norwich for their exhibition 'Living by the Rule: Contemporary meets Medieval', which is on until 4 October. sainsburycentre.ac.uk/whats-on/liv...

161

Reposted by The Society of Antiquaries of London

Tamsin Lewis @passamezzo.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

Petticoat Wag: a #17thCentury #countrydance from Playford's Dancing Master, 1651 From a series of recordings of #earlymusic & #song associated with dress in #earlymodern England. Recorded with support from @continuoconnect.bsky.social @antiquaries.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=6110...

youtube.com

Petticoat Wag

YouTube video by Passamezzo

1103

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Did you know that the Rosetta Stone was once presented and held briefly at the Society? On 11 March 1802, it was displayed at the then premises of the Society at Somerset House during a meeting, ahead of its move to the British Museum.

A print showing the top part of the text of the Rosetta Stone.

A print showing the middle part of the text of the Rosetta Stone.

A print showing the bottom part of the text of the Rosetta Stone.

1205

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

The Barrow Diggers, by The Reverend James Douglas, is a humorous drawing of one of the earliest known depictions of barrow-digging. Barrow digging was a popular past time of local squires and parsons in the 18th and 19th centuries, where they excavated ancient burial mounds.

Six gentlemanly figures raid a burial mound for its treasures. One is inspecting a skull, while the rest hold implements like pick axes and shovels. A dog is off to the side, peeing in a cup from the mound.

1122

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Join us for a free lecture next Tues at 1pm on Humfrey Wanley FSA! Wanley, one of the founders of the Society, was one of the most distinguished English manuscript scholars. 2026 is the tercentenary of his death & this lecture offers a commemoration of his achievements www.sal.org.uk/event/humfre...

sal.org.uk

Humfrey Wanley FSA & his Book of Specimens: A Tercentenary Lecture - Society of Antiquaries of London

Humfrey Wanley FSA, one of the founders of the Society of Antiquaries, was one of the most distinguished of English manuscript scholars. His Book of Specimens contains magnificent copies of Greek and ...

161

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

Scotland's First Warriors is now open at @ntlmuseumsscot.bsky.social until 16 May 2027! In their exhibition, you can explore the first signs of organised warfare, from the Neolithic to the Romans, through over 200 objects, including our Beith Shield, on loan for this exhibition!

194

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

John William Inchbold (1830–88) was an English painter born in Leeds, Yorkshire. Influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite style, this is Inchbold’s dramatic view of Stonehenge, which shows the landscape under a cloudy sky with the setting sun illuminating the stones.

'Stonehenge from the East' by John William Inchbold. Influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite style Inchbold’s dramatic view of Stonehenge shows the landscape under a cloudy sky with the setting sun illuminating the stones.

1205

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

How did the Georgians cool down? We get some clues in John Lewis's book 'The History and Antiquities of the Isle of Tenet in Kent' (1736).

A page from a book with text describing the bathing machines with an illustration in the middle of the bathing machine being pulled by a horse (or maybe a donkey).

2115

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Following the amber weather warning for extreme heat, will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday 24 June. This decision has been taken to ensure the safety of our staff and visitors. We will reopen as normal on Thursday 25 June.

081

The Society of Antiquaries of London @antiquaries.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

It's the summer solstice and the longest day of the year! The prehistoric megalith Stonehenge was designed to align with the sun on the solstices. On the summer solstice, the sun rises behind the Heel Stone and its first rays shine into the centre of Stonehenge.

An aquatint print that depicts an imagined scene of Ancient Britons celebrating a festival at Stonehenge, based on the historical interpretation of the site as a Druidic temple.

13714