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barbarayorke.bsky.social

@barbarayorke.bsky.social
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
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University of Cambridge @cam.ac.uk · 02/10/2026
In the early Middle Ages, the Anglo-Saxons developed a “Little England” in Rome. New research from @rorynaismith.bsky.social @francescatinti.bsky.social @department-asnc.bsky.social suggests that early English expats avoided ‘travel money’ hassle thanks to the Pope. More: bit.ly/4hrFfKc
The image features a street scene in Rome. Superimposed is an inset of an historic illustration, depicting a seated figure in medieval attire reading a book. The text reads: "New Cambridge research: Anglo-Saxon expats received special treatment from the Pope in Rome's 'Little England.'"
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David Petts @davidpetts1.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Upcoming conference from the Society for Church Archaeology. Why not join the society? I'm chair of this society, and we're always looking for new members. www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/society-fo...
eventbrite.co.uk
Society for Church Archaeology Annual Conference and AGM 2026
Join us as we celebrate the latest developments in church archaeology in the city of Chester
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
New from Ryan Lavelle: to be published in November. Bet this'll be excellent! yalebooks.co.uk/book/9780300...
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Dr Rebecca Tyson @tyguson.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Without judgement, fear, or favour, the RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. It has done so for 200 years and will continue to do so. RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes made this statement countering the misinformation circulating about the RNLI’s work in the Channel rnli.org/video-player...
rnli.org
Peters Update Tuesday 8th September 2026.
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barbarayorke.bsky.social @barbarayorke.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Upcoming Relics conference
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barbarayorke.bsky.social @barbarayorke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Upcoming conference for anyone interested in saints or royal relics. Further details to follow.
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barbarayorke.bsky.social @barbarayorke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
I have been embarrassed on more than one occasion by people whose work I have reviewed guessing it was me - fortunately not saying anything really bad, but still…
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Medieval Art Research @medartres.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Heather Pulliam's new publication, ‘Art, Nature and the Body in Early Medieval Britain and Ireland,’ explores how early medieval art objects shaped spiritual experiences and interactions with the natural world through phenomenological and eco-critical lenses.
medievalartresearch.com
New Publication: ‘Art, Nature and the Body in Early Medieval Britain and Ireland’, by Heather Pulliam
Heather Pulliam's new publication, ‘Art, Nature and the Body in Early Medieval Britain and Ireland,’ explores how early medieval art objects shaped spiritual experiences and interactions with the natural world through phenomenological and eco-critical lenses.
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barbarayorke.bsky.social @barbarayorke.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Upcoming conference for anyone interested in saints or royal relics. Further details to follow.
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Clare Downham @downham.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
New book - publication date April 2027 - #booksky #medievalsky
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Just back from a wonderful week's digging @hugh-willmott.co.uk's excavations at #cerneabbey. It's such a magical place.
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lastpositivist.bsky.social @lastpositivist.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Just as a coda: the O'Reilly case is pretty parallel and interesting if you wanna read more (www.varsity.co.uk/news/26105 + 21percent.org?p=1035), and I think losing the position is about appropriate punishment for his sins so in an ideal world we'd leave Arday alone now by my reckoning.
varsity.co.uk
Plagiarising professor stays in post and threatens student journalists
More than twelve pages of an article published under O’Reilly's name had been lifted almost word for word from two essays by one of his students
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The Pictish Arts Society @pictishartssociety.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
The full agenda is now up for our 2026 conference, held online from 3-4 October. Join us to learn about the Pictishness of Pictish art, as well as the latest archaeological research from Pictland. Plus: the inside track on the making of Carved in Stone, a stunning Pictland-set TTRPG. #MedievalSky
thepictishartssociety.org.uk
Conf | The PAS
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Clare Downham @downham.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
open access book #archaeology #medievalsky www.sidestone.com/books/royalt...
sidestone.com
Royalty and Ritual @ Sidestone Press
Medieval kings and kingship, and the rituals that define them, continue to captivate both scholars and the wider public. This interdisciplinary volume offers a Europe-wide perspective on early medieva...
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barbarayorke.bsky.social @barbarayorke.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Sad sad sad
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Dr James Alexander Cameron @drjacameron.stainedglassattitudes.com · 15/07/2026
Monument to archaeologist Birthe Kjølbye-Biddle, within excavation of the Old Minster at Winchester she worked on from 1964. It is just S of site of the shrine of St Swithun in the E arm of 992/4, demolished under Bishop Wakelin 1093-4. Note her birthday was his feast: 15 July (pics taken last Sept)
Black polished stone with inset marble disc and cross at head, laid flat on grass, surrounded by modern brick marking out robbed foundations of Winchester Old Minster.

Text: "Birthe Kjølbye-Biddle
15th July 1941
16 January 210
Archaeologist
Excavator of Old Minster
Wife of
Martin Biddle

Parents of Signe & Solvej"

Flowers have been placed on the graveView of Winchester Cathedral from the NW, with the Romanesque transepts built in the 1080s and the nave as remodelled toward the end of the 14th century.

The square set out centre in the centre is the platform for the site of St Swithun's shrine, from when the new E arm of the Old Minster was dedicated 992x4 to 15 July 1093 when his body was removed to the new Cathedral. Birthe's monument is just visible below and right of the fourth nave buttress from the east.
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Dr Stuart McKie @bigfridge224.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Six key messages from Exeter UCU. The upshot is that these proposed cuts are unnecessary and damaging. We must stop them. Please amplify these messages if you can!
Exeter Uni’s finances are strong. We’ve large cash reserves (£200m in 24/25). Never had a budget deficit. This ‘crisis’ is manufactured.
Executive pay at Exeter is out of control. If just the 16 highest-paid execs capped their salary at £120k, we’d save more money than all the cuts to Archeology & History!
No meaningful consultation, but a confused mess: faulty and insufficient data, no real discussion, and an impossible, anxiety-inducing and unreasonable timetable to push this through over the summer.
An all-staff meeting of 600 staff resoundingly voted no confidence in Vice Chancellor Lisa Roberts (whose pay and benefits are pushing £400k). We believe this is the biggest single vote by any uni staff in the history of UK HE.
Redundancies are a management choice, not a financial necessity. They even have alternative costed plans with no cuts, but think it’s easier to go for job losses.
Exeter is a fantastic uni, with world-class research, creative and inspiring teaching, and a caring, thoughtful and imaginative community of staff and students. Let’s keep it that way.
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Ben Phillips @benphillips1989.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
A statement from Exeter UCU branch @ucu.org.uk - please share far and wide.
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Pauline Stafford @pstafford.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
This looks fascinating and a must read.
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
Nice to see Anglo-Saxon saints can still make headlines! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Secret Dorset: The remarkable undisturbed remains of St Wite
Radio Solent's Steve Harris explores the spiritual heritage of St Wite's shrine in a Dorset church.
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Fraser McNair @ralphtorta.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
Rosamond McKitterick, my doctoral supervisor, has died. It is deeply unfair that someone so healthy should have been taken before her due time. But although I am sad, it is heartening to to think not just about the legacy left by her body of work...
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Pauline Stafford @pstafford.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Have used the Victoria County History for decades. Any opportunity to bring its excellent work to people’s attention. Not on the payroll - just a fan.
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
... in other words, I've long known that much of the best research is done by people who aren't working in universities. But it's hard though - to make the time, to build a library, to gain the courage, to create the networks that you need. But it is possible. And aren't I proud of them!
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Dr Francis Young @drfrancisyoung.bsky.social · 20/05/2026
"One thing is for sure – a heritage crime is being committed here and it stinks."
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Adam Chapman @adamchapman.bsky.social · 17/05/2026
This cause is close to my heart - genuinely, the amazing Salisbury Collection of Welsh history, language and literature was a major boon in completing my PhD: having this on open shelves was worth semi regular trips from Southampton, I’m forever in the library’s debt.
you.38degrees.org.uk
Save the second floor of Cardiff University's Arts and Social Studies Library (ASSL)
Dear current patrons, past patrons, and future patrons of Arts and Social Sciences Library (ASSL) at Cardiff University. On Friday 17th of May, library staff of the ASSL were informed by University Li...
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Margot Finn @eicathomefinn.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Or should VCs and the academic members of their senior teams instead be required to lead and teach 1 undergraduate module per term/semester, including all module admin and marking? Non-academic members of SMTs could all annually take a module, completing all assessments. Serious counterproposal. 3/3
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
And the answer is: Patrick Womald -- in this piece in @lrb.co.uk. www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v0...
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Royal Archaeological Institute @royalarchinst.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Our final lecture of the 2025-26 season will be presented by our President, @nathaliecohen.bsky.social on ‘The Lamp of Knowledge: the symbol of the Society of Antiquaries’ Weds 13 May at 5pm. youtube.com/live/ceIiIrj...
youtube.com
AGM and The Lamp of Knowledge: the Symbol of the Society of Antiquaries I Nathalie Cohen
YouTube video by Royal Archaeological Institute
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Claire Boardman @claireboardman.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
I'm very sorry to hear this sad news ... "The Ness team was saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Anna Ritchie – a major figure in Scottish archaeology." www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/knap-of-howa...
nessofbrodgar.co.uk
Knap of Howar excavator passes away - The Ness of Brodgar Project
The Ness team were saddened to learn of the passing of Dr Anna Ritchie - a major figure in Scottish archaeology.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 13/05/2026
"Ultimately, the UK needs to review how higher education is funded and regulated. We cannot leave the future of essential teaching and research to a scramble for students and a race to recruit." #Skystorians
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Oxbow Books @oxbowbooks.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
Get to know an iconic figure of the Dorset landscape with our next #LocalHistoryMonth pick: A Date With the Two Cerne Giants ➡️ bit.ly/4nnPxO8
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Pauline Stafford @pstafford.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
This is appalling. So sorry, but also angry to hear all this. Is anyone, anywhere making any overall plans about HE provision? Rhetorical question, obviously. I know the answer.
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Robert Gallagher @hwaetspur.bsky.social · 11/05/2026
Francesca has beaten me to it, which says a lot about how kind she is, but yes, the e-book is out!
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Medievalist.net @medievalists.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Medieval Manuscript in Rome Contains Rare Copy of Cædmon’s Hymn www.medievalists.net/2026/04/medi... #OldEnglish #medievalsky
medievalists.net
Medieval Manuscript in Rome Contains Rare Copy of Cædmon’s Hymn - Medievalists.net
A rediscovered medieval manuscript in Rome reveals a rare early copy of Cædmon’s Hymn, the oldest known poem in English.
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Levi Roach @proflroach.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
Exciting times for the study 11thC England: the 'lost' seal of Edward the Confessor has been rediscovered in the Archives nationales de France! #SkyStorians #MedievalSky
news.exeter.ac.uk
Lost seal of Edward the Confessor found after being missing for 40 years
An 11th-century Anglo-Saxon seal belonging to Edward the Confessor has been rediscovered more than 40 years after being declared lost. The wax impression of the ‘Saint-Denis seal’ disappeared without ...
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The Pictish Arts Society @pictishartssociety.bsky.social · 11/04/2026
The final lecture in our current season is not to be missed! David Osgarby, PhD researcher at @glasgow.ac.uk, will share a new approach to understanding the Pictish symbols as a writing system. Lectures are for members only, but there's still time to join: www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us
Flyer for the Pictish Arts Society lecture on Friday 17 April 2026 at 7.30pm via Zoom. The title is ‘What can a writing systems approach bring to understanding Pictish symbols?’. The speaker is David Osgarby, PhD researcher, University of Glasgow. The abstract reads: 'Pictish Symbols exhibit many of the characteristic features of a writing system: there is a fixed inventory of symbols; these symbols repeat with varying frequencies; there is both stability and systematic change over time; and they occur in contexts where known writing systems are used in nearby contemporary traditions. 

Given that the evidence points towards Pictish Symbols as a writing system—expressing personal names in most preserved contexts—this presentation seeks to use the study of writing systems (grapholinguistics) to explore what could be said about the likely Pictish writing system.' The speaker bio reads: 'David Osgarby is a second year PhD Student at the University of Glasgow in the Department of Celtic & Gaelic supervised by Prof. Katherine Forsyth and Prof. Roibeard Ó Maolalaigh. His background is in linguistics and his research interests include documentary and descriptive linguistics, the comparative and theoretical study of writing systems, and decipherment methodologies.' The photograph is of David standing next to a Pictish Class I symbol stone from Aberlemno in Angus, with incised carvings of a 'horseshoe' and 'Pictish beast' symbols. A line at the bottom reads: 'Please note lectures are for PAS members only. To join the Society, please visit www.thepictishartssociety.org.uk/join-us.
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 29/03/2026
George Garnett on Stephen Baxter @oxhistoryfaculty.bsky.social. www.history.ox.ac.uk/stephen-baxt...
history.ox.ac.uk
Stephen Baxter : a Memorial
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Great to see @davidpetts1.bsky.social will be giving the next Deerhurst Lecture.
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Judith Jesch @judithjesch.bsky.social · 24/03/2026
For all those participating in the 'Harold boating' discourse...
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Charles West @pseudo-isidore.bsky.social · 21/03/2026
I wonder how this theory will be received. www.theguardian.com/culture/2026...
theguardian.com
‘A fascinating discovery’: research challenges Battle of Hastings narrative
Harold may have sailed, not marched, in 1066, reshaping explanations for his defeat in England’s historic battle
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Dr Alan Montgomery @classicalalan.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Probably the finest door in England for #AdoorableThursday - the Saxon doorway of the Holy Trinity church in Colchester, constructed in the 11th century from recycled Roman bricks.
A door with a pointed arch in a brick and stone tower, with trees to the right and a church window to the left.
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Caitlin Green @caitlinrgreen.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
'Alfred the Great’s Indian Embassy: How likely is it that Alfred the Great sent two emissaries to India in the ninth century?' - an article by me in History Today: www.historytoday.com/archive/hist...
historytoday.com
Alfred the Great’s Indian Embassy
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Judith Jesch @judithjesch.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
Nice 🧵 #runes #epigraphy
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Helen Gittos @helengittos.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
There will be a memorial service for Prof. Stephen Baxter @oxhistoryfaculty.bsky.social on Saturday 13 June, 2.30pm in St Peter's College chapel. www.spc.ox.ac.uk/events/memor...
spc.ox.ac.uk
Memorial Service for Prof Stephen Baxter | St Peter's College Oxford
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Oxbow Books @oxbowbooks.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
Uncover the extraordinary results of archaeological investigations at Rendlesham, Suffolk, which offer new perspectives on early English society and the origins of the English kingdoms. Pre-order your copy of this royally good read ➡️ bit.ly/4bareyK
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Robert Gallagher @hwaetspur.bsky.social · 23/02/2026
This has been a slog but I’m pleased to day that I’m currently checking the proofs, which means this book will soon be out in the wild!
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Dr Tess Machling @tessmachling.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
Stunning work! #Archaeology 🏺 www.abdn.ac.uk/news/25127/
abdn.ac.uk
Storms reveal rare 2,000-year-old footprints on Scottish beach
Storms which recently ravaged Britain's coastline have revealed 2,000-year-old footprints on an Angus beach - one of only a handful of locations in the UK where markings of this kind have ever been di...
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barbarayorke.bsky.social @barbarayorke.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Very pleased to have made a contribution to this volume - searching for possible early medieval royal nunneries in Pictland.
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UHI Institute for Northern Studies @insuhi.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
New book on pre-order - 'Royalty and Ritual: The Landscape of Power in Early Medieval Scotland and Europe' edited by Professor Alex Sanmark ( @thinkuhi.bsky.social Institute for Northern Studies), Dr Mark Hall, Professor Jane Geddes & Dr Oisin Plumb (UHI INS) tinyurl.com/2w43wrt5
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