iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 26m

The city hall of Sint-Niklaas last evening.

View of a marketplace in front of a city hall built in a late Gothic style, seen against a pale blue sky mostly covered by a blanket of clouds similar to a piece of slightly stretched cottonwool. The sun, placed between the clouds and a row of houses on the left-hand side of the photograph, creates a veil of light that makes the scene appears otherworldly.

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 16h

A lovely view from today's rambling: The church of John the Baptist in Saint-Jean-Sart.

View of a church atop a ledge of a softly sloping hill seen from below against a blue sky. The exterior of the church is covered with grey tiles in a pattern reminiscent of fish scales.

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Joumana Medlej @majnouna.com · 22h

For the evening crew!

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 22h

The Cistercian abbey of Val de Dieu in Wallonia, founded in the thirteenth century. One of many highlights from today's first adventures.

Part of a monastic church seen from the east - the choir, the transept and the spire - framed by two tall oaks, with leaves gilded by the sun. The church is seen against a blue sky, and the sun can be seen shining through the foliage of the right-hand oak.

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Today, I've been biking through parts of Flandern for the better part of three hours. Tomorrow, I will feel pain in muscles that I had forgotten existed.

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Dr. Erika Graham-Goering @jeanneologist.bsky.social · 31/07/2025

My new minigraph on gender, joint leadership, and the historiographical invention of a war can now be freely downloaded here! library.oapen.org/handle/20.50...

Cover of a book entitled "Gendered Reputations and Aristocratic Partnership: Re-Presenting the Breton Civil War from the Fourteenth to Sixteenth Centuries" by Erika Graham-Goering, published by Arc Humanities Press in the series Gender and Power in the Premodern World. The cover image has a medieval manuscript illustration with a nobleman and noblewoman side-by-side on the left, receiving the salutes of a crowd of fancily-dressed people, all in fifteenth-century fashion.

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Dr. Nick Posegay @nposegay.northsky.social · 05/10/2026

The notation system is (apparently) called "Lombardic neumatic notation" and this video is a modern performance of one of Obadiah's manuscripts: www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxtL...

youtube.com

Mi Al Har Horev - Obadiah the Proselyte

YouTube video by Mizmor LeDavid

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Dr. Nick Posegay @nposegay.northsky.social · 05/10/2026

This is the oldest sample of Hebrew text with European musical notation. It's an autograph manuscript of Obadiah the Proselyte, a Norman-Italian priest who converted to Judaism in 1102. He traveled to Egypt and Syria, using his knowledge of Gregorian Chant to record Hebrew poetry. @theul.bsky.social

Torn brown paper manuscript with about 20 red-ruled lines with sporadic musical notes and Hebrew text. The background is a blue and a yellow label reads T-S K5.41 (https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-K-00005-00041/2).

Torn brown paper manuscript with 6 lines of Hebrew text and musical notation. The background is blue and a yellow label reads T-S K5.41 (https://cudl.lib.cam.ac.uk/view/MS-TS-K-00005-00041/1)

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

One of the many gems from today's Belgian shopping (yes, pun intended). While I think it will take a while for me to properly learn Galician, reading this album should prepare me for my next journey to Santiago de Compostela.

Picture of a Galician edition of the Tintin album "The Castafiore Emerald", the Galician title of which is "As Xoias da Castafiore".

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Having a nap in Brussels, & suddenly an accordion starts playing in the streets below. Sometimes stereotypes are nice.

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Leonie V. Hicks @lvhicks.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

You might have heard me mention that 2027 is the European year of the Normans and @britishlibrary.bsky.social is now advertising its major exhibition for that. Think of it as the sequel to the excellent Anglo-Saxon ehibition several years ago. events.bl.uk/exhibitions/... #medievalsky 1/

events.bl.uk

Conquest: The Making of Norman England | British Library

Beyond the battlefield lies a story of ambition, upheaval and reinvention. Spanning the generations before and after 1066, this exhibition traces the impac

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Jill Walker Rettberg @jilltxt.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Det er ikke bare et verdivalg å bruke KI, skriver jeg i dagens Klassekampen, for KI-språket endrer hva som kan sies. Selv om Lars Svendsen står inne for hver setning i boken, så er summen av setninger noe han ikke ville skrevet selv. klassekampen.no/artikkel/202...

klassekampen.no

KI-språket er ikke nøytralt

Selv bruk av KI til enkel språkvask kan endre både form og innhold i en tekst.

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Crossing Sognefjorden, the largest fjord-system in mainland Norway, at sunset.

View of a sunset through a grimy ferry-window. The sun is sinking behind a low ridge in the middle-section of the photo, casting a golden shaft across the billowing waters. The top section of the photo is covered by dark clouds against a dark pale blue sky.

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Karen Attiah @karenattiah.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Today, 8 years ago, my friend, Saudi Journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered.

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Linda Andersson Burnett @lindaaburnett.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

There is still time to register for @sadiahqureshi.bsky.social seminar "Empires of Extinction in the Anthropocene" on Tuesday, 15-16 CET (abstract below). For Zoom link please email: instructingnaturalhistory@uu.se #skystorians #histsci #envhist

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Robert Wiśniewski @relicsclerics.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Warsaw Late Antique Seminar: Winter Semester 2026/7: lateantiqueseminar.historia.uw.edu.pl

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ertruitt.bsky.social @ertruitt.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Order your copy of NECESSARY INVENTIONS: ROGER BACON, THE MIDDLE AGE, AND THE MAKING OF MODERN SCIENCE online from @pennpress.bsky.social and use the code PENN-ETRUITT30 (in the US) or UPPNN30 (outside the US) for a discount! www.pennpress.org/978151282988...

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Aarhus cathedral, originally built c.1190 to replace an earlier, eleventh-century cathedral which was located outside the city centre. The new one was dedicated to Saint Clement, suggesting a local surge in the cult of the holy pope in this period.

Lengthways view of the cathedral of Aarhus, a building in brown-reddish brick with pale green copper roof. On the left-hand side is the tower with a tall spire emerging from its top. On the right-hand side, each side of the cathedral is decorated with a small turren. The windows are Gothic. Much of the building is restored, but some medieval elements remain. The building is seen against a clear blue sky, streaked by some plane fumes.

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Sarah Mead Leonard @smeadleonard.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

It's publication month! "Critical histories of the Arts and Crafts movement" is out October 20. More to come about book launch events, including a digital program with @morrissocietyus.bsky.social

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

I've been reminded of some fragmentology work I did while I was still living in Denmark, so here's one of my favourite fragments. It's a favourite simply because it allowed a colleague & me to do some cutting-edge research into Danish book history. [Syddansk Universitetsbibliotek RARA M 15]

Detail of a fragment from a breviary fragment from c.1200-1220. The lower half of the picture shows the opening of a chant with a blue initial B, and a rubric that reads "antiphon for the first nocturne", which is a part of the divine service of Matins. The notation is square.

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Rory Naismith @rorynaismith.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Very pleased to have worked on this fascinating group of finds with the wonderful @francescatinti.bsky.social , and thanks to the comms team @cam.ac.uk for putting together the release. www.cam.ac.uk/stories/angl...

cam.ac.uk

Anglo-Saxon expats got special treatment in Rome’s 'Little England'

The first material evidence of the Schola Saxonum suggests the Anglo-Saxons in Rome were a thriving and valued expat community.

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Dr Amy Fuller @amyfuller.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

In case you missed it, episode 3 of Challenging Histories, produced by @histfest.bsky.social was out on Monday. I’m talking all things Monsters with the wonderful @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social Available wherever you get your podcasts pod.link/6809223500

pod.link

Challenging Histories

Listen to Challenging Histories wherever you get your podcasts!

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

As someone who binged a lot of Icelandic sagas last autumn, I confirm that this is an excellent summary. There are so many damn kids with names in those stories.

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Elizabeth Boyle @thecelticist.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

"What the islanders discovered were extensive burial grounds, decorated stonework and early buildings – all the features belonging to a major sixth-century monastery, comparable to the much better known site of Iona a little to the south-west." #MedievalSky www.theguardian.com/science/2026...

theguardian.com

‘Hugely exciting’ finds on tiny Scottish island shed light on spread of Christianity

Community-funded archaeological excavations of ‘really important’ sixth-century monastery also rewrite story of Lismore

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Since I've worked a bit on local history lately, I wrote up a lengthy account of how I ended up re-enacting part of the historical voyages that my forebears had to undertake when travelling to church in the period c.1600-1876: my-albion.blogspot.com/2026/09/an-u....

View from a wooded shoreline. In the foreground is a fallen tree trunk, behind which is the pebbled shore of a fjord, a green plastic boat fastened to the trunk, and then the placid waters of the fjord itself, stretching towards the other shore. The upper third of image is taken up by the overhanging branches of an ash tree.

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James A. Palmer @jamespqr77.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In case anyone needs to hear it, making references to Simon of Trent as if the legends about him have any basis in reality puts a big red flag on you that says "antisemite." If you don't understand why that is, I recommend reading a damned history book. Like this one maybe:

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Random Nature Podcast @writingtwobooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

In the meantime, check out this co-authored volume that Steffen Hope et al completed: "The Cult of Saints and Legitimization of Elite Power in East Central and Northern Europe until 1300" Grzegorz Pac, Steffen Hope, and Jón Viðar Sigurðsson www.brepols.net/products/IS-...

brepols.net

Brepols - The Cult of Saints and Legitimization of Elite Power in East Central and Northern Europe up to 1300

Brepols is an international academic publisher of works in the humanities, with a particular focus in history, archaeology, history of the arts, language and literature, and critical editions of histo...

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I'm really happy to have been invited to appear on Random Nature Podcast! This will be a great opportunity to talk about the many ways in which my research connects things past & present, including iconic sitcoms.

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Random Nature Podcast @writingtwobooks.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

And the next guest on Random Nature Podcast???? Steffen Hope, PhD @hopesteffen.bsky.social We will talk about the Random Nature of Western Norway, fjords, St. Olaf, Rose from the Golden Girls and even more! It should air December 4, 2026.

Scandinavian man posing in front of picturesque scene in Vestland, Norway.

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I'm re-upping this post because it is essential that we prevent antisemitists from using legitimate criticism of the state of Israel as an excuse to spout their vile opinions. Those who cannot criticise Israel without turning to antisemitic tropes do not actually care about justice.

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S.J. Pearce @homophonous.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I couldn’t quote-post it, but read the thread I just reposted from — not all anti-Zionism is antisemitism but allowing non-Jews to set the terms for “acceptable” Jewish practice/observance is intolerable.

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Norse Hagiography Network @networknorse.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Today is the feast of St Jerome (c.347-419). Born in Dalmatia, he spent much of his life travelling and studying throughout the Roman Empire, including Rome, Aquileia, Trier, Constantinople, & Bethlehem.

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

This modernised version of Mr. Jones is bloody brilliant.

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Suzanne Karr Schmidt @drkarrschmidt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

ImPRESSed Yet? I am thrilled to announce that Impressive Textiles: Premodern Printing on Fabric will be published October 27 in print and Open Access with @acmrs.bsky.social, thanks to 30 textile and print scholars, and 1 groundbreaking exhibition @newberrylibrary.bsky.social! #CoverReveal 1/5

Cover art for Impressive Textiles: Premodern Printing on Fabric!

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I should be in bed, but the dog is sleeping - & chasing deers in her dreams - so I have to stay put for the foreseeable future.

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Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Children need books that are windows, mirrors, AND sliding glass doors. Books that are mirrors aren't inherently worse than books that are windows. Children (and adults, too) deserve to have all kinds of literature, reflective, informative, and transformative.

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Ennius @enniusredloeb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

29th September is the Feast of St Michael and All Angels. Here is St Michael surrounded by angels and devils as he slays the dragon. BnF MS Latin 833; Missale praemonstratense; 12th century; f.227 @gallicabnf.bsky.social

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Kate Franklin @melucene.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

a little gasp at the Sasanian (?) silk lining the back board of the Fulda Gospel-- Universitat Wurzeburg M.p.th.f.66

the end board of a medieval manuscript, lined in bright yellow silk, with a woven pattern of two facing doves

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James D'Emilio @demiliopics2.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The #Romanesque abbey church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe (Vienne) The barrel vault is painted with scenes from Genesis. Can you spot Noah's ark? The detail is of the building of the Tower of Babel. Great set of ornamental pillar capitals too. #Architecture

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Jill Walker Rettberg @jilltxt.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Vi tror KI som genererer tekst er intelligent pga språket - det er jo samme teknologien som ligger bak bildegenerering, men ingen finner på å kalle bildegeneratorer superintelligente. @annesigrid.bsky.social forklarer et poeng fra @lukasrawilde.bsky.social. youtube.com/shorts/PLj3a...

youtube.com

Hvor intelligent er KI?

YouTube video by Det Norske Videnskaps-Akademi

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

At one point in time, past me was way smarter than present me, & present me is currently reaping the benefits. Thanks, past me, you otherwise nincompoop.

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

An addendum on the feast of Saint Michael: In Norwegian folk-belief, this was the day when mermaids - or rather a troll lady of the sea - would let their cattle graze on land. If people saw these troll-cows grazing at dawn, the fodder would turn bad during the winter.

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Dr. Erika Graham-Goering @jeanneologist.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

It's the feast of St Michael the Archangel! But did you know it is also the feast of the Blessed Charles de Blois, erstwhile duke of Brittany? Yep, that's because he fought the final(ish) battle of the Breton War of Succession at Auray on 29 September 1364, where he died! And boy was it dramatic

The battle of Auray, 1364. Medieval illustration of two armies clashing with spears. Everyone's dressed in full plate, but on foot, standing on a pile of bleeding corpses. The two leaders wear identical ermine tunics and wave banners. The banner on the right is tipping backwards.

High-definition images courtesy of BnF's Mandragore; low-res images courtesy of the Online Froissart.

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Runic inscriptions that mention Saint Michael, reminding us once again that these inscriptions are absolutely brilliant source material.

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Steffen Hope @hopesteffen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

For the feast of Saint Michael the Archangel, here is a view from the remnants of the twelfth-century church atop Slottsfjellet (Castle Mount" in Tønsberg, southeastern Norway. It was part of a castle complex. Churches dedicated to Michael were often, but not always, located on summits.

View of the foundations of a small medieval stone church placed on top of a crag, seen from inside the choir. In the foreground, the crag rises in petrified billows, and in the middle distance are the low remnants of the wall, which outline the shape of the church. A narrow threshold marks the entrance from the nave to the choir, and further back is the threshold for the main entrance to the church itself, even narrower than that between nave and choir. In the far background, a blue stretch of sea lies between the crag and a low, forested ridge on the other wide, all lying beneath a blue cloud-streaked sky.

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Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her) @drsurekhadavies.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I chatted with @amyfuller.bsky.social about HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY, historical research methods, & myths about science and modernity that can get in the way, on the Challenging Histories podcast from @histfest.bsky.social! 💙📚 🗃 #ancient #medieval #earlymodern #histsci pod.link/6809223500

pod.link

Challenging Histories

Listen to Challenging Histories wherever you get your podcasts!

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