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Our guides Alison & Geoff on the @yorkminster.bsky.social ‘Chapter House & Mason’s Loft Tour’ were brilliant and so knowledgable. If you’re in York, do check the website and book yourself into the tour. Your ticket gets you entry to the Minster for a whole year too. #yorkminster #medieval #tour

Lastly you come into the most spectacular space, standing inside the amazing timber structure of the Chapter House Roof @yorkminster.bsky.social Photos really don’t do it justice, you have to see it to understand the sheer scale & skill of what they achieved. #yorkminster #stonemasons #medieval

We got to walk across a section of the roof at @yorkminster.bsky.social and get some unique views of the architecture. The structure in the second image is the outside of the Chapter House Roof. You get a close up view of some of the stone-carving from here too. #yorkminster #stonemason #medieval

Next stop, up a hidden spiral staircase was the Mason’s Loft at @yorkminster.bsky.social to see the wooden templates used by the stonemasons, and the space where the designs were drawn out onto the floor. They even had a self-flushing garderobe! #yorkminster #stonemason #medieval

Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

Yesterday I went on the Chapter House & Mason’s Loft Tour at @yorkminster.bsky.social and it was fantastic! A fascinating glimpse at some behind-the-scenes spaces, and unique views. We started in the Chapter House, and then headed up into the hidden spaces above this beautiful ceiling #yorkminster

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OMG yes, my grandparents had these!

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 22/12/2024

Just a stone’s throw away from University college where C.S. Lewis studied, and Magdalen where he was a fellow, these fawn carvings and lamp post in St. Mary’s Passage, Oxford are thought to have been the inspiration for ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’. #oxford #cslewis #narnia

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 18/12/2024

I’m just intrigued at what you’re watching 😂

This is definitely a thing, and also, almost peak British 😂

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I really, really want to read this book now!! 😂

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It’s a really great discussion, and it was a totally justified moan!!

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 26/11/2024

This is a really good discussion between @nathenamin.bsky.social and @rebeccarideal.bsky.social for @histfest.bsky.social about the #princesinthetower documentary, especially on the reality of tv history programmes being entertainment. If you want the detailed research, read the books!

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I agree. It’s difficult, and the safeguards are so important, but I think certain circumstances justify us being allowed the choice.

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

Wow, what an amazing source, such a clear image!

Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 25/11/2024

This looks fascinating. I love the gallery, but it’s a bit of a trek for me from Oxford!

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

This 1495 gem of an illustration warns against vanity, with the tale of a young woman who spent too much time in front of the mirror, only to see the terrifying sight of the devil displaying his rear-end in the reflection. Given by Marquard vom Stein to his daughters, Elsa & Jakobea. #medievalwomen

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

It was great to see & smell historical scents recreated by the brilliant @tashamarks.bsky.social of AVM Curiosities at #MedievalWomen exhibition at @britishlibrary.bsky.social It really brings history to life to read a ‘recipe’ and then smell that recreated! #britishlibrary #historicalscents

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 24/11/2024

I absolutely loved the Medieval Women exhibition at the @britishlibrary.bsky.social so many amazing manuscripts, objects, and fascinating stories, definitely worth a second visit. #medievalwonen #manuscripts #britishlibrary

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 21/11/2024

D, more interesting than the others…

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

I recognised the Tower of London and Durham, but not the second.

Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

Done! Is there a Tudor Trio account? 😊

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Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

😂 museums would be a surprisingly good subject for a sitcom 🤣

Jools Parker @joolsparker.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

This list made me laugh, ‘Telephoned a teacher to say they left one child behind’ and ‘styled out two lift entrapments in one day as “this never happens” particularly accurate 😂 #museums #heritage

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If reincarnation is a thing, I really want to come back as a cat 😂

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You just know revenge will be plotted…

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Wish we knew who has bought it!

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And a detail of the Fife Tiara, showing the wonderful cut and construction. #tiara #jewels #jewellery #gemstones #historicjewels

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This photo shows Princess Louise wearing the tiara.

The Fife Diamond Tiara 1887. Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's granddaughter, was given this tiara on her wedding day by her husband, the Duke of Fife. Designed by Parisian jeweller Oscar Massin, the pear shaped diamonds are 'swing-set' allowing them to move & catch the light when the tiara is worn.

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Queen Victoria’s full emerald and diamond set, with parure (necklace, earrings and brooch) and tiara.

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In 1960, Caroline, wife of the 3rd Duke of Fife, was photographed wearing the tiara and parure at the State Opening of Parliament, so it’s probable that Victoria gave the set directly to her granddaughter Princess Louise, Duchess of Fife, the current Duke’s grandmother.

The Queen, delighted with the gift, wrote in her diary of her husband's 'wonderful taste'. Today the tiara & parure belong to the 3rd Duke of Fife. In the 1880s, Princess Victoria (Victoria’s granddaughter and grandmother of the Duke of Edinburgh), was shown wearing the tiara as part of a costume.

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Queen Victoria's Emerald Tiara. 1845. 'Albert has such taste, & arranges everything for me about my jewels’ Victoria in her journal, 22nd February 1843. Prince Albert worked closely with the Queen's Jeweller, Joseph Kitching, to design the tiara to match Victoria's emerald & diamond parure.

An image of a tiara made of large
emeralds and diamonds, in front of a portrait of Queen Victoria wearing the same tiara.

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