iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The name Calliope endures in New Zealand in the form of Calliope Dock at Devonport Naval Base, Auckland. Named after Calliope Point, which was named after HMS Calliope. Coincidentally, the next HMS Calliope (launched 1884) was one of the first ships to enter the dock.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

After returning from war, Calliope found God. Anchoring at Plymouth, the ship was converted into a floating chapel. The ship was broken up in 1883, but the figurehead, representing Calliope, the Ancient Greek muse of epic poetry, survived.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

This is the figurehead of HMS Calliope, a 28-gun warship stationed in New Zealand waters from 1845 to 1848. Her crew saw action at the Battle of Ruapekapeka during the Flagstaff War and during the Hutt Valley campaign. One of the flotilla of figureheads on display at The Box, Plymouth.

The painted figurehead of HMS Calliope, suspended from the ceiling with other figureheads in the background.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

This is so frustrating. I also suspect this will disproportionately impact researchers based outside of Wellington.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Anyone else frustrated by the British Newspaper Archive's new interface?

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

How frustrating. I've always appreciated the thoughtful responses I've received when I've approached authors and historians. It's sad to think that genuine messages might get lost in the AI storm.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

@hornesupremacy.bsky.social Thought of you! This was part of a day of activities organised by the St Tudy Historical Society, exploring early medieval Scandinavian connections to Cornwall

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Today I was lucky enough to watch a Viking procession to the hogback or coped stone at St Tudy, Cornwall. Followed by a demonstration on burial practises. Ft. re-enactors from Havulv and Morvleydh

Re-enactors portraying an early medieval Cornish and Dane warband, walking down a village street on a sunny day

Inside the church a re-enactor lies alongside the hogback or coped stone as part of a demonstration on burial practises. Weapons are laid alongside him, as others watch on.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

“In the Middle Ages the eclipse which took place on Wednesday would certainly have been regarded as having exercised a malign influence, casting an evil shadow before it, and as having caused the terrible disaster to the Titanic” – Isle of Wight Observer, 20 April 1912

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

A previously unseen photo taken on the Anglo-Scottish border during the 17 April 1912 'Titanic Eclipse', 2 days after the sinking of the Titanic. Almost certainly taken by Birmingham schoolmaster and amateur photographer Chas F. Hayward. That same bike appears in others in this series.

B/W photograph of a road at Carter Bar on the Anglo-Scottish border, with signage and telegraph poles visible, and a motorcycle. The sky is overexposed in the top right corner.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

His musical accolades include leading the Truro Philharmonic Orchestra and composing many works, including concertos and a symphony. Sadly, no copies are known to survive, but one can hope that perhaps they might be rediscovered in an archive or private collection one day.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

“With the same advantages as were enjoyed by most of the great composers of Europe, this man might have become a Mendelssohn or a Beethoven; but as it was, it was the achievement of extraordinary perfection, despite a thousand obstacles and difficulties” – James Silk Buckingham

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

This week, I paid my respects at the grave of a remarkable man, Joseph Emidy. Enslaved by Portuguese traders, press-ganged into the Royal Navy during the French Revolutionary War, and then settled in Cornwall, where he is remembered as a highly influential musician. #BlackHistory

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Reposted by Lemuel Lyes

Alasdair Beckett-King @misterabk.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

I don't want to get a reputation for liking point and click games, but @joerichardson.bsky.social's trilogy is a constant delight and genuinely very funny. Not just funny for a game, but actually funny.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Finally got to see it this week. The armour and accents irked me, but I thought it was great cinema!

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Thank you! I’m glad you’re enjoying them! There’s plenty more in this series to keep me busy for a while.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Dating back to the 11th century, Southwell Minster was extensively restored during the Victorian period and, in 1884, officially became a cathedral, though it is still commonly known as Southwell Minster. This photograph was likely taken around two or three decades later.

B/W view inside Southwell Minster. c. 1908 – 1915. The Schoolmaster's Slides – associated with Chas F. Hayward. Lemuel Lyes Collection

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

As someone who has spent many years conducting original historical research, it hurts to see that work and the work of others being plagiarised. It won't stop me, though. AI regurgitates what's been done before; the thrill for me is unearthing the unseen, untold and overlooked.

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Reposted by Lemuel Lyes

Nic Rawlence @nicrawlencenz.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

Sam Neill's iconic role as Dr Alan Grant in #JurassicPark has been a huge inspiration to generations of children & palaeontologists (incl. myself), so Michael Mills (@heapsgood.bsky.social) & I decided we should write a tribute to the dinosaur man theconversation.com/how-sam-neil... 1/2 🧵

theconversation.com

How Sam Neill’s Jurassic Park performance inspired a generation of paleontologists

As Dr Alan Grant in Jurassic Park, Sam Neill portrayed a scientist who was authentic, normal and relatable. For many budding paleontologists, it was life changing.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

Not sure who the characters were, but the ones in the trailer who look like they’ve stepped out of the Renaissance.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 19/07/2026

I'm tempted to go see it, but worry that I'll just end up seething at the absurd armour. That and every recent big historical drama I've got excited about has been a disappointment.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

I absolutely love these; so ephemeral, yet miraculously they have survived for over a century. I like to imagine this projected on the classroom wall, and the excitement ahead of a big match. I wonder who won; did Somerville come out on top? And what became of all those young players?

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

A long time ago, before the World Cup was even a twinkle in FIFA's eye, another tournament was underway in Edwardian Birmingham... While most of the slides in this extraordinary collection are photos, there are a very small number of hand-drawn images - likely produced for schoolchildren.

A hand-drawn slide depicting a football game, with the caption "PLAY UP SOMERVILLE! We want you to win the league". Likely the work of Somerville Primary Schoolmaster and amateur photographer Chas F. Hayward. The Schoolmaster's Slides. Lemuel Lyes Collection.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

I'm bracing for a series of lectures from experts on all the egregious errors and all the reasons why this is bad history, or overlooks this or that - but on the face of it, this film looks... really intriguing! Dare I say, I'm excited for this! www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVkr...

youtube.com

THE UPRISING - Official Trailer [HD] - Only In Theaters September 11

YouTube video by Focus Features

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The market cross at Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Built c. 1490s, this photo was taken during the Edwardian era. "There is a right fair and costeley peace of worke in the market place made all of stone and curiusly voultid for poore market folkes to stande dry when rayne cummith". - John Leland, 1544

B/W slide of the Malmesbury Market Cross, c. 1908 - 1915. A few people stand nearby while others sit inside. The Schoolmaster's Slides – associated with Chas F. Hayward. Lemuel Lyes Collection

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

I was thinking of the start of Jurassic Park when a velociraptor was delivered to the park in a cage at night. Similar vibes!

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Reposted by Lemuel Lyes

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

True story, which you can read about in our newly released paperback 😆 www.waterstones.com/book/ring-of...

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

... but most impressive for me personally is that she played the Dawn Treader in the BBC's Chronicles of Narnia. A series I thrashed as a kid. For my 8th birthday, I even had a cake inspired by this ship. Today I finally had the opportunity to climb aboard and say thank you for all the adventures.

On the deck of Phoenix, a tall ship built in 1929 and best-known for her onscreen roles.

The tall ship Phoenix entering the harbour at Charlestown, Cornwall.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Met a TV/film superstar today at Charlestown, Cornwall. This is the Phoenix. She has starred in 1492: Conquest of Paradise, Poldark, Outlander, Hornblower, In the Heart of the Sea, Mansfield Park, Amazing Grace, Napoleon, Doctor Who, and far too many others to list...

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

The Cerne Abbas Giant is looking great after his glow-up! Earlier this month, he was rechalked by a team of volunteers. Quite the difference from my last visit in September. His, ahem, features look even more impressive now. #ChalkMaxxing

Cerne Abbas Giant, September 2025. My photo.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Thank you very much. A ghost walk around Durham would be an interesting experience!

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

I'd love to hear from anyone else who has heard any stories of a coach ghost in the Bowburn and Shincliffe area in County Durham. @misterabk.bsky.social

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

...Although I suspect that the constant stream of loud cars might scare the ghost horses away. The lights and sounds of modernity aren’t conducive to phantom coach sightings, and I suspect neither is the advent of smartphones. At least I tried. No regrets.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Add some fog, and the straight stretch through the countryside could be just as atmospheric. But sadly, I was not blessed with a visit from the phantom coach. If my schedule allowed, then I would’ve walked it at midnight, perhaps that would make a difference...

Road through the countryside, looking in the direction of Shincliffe.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

There's a wooded section where I could easily imagine a spectral encounter on a dark night.

Wooded section of the road between Shincliffe and Bowburn.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

I consulted historical maps to ensure I followed my g-grandfather’s route as closely as possible. The modern A177 still follows the line of the road shown on both the 1898 and c.1919-1926 maps, apart from a bypass around High Shincliffe. Fortunately, it was easy enough to follow the original road

The road from Shincliffe, heading south towards Bowburn.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

So I figure that the alleged spectral encounter was likely somewhere between Shincliffe and Bowburn, and occurred sometime between 1906, when the colliery opened, and 1915, when my great-grandparents married.

St Mary the Virgin, Shincliffe. My photo.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

My great-grandmother's family lived in nearby Shincliffe, a historic village with a parish church, a charming pub, and a nearby Georgian estate. I have a postcard that Lemuel later sent to Annie, addressed to 'Seven Star Buildings'. I visited the pub and enjoyed a fab steak pie.

Seven Stars Inn, Shincliffe. Built 1724. My photo.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

Lemuel lived with his parents and siblings in Bowburn, where he worked as a miner. The house he was living in at the time is now a Chinese takeaway, and there are only a few reminders that Bowburn was once the site of one of Durham's largest collieries.

'The People's Lamp' Bowburn. Remembering the Bowburn Colliery and other coalfields. My photo.

Durham Rd, Bowburn. My great-grandfather's family home is now a Chinese takeaway. After he married my great-grandmother, he moved to another similar terrace home a couple of blocks away.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

The story goes that when Lemuel was courting my great-grandmother at a nearby village, he would often walk home alone at night, and it was on one of those occasions that a spectral coach, complete with footmen, came barreling past him.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

I went on a ghost hunt! According to family lore, my great-grandfather Lemuel used to tell the story of an encounter he had with a phantom coach in County Durham. Over a century later, I retraced his footsteps to see if I could coax the old coach ghost out of retirement…

Lamp post in the churchyard at Shincliffe, County Durham. My photo.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Why is it okay to do this to a person, but not okay to do it to a fictional mouse?

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 27/05/2026

My growing collection of miniature replicas of medieval monuments! King Doniert's Stone and the Other Half Stone, the Jordanhill/Govan Cross, and my most recent addition, Govan 2 Hogback. All based on 3D scans of the originals. Made by the talented @archaeoptics.bsky.social #Cornwall #GovanStones

Miniature replicas of four medieval monuments

King Doniert's Stone, and the Other Half Stone. My photo

The Jordanhill Cross or Govan Cross, Glasgow. My photo.

Hogback stone, The Govan Stones, Glasgow. My photo.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 26/05/2026

Visiting Glastonbury Abbey during a heatwave. Yearning for the Dark Ages and the mists of Avalon. #GlastonburyAbbey

Selfie. Err I mean a photo of a pig being roasted over the fire in the Abbot's Kitchen, Glastonbury Abbey. One of the few cool places to shelter from the sun.

Glastonbury Abbey on a very hot sunny day.

The ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. The alleged grave of King Arthur and his queen, Guinevere, is just out of sight to the left.

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

What a special place! Would’ve let you know beforehand and shouted you a drink, but it was a last minute visit. Had a spare day in Carlisle and realised I could make it work!

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

I’ve been blessed to have one of @archaeoptics.bsky.social miniatures of the Govan Cross / Jordanhill Cross on my desk for a couple of years now - it was amazing to see the real thing at last! And I may have snapped up a hogback stone from the gift shop to join it.

The Govan Cross, also known as the Jordanhill Cross

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Lemuel Lyes @lemuellyes.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Damn straight I travelled up to Glasgow for the day specifically to see the Govan Stones @govanstones.bsky.social Worth it! So very worth it! I thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour with @hornesupremacy.bsky.social

Hogback stones (Viking Age grave markers)

A hunting scene of the side of the Govan sarcophagus

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