iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Delighted to see Paige Donaghy, 'Mola, False Conception, and False Pregnancy in British Medicine, 1550-1850' (Durham IMEMS, Boydell, 2026), discussing the Countess of Westmorland's letters, and much muchmore

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

May 1644, contract for William Gabriel joiner to the Earl of Moray at Donibristle, 'wainscot according to the subscribed draught ... for every capital head (according to the mantle-sill in the said room) ten shillings sterling'

Detail from a contract made with an English joiner for a new dining room at Donibristle House in Fife, Moray papers.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Inch House, Edinburgh, doors open today. My first visit. Early 17th-century replacement spiral stairs with slightly later and super rare carved oak double doorcases at landings

Pair of doors on a landing into the two rooms of the oldest part of the house

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Pedantry belated. Looking at the Malone volume now, the first item in the section (despite the heading) was in August 1613, the pageant for Anna of Denmark at Wells, Henry Colborne being her usher. The Wells entry was printed by Emanuel Green (1893), 221: babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=ny...

Malone Collections VI (1962), pp. 108-109.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

She signed an interesting inventory for Brechin Castle, NLS 5114

Marie Stewart.
Since this inventar was mead thir is sundrie beds and burds mead new as the compts beares - with sum uther necessaires to the hous

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Loaded with state-of-the-art weaponry, monumental flak towers were constructed in German cities in the 1940s

from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flak_tower

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

And, as I don't think there are many of these, a full length of a young lad with a hat in the same costume ballpark, private collection. From Rosalind K. Marshall, Childhood in Seventeenth Century Scotland, 1976.

Portrait of William Kerr, 3rd Earl of Lothian, as a young man.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Very nice, the pink doublet had another outing it seems

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

One of the DOST cites is a list of council acts from the 1580s, which may suggest that bikkering was a special kind of disruptive archery practiced only on Sundays

'bikkering' on Sundays proscribed, mentioned in a list of Edinburgh burgh council acts of the 1580s. Extracts Edinburgh Burgh Records, 5, p. 386.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

William Cecil's daughter had measles in August 1566 and was ill at Burghley, so Elizabeth I stayed at the Greyfriars in Stamford, telling a French visitor Jean de Vulcob that when she had measles herself in 1562 she was like death for three or four days, (Bnf 15970)

de rougeolle ou petite verolle, qui est une maladie qu'elle [Elizabeth] craint sur toutes, d'autant qu'elle fut tellement persecutee il y a environ quatre ans (a ce que luy mesme me dict) que on la teint quasi pour morte

que sa fille [Cecil's daughter] estoit malade de la rogeolle en sadicte maison [Bughley House]

Greyfriar's, Stamford, outside the town's gate

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

At last, a letter from Anna of Denmark worth reading, to Henry de Gunderot, a German at the English court sent to France in April 1608: - Don't forget the good white Rhenish wine natural to us and the accidental French red (copy), gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/b...

From a copy of a letter from Anna of Denmark to Henry de Gunderot, Bnf Depuy 33 f.156. Her pleasantry about wine. He was in the Barriers in January 1606.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Costantini de' Servi, noted for his squeaky winch in the staging of The Somerset Masque, December 1613, did some other interesting stuff (news to me): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Costant...

'Bildnis des Costantinvs de Servi, Digitaler Portrait Index: https://www.portraitindex.de/documents/obj/33900400

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Elizabeth Ogilvy, Countess of Lauderdale, writes to her father about baby names in March 1726, before going to Hatton House in West Lothian, 'whatever come of me is no great matter'. She subsequently called her son Alexander after the 10th Earl of Glencairn, her husband's grandfather

Lauderdale Peerage, 3 (1885), pp. 43-45 (HathiTrust).

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Intensive research of the first page of our title deeds has revealed that the garden boundary wall, "to be between five and eight feet high", was designed by David McGibbon, an architect best known for his sketches of Scottish castles

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Two Chinese mythological animals, the flaming 'qilin' and the 'fenghuang' a sort of bird

A Chinese porcelain tea caddy with mythogical animals depicted at either end

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Definitely nothing cool about the place in my day

Worcester Cathedral School, the King's School, nerdy sixth formers on College green several decades ago

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Is there a word for these ranks of gradated pearls seen depicted on French costume of the 1660s?

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

'shortlie thereftir, the quene being in my place did maik demission in fafaris off hir soune the prynce of the croun off Scotland, quhilk I knew nocht quhill the samyn was doune', Testament and Memoir of William Douglas of Lochleven. National Records of Scotland GD150/2234

Testament and Memoir of William Douglas of Lochleven. National Records of Scotland GD150/2234

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Regent Arran's July 1547 Langholm itinerary is recorded in a household book, National Records of Scotland E31/9 f.58. It says he'll be burning the homes of the rascal inhabitants of Ewesdale and Eskdale as well as tackling the English at Langholm

Page from a household book describing expenses for feeding Regent Arran and his army for 11 days in June 1547.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

17 July 1547, James Hamilton, Regent Arran, captures an English fort at Langholm. His household was nearby at Staplegordon, possibly at the castle of Barntalloch

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Recent grainy photograph of old family home sent by nostalgic brother

White cottage seen from a distance across orchard valley

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Yet another letter from d'Esneval about the 'only portrait painter in Edinburgh', this one is Cotton Nero BVI f.397, the artist would 'faire tirer ung aultre', make a copy of a recent portrait of James VI for his mother, Falkland, August 1586

Image of a letter Cotton Nero BVI f.397, d'Esneval describes his progress commissioning a portrait of James VI in Edinburgh, a copy of new picture (he is getting another for Catherine de' Medici), August 1586, written at Falkland Palace.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Lovely handwriting from an Italian merchant who wants to sell a billiment for a French hood to Henry VIII in 1533, BL Nero B/VI f.1, it is 'gemis & margaretis suffultum'

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

'I have a fine standish for you, which was given me out of the exchequer, which because you shall not neglect your writing, I send to you' 22 November 1605, Thomas Gayton to his wife Margaret

image of TNA SP 46/60 f.179, letter from Thomas Gayton to his wife Margaret

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

An opportunity arises to dust off a vintage ppt from 2008, featuring Charles McKean's limewashed Craignethan Castle

imaginative watercolour reconstruction of Craignethan Castle, with gleaming whitewashed walls, painted by Charles McKean

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

Speeches of the fates at Theobalds for Anna of Denmark aka Bell Anna's houswarming , May 1607, "Shee ys the grace of all that are / and as Elisa, now a starre", Folger X.d.475. digitalcollections.folger.edu/bib193447-24...

Dialogue of the Fares at Theobalds, image Folger Shakepeare Library, X.d.475, f.2v.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

The monument of Robert Denniston in Greyfriar's Kirkyard, and a note of him: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottis...

The monument of Sir Robert Denniston of Mountjoy, Greyfriars' Churchyard, Edinburgh, photographed by Joe Rock of RCAHMS (NGS)

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

James Maxwell and his wife Elizabeth, who had been Anna of Denmark's laundress, built this conspicuous aisle at Dirleton, East Lothian. James Maxwell, the Earl of Rutland, and Inigo Jones attended a christening in Copenhagen in July 1604. I feel this is sort of thing I ought to have known already

Dirleton Kirk, East Lothian (photo: Robin C Mitchell), showing the aisle or transept with 17th-century gable

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

St Bride's Douglas, South Lanark, from Main Street

St Bride's Douglas, South Lanarkshire, seen from Main Street, a surprising viewpoint, if you're not familiar with the layout.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 22/06/2026

Anthony Wingfield's opinions for New Year's gifts: I would give a safeguard or cloak of some watchet or peach colour, and embroidered with pretty flowers and leaves with sundry colours, made with gold poignettes and silk, as fantastical things are more accepted .. Walter Fish to have the doing of it

Image of a letter of the usher Anthony Wingfield to his wife Elizabeth Wingfield, mother of the maids, 13 October 1575, Folger: https://digitalcollections.folger.edu/bib244373-309964-xd428_127

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Royal jobs 1634: Thomas Caldwell his majesties barber, arrearage of stipend allowed for lodging and charges abroad in Progresses and Rydeing Journays and owed to him for nyne whole yeares, £90. Accounts of David Cunningham of Auchenharvie

Entry in the 1634 accounts of David Cunningham of Auchenharvie, TNA E101/439/2, and his signature at the bottom of the page.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Royal jobs in 1634: Thomas Miller keeper of hi[r] majesties lutes and musicall bookes and John Taillor one his majesties musitions for their annuitie or stipend of 12d per diem., Account of the receiver David Cunningham of Auchenharvie

Somewhat faded entry in the 1634 of royal income made by David Cunningham of Auchenhavie for 1634, TNA E101/439/2, for payment to the musicians Thomas Miller and John Taillor

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Italian maiolica painters served with glaze colours from a suspended circular tray by their assistants, V&A, Li tre libri dell'arte del vasaio: collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O132180...

Italian master maiolica painters (seated in chairs) served with glaze colours from a suspended circular tray by their assistants. I have some doubts about this.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Among wood carvings that would look good gilded in the Oval Office

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

At Culzean, for red hot on the button tips on upcycling and the circular economy

Upcycled crocodile umbrella and walking stick stand

Evergreen advice "Waste not: Want not" on the kitchen fireplace at Culzean Castle. Had these enamel plaques been available in the gift shop, I would most certainly have bought one

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

The pleasant servant Murray sent with the royal button was presumably James Murray of Polmaise, master of the wardrobe: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M...

TNA SP 89/2 f.125, these particulars of Murre the Scottishe kings pleasant servante ... he did plucke of a golde button from his dublet ..

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

A letter from William Keith (of Delny), probably 1592, National Library of Scotland, Morton papers MS 75 f. 38 no. 41

National Library of Scotland, Morton papers MS 75 f. 38 no. 41. William Keith of Delny cut small slits up the left hand side of this letter, and was interested in novel methods of sealing letters.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Looking forward to the Ardrossan Highland Games tomorrow: www.ardrossanhighlandgames.org.uk/committee-s-...

Ardrossan Highland games 2024, photo by Charlie Gilmour

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

28 May 1573, during the surrender of Edinburgh Castle, the goldsmith James Mosman returned some jewels of Mary, Queen of Scots, to William Kirkcaldy, who 'put thame in ane oppin coffer standand in the chalmer quhair he then usit to ly'

National Records of Scotland E35/11, 11 July 1573.

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The Scottish mint in the Cowgate 'was situat and set doun in the eister land and tenementis sumtyme pertaining to Ar[chibal]d Stewart & his spous, callit of auld the Cardinallis ludgeing and pertening to Thomas Acheson, as the maist meit & commodious hous for that purpose in Edinburgh'

Cowgate and Cardinal Beaton's house, from Herbert Maxwell, 'Edinburgh: A Historical Study'.

National Records of Scotland CS7/190 f.161r.

James Gray made the 'Galloway mazer' (NMS) for Archibald Stewart and his spouse Ellen Achesou

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Nursery staff serving porridge at Cameron Park School, Edinburgh, 1930s, and a visit by General Allenby

HES Trove image: https://www.trove.scot/image/2956109

HES Trove images: https://www.trove.scot/image/2956108

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Would anyone know about old chemical methods of erasing text on paper? This 16th-century ms has a rectangular patch that looks shiny under strong light, where a date was formerly written. Never noticed such a patch before

Page has a shiny rectangular area where a few lines of handwritten text have been erased. In the erased area 'mensis vero J-' remaining from a Latin date can be seen

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Looking at the records, people went out of their way to pick their mates as witnesses; one egregious example, Adrian Vanson, the painter, baptised his son Adrian in 1595, with witnesses Adrian the Dutch agent, and Adrian the Flemish clockmaker

Everyone called Adrian went to the christening in 1595

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Probably just an inner circle. There was committee of advisors on finance, and one item in the British Library is signed, giving some names, including James Melville of Halhill, Robert Melville, Durham of Duntarvie, and the comptroller David Seton of Parbroath, BL Add. MS 33531 f.270

British Library Add. MS 33531 f.270, signatures to a document suggesting ways of raising revenue from royal parks; includes "halhill, carmichael, Neubottle, Young, MYoung, Parbroath comptroller, durhame of duntarvie"

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Sometimes I worry that my dogs might be snobs

Two dogs in a May garden in formal poses

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

Here's a postcard of an earlier state, with ivy

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Does anyone know the artist of this Victorian painting of two artists and a woman painting? It's a subject that defies my best efforts with google

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

The tree book is interesting too, this from a later edition

Text, 'To cherrishe Apple trees', A booke of the arte and maner how to plant and graffe all sortes of trees (London: John Wight, 1575), p. 75.
https://archive.org/details/bookeofartemaner00masc/page/n5/mode/2up

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

Treated myself to the 'Fugger News-Letters' (1924), an unusual kind of calendar with a forward by H. Gordon Selfridge, author of 'The Romance of Commerce'. Clearly a country house regular, this copy belonged to John Betjeman's college friend's mother at Sezincote

handwritten text "Ethel Dugdale, Sezincote"

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Michael Pearce @michaelpearce.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

How to make water for the eyes: honey suckle, woodbine leaves, fennel, daisies etc., this recipe markedly betrays its early promise

how to make water for the eyes
Take eye bright white hunnisukles woodbine leaves fenell desies plantane white roses honslick each of thes a handfull and a brance or tuo or wormwood chop all thes small and sprinkell them with the urine of a man chyld then distill it and use it as you list (Moray Papers 5:16)

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