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Dr Richard Asquith

@richardasquith.bsky.social
1.2K followers 747 following 310 posts

Historian, archivist and researcher, College of Arms and the Vintners’ Company. Secretary of the Yorkist History Trust and Harlaxton Medieval Symposium. Urban history, death, piety, trust, and executors in pre-Reformation England; also early modern art.

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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 18h
Hello! Sorry for the delay - I’m afraid that I didn’t do a survey of wills when I was researching the rebuilding of the church in the 1520s, but still might be able to help. What date is this bequest, and where have you found it?
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Prof Tracey Hill @tracelarkhall.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Chained Bible and prayer book in the Vintners' Hall and Chapel, 1621-22! @richardasquith.bsky.social
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 18h
Wonderful! And nice to see that they’re meeting at the Swan in Dowgate - very appropriate!
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Prof Tracey Hill @tracelarkhall.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
It's rare to be able to put an identifiable image of a place in early modern London next to a textual reference to that place: the Nag's Head on Cheapside, 1613 and 1638
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BSECS @bsecs.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Submissions are welcome for the London Topographical Society's Anne Saunders Prize: £1,000 for an original & unpublished research essay on the topography, development, or buildings of #London in any period. Details here: londontopsoc.org/about-us/ann... #skystorians 🗃️
londontopsoc.org
Ann Saunders essay prize - London Topographical Society
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Prof. Sue Powell, chair of the Harlaxton Medieval Symposium, has written a tribute to the memory of Prof. Julia Boffey, a much missed friend of the Symposium and long-standing member of the steering committee (among many other things). It can be read here: harlaxtonmedievalsymposium.org
A photograph of Prof. Julia Boffey at the Harlaxton Medieval Symposium.
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Katy Bennett @katybennett.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Extremely lucky that so many medieval conferences take place in castles and v grateful to the Yorkist History Trust for the grant 🏰
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
The Trust recently awarded funding to @katybennett.bsky.social to attend the "English Frances" conference at the Centre Culturel International de Cerisy-la-Salle, Normandy. Dr Bennett has written about her experience for our blog: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2026/09/22/e... #MedievalSky #Skystorians
yorkisthistorytrust.org
“English Frances”: Conference Report
The Trust On…”English Frances”: Conference Report by Dr Katy Bennett The Yorkist History Trust recently provided a grant in order to allow Dr Katy Bennett to attend the conference…
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Historic Towns Trust @historictownstrust.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Imagine walking through the streets of London with Samuel Pepys as your guide. We’re excited to announce Samuel Pepys’ London, a new historical map from the Historic Towns Trust that will bring Restoration London vividly to life.
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Wonderful!
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
There is still time to submit an abstract to @jllaynesmith.bsky.social for the YHT's panels at @imc-leeds.bsky.social next year! Bursaries of £300 are also available for those without institutional funding - see our website for more details: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2026/09/09/y... #MedievalSky
yorkisthistorytrust.org
YHT Call for Papers: 2027 Leeds International Medieval Congress
YHT Call for Papers: 2027 Leeds International Medieval Congress The Long Fifteenth CenturyLeeds IMC 5-8 July 2027 Proposals are sought for 20-minute papers on new research on the period 1399-1525. …
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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
For #LeedsIMC2027 @yorkisthistory.bsky.social are once again planning sessions on the long Fifteenth Century (1399-1525) - would you like to join us? Up to 5 bursaries of £300 each are available for scholars without institutional funding. Deadline for submissions 14 Sept: see image for more details.
Call for papers asking for proposals for 20 minute papers on new research on the period 1399-1525 for Leeds IMC 5-8 July 2027. Bursaries available as stated in main text. Please note the IMC's proposal criteria on their website. Please send a 150-200 word abstract and short biography to Dr Joanna Laynesmith at j.l.laynesmith@reading.ac.uk by 14 September 2026 stating whether uoi wish to apply for a bursary or just to propose a paper. More details about the Trust's work can be found at yorkisthistorytrust.org.
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I remember Justin Champion introducing us to this in an undergraduate lecture in his evocatively titled “Killing the King” course!
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Dr Sarah McKeagney @mckeagns.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
En route to Cambridge for this year's Harlaxton Symposium 🥳
MacBook computer showing a picture of a manuscript on screen Session 8 from the Harlaxton Symposium programme
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Pleasure, as always!
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Bett[er] p[ar]te - presumably the bigger share of whatever is being divided between them?
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
You're welcome!
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
This one is p(ro)sp(er)ite (prosperity)
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Daniel F Gosling @thegozfather.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
While we're on the topic of female litigants, a search of REQ 2 for "administratrix" and/or "executrix" identifies over 450 suits often relating to women settling estates etc discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_o...
discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
discharge of my sowle". There was a sense that testators couldn't move on from Purgatory until their executors had fully enacted their will, hence the salvific language. Would that make sense for the Chancery suit?
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
I'm pretty confident that you're correct with "soule" too - meant in the context of satisfying obligations, I would imagine either in terms of enacting the father's bequests or concluding something (a debt?) from before his death. E.g. a testator might bequeath "forgotten" tithes "in the...
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Definitely “discharge” - common(ish) phrase in wills
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
Join the YHT on 17 October 2026 for a one-day symposium showcasing some of the exciting new research we're sponsoring! Held in-person at the @warburginstitute.bsky.social, tickets are only £10. See here for more information: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2026/07/23/s... #MedievalSky #medieval #Skystorians
yorkisthistorytrust.org
Stories from beyond the Page
The Trust On…Stories from beyond the Page: New Research from Fifteenth-Century  Archives in England and Europe  Pierre Coustain (attr.), posthumous panel painting of the coat of arms of King …
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Dr Sarah McKeagney @mckeagns.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
I come with a begging cup- has anyone seen this abbreviation before?
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The most ingenious birthday card a medievalist could receive - a jolly #MementoMori skeleton based on the C16th hearse cloth at Vintners’ Hall #MedievalSky #Skystorians
A black and white birthday card, the design of which shows a cadaverous skeleton wearing a party hat, dragging a present, and holding a spade cutting into a birthday cake. A scroll above reads: ‘have mirth and be merry from birth ‘til you’re buried’.A detail from the Vintners’ hearse cloth, showing an embroidered image of a cadaverous skeleton (no hat), dragging a coffin, and holding a spade to dig its own grave. A scroll above has a memento mori inscription.A photograph showing the Vintners’ hearse cloth in its entirety, mounted and framed.
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
The most ingenious birthday card a medievalist could receive - a jolly #MementoMori skeleton based on the C16th hearse cloth at Vintners’ Hall #MedievalSky #Skystorians
A black and white birthday card, the design of which shows a cadaverous skeleton wearing a party hat, dragging a present, and holding a spade cutting into a birthday cake. A scroll above reads: ‘have mirth and be merry from birth ‘til you’re buried’.A detail from the Vintners’ hearse cloth, showing an embroidered image of a cadaverous skeleton (no hat), dragging a coffin, and holding a spade to dig its own grave. A scroll above has a memento mori inscription.A photograph showing the Vintners’ hearse cloth in its entirety, mounted and framed.
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
And the remainder of today’s fascinating panels - thank you to all of our speakers and chairs for a stimulating day of #medieval debate and discussion!
A photograph of three speakers standing next to a banner advertising the Yorkist History Trust.Another photograph of three speakers standing next to a banner advertising the Yorkist History Trust.And one more photograph of three speakers standing next to a banner advertising the Yorkist History Trust.
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
A fascinating first panel on political culture during the Wars of the Roses - thanks to all our speakers for offering such varied perspectives on this theme @imc-leeds.bsky.social #MedievalSky #Skystorians
Photograph of three speakers standing next to a banner advertising the Yorkist History Trust.
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
We're underway with four sessions at @imc-leeds.bsky.social today! Please join us in the Clarendon Building for a diverse day examining a range of themes relating to late #medieval England #Skystorians #MedievalSky
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
We’re at @imc-leeds.bsky.social! Come and visit us in the Parkinson Court to find out more about the work we do and the books we publish (with some very generous conference discounts available!) 📚 #MedievalSky #Skystorians #Medieval #Booksky
A photograph of two people standing in front of a Yorkist History Trust banner and each holding a Yorkist History Trust book.
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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
And now we are all set for the @yorkisthistory.bsky.social book stall at #IMC2026 next week.
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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Also at #IMC2026 next week - a whole day of fascinating 15th-century papers to look forward to with @yorkisthistory.bsky.social.
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J L Laynesmith @jllaynesmith.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Looking forward to #IMC2026 next week ...
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
📣📣 New book announcement! 📚📚 In 2027, the YHT will publish "Dynasty, Politics and Ceremonial in Late Medieval England and Europe: Essays in Honour of Livia Visser-Fuchs", eds Rowena E. Archer and Margaret M. Condon. More info here: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2026/07/01/d... #MedievalSky #Skystorians
yorkisthistorytrust.org
Dynasty, Politics and Ceremonial in Late Medieval England and Europe: Essays in Honour of Livia Visser-Fuchs
The Trust On…Dynasty, Politics and Ceremonial in Late Medieval England and Europe: Essays in Honour of Livia Visser-Fuchs Dr Livia Visser-Fuchs with the volume’s table of contents The Y…
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
The Yorkist History Trust is returning to @imc-leeds.bsky.social! We're running four sessions featuring new research on the 15th century, as well as having a bookstall in the Parkinson Court. See here for more info: yorkisthistorytrust.org/2026/05/28/l... #Medieval #MedievalSky #Skystorians
yorkisthistorytrust.org
Leeds IMC 2026
The Trust On…Leeds IMC 2026 The Yorkist History Trust is delighted to be returning to the Leeds International Medieval Congress, Monday 6th – Thursday 9th July 2026. We will be hosting …
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Yorkist History Trust @yorkisthistory.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
The Trust was very pleased to be able to contribute towards the publication costs of this magnificent new volume from Prof. Richard Marks, which makes a vital contribution to our understanding of #medieval #art and #architecture. More info here: www.liverpooluniversitypress.co.uk/doi/book/10....
Photograph of the cover of a book by Richard Marks (with Christian Steer) entitled Wills and Windows: Testamentary Evidence for Glazing and Fenestration in Medieval England.Photograph of the interior of the book, showing the logos of contributing organisations, including the Yorkist History Trust.
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Esther Liberman Cuenca @estherlcuenca.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
I co-edit a book series for Boydell & Brewer on "The Urban World in the Middle Ages." Open to *BOOK* proposals c. 800–1600, covering urban life, societies, or cultures in Europe, Mediterranean, or Islamic world. For more info, email me, CuencaE@tamuv.edu. Happy to hear from 1st-time book authors.
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 19/06/2026
Deep gratitude to the archivists at @thelondonarchives.bsky.social who tracked down documents for me based on an obsolete reference in a 100y/o book - it was particularly satisfying and evocative to see the “deed of the king’s grant by his green seal” described in a now-lost C15th church inventory 📜
A photograph of a medieval charter, with an elaborately decorated initial “H”. Attached is a largely complete great seal of green wax, showing the king sitting in majesty, affixed by a green and white twisted cord.
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
If you’re interested in medieval parish churches, their #art, #architecture, and #history, this year’s Harlaxton #Medieval Symposium may be for you! 📆 Residential booking deadline is 19th June. More info here: harlaxtonmedievalsymposium.org/harlaxton-me... #MedievalSky #Skystorians
A photograph of Childrey church, set in a graveyard and against a blue sky.
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Just a couple of days left to register for residential places for this year’s Harlaxton #Medieval Symposium! #Medievalsky #Skystorians
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
I hope they appreciate it!
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Lovely though it is, the Markby brass is much smaller and more modest - better comparators are for 15th-century London aldermen in Higham Ferrers, Barton-upon-Humber, and (slightly later) Standon. All top-tier stuff!
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Just imagine what we lost in the fire! I’m sure that these outstanding (aldermanic) non-London examples reflect what their peers were commissioning for City churches
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Christiane Kroebel @whitbyhistory.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Still time to book residential places (until 19 June)!
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Dr David Rundle @drdavidrundle.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Exciting news for anyone interested in the fifteenth century. The UK's annual conference will this year take place in the beautiful city of Canterbury on 3rd-5th September 2026, hosted by MEMS @kent.ac.uk - and registration is now open. Hope you can join us: blogs.kent.ac.uk/memsnews/202...
blogs.kent.ac.uk
Fifteenth Century Conference Open for Registration – MEMS News
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Medieval Art Research @medartres.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The Harlaxton Medieval Symposium 2026, focusing on ‘The Rural Parish in Late Medieval England,’ will be held from August 17-20 at Madingley Hall, Cambridge, with deadlines for bookings approaching in late June.
medievalartresearch.com
Harlaxton Medieval Symposium 2026: ‘The Rural Parish in Late Medieval England’, 17-20 August 2026
The Harlaxton Medieval Symposium 2026, focusing on ‘The Rural Parish in Late Medieval England,’ will be held from August 17-20 at Madingley Hall, Cambridge, with deadlines for bookings approaching in late June.
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Dr Richard Asquith @richardasquith.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
A good clarification, thank you!
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Dr Rachael Harkes @latemedievalist.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Really looking forward to speaking about parishes in the #WelshMarches at this year’s Harlaxton! Come join us - residential registration closes on 19 June. #MedievalSky 📚
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