iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Ada Palmer @adapalmer.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Identifying handwriting was one of the first digital humanities things scholars tried using computers for, and when I was a PhD student (over a decade before LLMs) there were projects teaching computers to read the specific scripts of one region/period, usually a couple decades. Why so narrow? 8/?

A famous surviving letter in Machiavelli's hand, written home to his political contacts in Florence advising them on things happening in Cesare Borgia's war camp. His ink is black, the page creamy, and his handwriting is fairly spaced out but very slanted and sometimes cramped, medium-hard to read for my period but not bad.

Lucretius in Machiavelli's hand. It looks very different since he's trying to write in a book hand, more vertical, much more cramped, and formal in a different way, but some of the curves on things like q and d are similar. One would have to be VERY familiar with his handwriting to realize these are two versions of the same man's hand.

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 4h

Half an hour in with my freshly prepared parchment sample and already there's water damage Ladies and gents, this is why there's strictly no drink in the library #myOwnExperiment with #Skin2Script

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 5h

Day 2 done, and parchment completed, cut and a memento received Tomorrow follows the script part at @theul.bsky.social #Skin2Script

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 11h

2nd day of #Skin2Script workshop with @crasshlive.bsky.social about to start Checking how drying has progressed - various results. Next pushing on with sanding, scraping & finishing touches

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

And that's day one wrapped. 5 pumiced skins left drying and waiting for tomorrow's work Such a fun day, loads of new insights and new questions with which to look at #medievalMss #Skin2Script

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Next 3 days will be on From Skin to Script workshop with @crasshlive.bsky.social Starting with dehairing soaked skins #Skin2Script #medievalMSS

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Lisa Fagin Davis @lisafdavis.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

This is a great opportunity to apply for funding to attend @rarebookschool.bsky.social! You might even apply for a scholarship to attend my Fragmentology class next summer...

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Curious what the exhibition is all about? Your chance to see some exceptional early medieval manuscripts - mainly from pre-1066 world & the #BayeuxTapestry, some even from the time before Charlemagne (d. 814) & King Alfred (d. c. 886) & the Viking invations! 📖 www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/articles/art...

corpus.cam.ac.uk

The Art of Handwriting

Our Art of Handwriting exhibition focuses on Humfrey Wanley (1672–1726) and his calligraphic work on some of the oldest manuscripts at the Parker Library

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Rory Naismith @rorynaismith.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Early medievalists may be happy to know that Simon Keynes’s collection of maps of Anglo-Saxon England has now been made freely available via @trincolllibcam.bsky.social These were commissioned by Simon and drawn (by hand) by Reg Piggott between 1991 and 2012. archives.trin.cam.ac.uk/index.php/ma...

archives.trin.cam.ac.uk

Maps of Anglo-Saxon England - archives.trin.cam.ac.uk

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I'll be there enthusing about medieval manuscripts, palaeography, book culture, parchment, Laon-az, Matthew Parker, Old English, Latin, cultures of learning and curiosity, use of history etc. etc. Welcome all #medievalMSS and #library admirers, you'll be in for a treat 😍📖

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Dr David Rundle @drdavidrundle.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Ahead of the launch today of the manuscript fragments of Guernsey, on which @tamarajatkin.bsky.social and I have been working with the Island Archives for the last couple of years, I have written up one of my favourite finds: lostmss.org.uk/highlights - Hidden Devotion on Guernsey

lostmss.org.uk

Highlights | Lost Manuscripts

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Catch a rare sighting of the earliest known copy of Richness of Desire (Ghunyat al-Munya), the earliest treatise on Hindustani music written in Persian (now CCCC Or. MS 219; c1425–50) A Mughal Songbook: Art, Music and Empire at The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/parker-libra...

corpus.cam.ac.uk

Parker on Loan

A Mughal Songbook: Art, Music and Empire at The Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge 8 September 2026–7 March 2027

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Elaine Treharne @etreharne.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

If you look closely at the image in CCCC 286, you'll see a later addition of a little handbell in the upper right. It's a sanctus bell, a symbol of the moment of transubstantiation at mass. Cool, eh! I wrote about this in an essay 'Word & Image' mentioned in my 'Perceptions of Medieval MSS' (158)

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Going to see the Bayeux Tapestry? Be sure to look out for the image that may well have been inspired by the 6thC Augustine Gospels (CCCC MS 286) parker.stanford.edu/parker/catal... The 11thC embroidery was probably made at Canterbury where the MS was then at St Augustine’s Abbey #bayeuxtapestry

A scene from the Bayeux Tapestry that resembles the scene of Last Supper in the St Augustine's Gospels (CCCC MS 286)

Feast scene from the Bayeux Tapestry: "Et hic episcopus cibum et potum benedicit" (And here the bishop blesses the food and the drink) written above a scene of 6 people eating and drinking around a curved table; one person carrying more food to the table, and two red animals (dogs?)
It is the scene depicting a feast with Bishop Odo of Bayeux and his nobles are arranged around a circular table, very similar to the Last Supper panel in the Augustine Gospels. Odo is also shown in a pose similar to the figure of Christ, blessing his wine just as Christ was shown blessing his food.

Feast scene from the St Augustine's Gospels (CCCC MS 286): "Cena domini" (Lord's Supper) written above a scene of 8 disciples and Christ eating and drinking around a curved table
A scene from scene of Lord's Supper resembles the one in the Bayeux Tapestry with Bishop Odo of Bayeux and nobles feasting around a curved table

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Elaine Treharne @etreharne.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

"It’s that honesty that makes this not just a fascinating medieval relic but a universal depiction of the madness that is war...The dead bodies pile up in mounds as Saxon after Saxon falls.." Jonathan Jones's heartfelt review of the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...

theguardian.com

The Bayeux tapestry: a stupefying, thrilling, horrifying masterpiece that shakes the earth

The greatest battle ever depicted in art is here at last – and it hurtles along, making your heart pound with its sense of doom and destiny, culminating in fires and corpses on a battlefield full of p...

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Humanities❤️Science = beautiful babies #medievalMSS

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Alicia Smith @timekeptcity.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Calling anyone & everyone interested in saints: Saints Outside Hagiography has *two* calls open for you to consider! First, for our next series of monthly online workshops: get in touch to propose a source from your research about saints and sanctity to discuss in an informal setting, by 25 Sept.

We invite expressions of interest to participate in the Saints Outside Hagiography workshop series 2026–2027. Our group examines how saints and holy people are represented outside the classic form of the single-text hagiography.
Sessions so far have examined texts including: visual art, poetry, mortuary rolls, chronicles, liturgical texts, didactic literature, and objects. We offer an informal, work-in-progress format focused on discussion of primary sources and key methodological questions in the study of saints.
Meetings consist of 1-2 brief presentations, discussing a text or object
precirculated along with a short description and the speaker’s guiding questions.
If you have a source related to sanctity that you would like to discuss, please get in touch with Laura Moncion (laura.moncion@philosophie.uni-tuebingen.de) and Alicia Smith (alicia.smith@uib.no) by 25 September 2026 with a brief description of the source, career stage, and institutional affiliation if any.
Guidelines:
• Chronological and geographical scope are open.
• Participants are free to contest whether a text is ‘outside hagiography’ – we aim to study saints and the construction of saint/sanctity beyond canonical textual forms, including troubling our understanding of those forms.
• If your source is not in English, we will need an English translation.

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CRASSH @crasshlive.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Join us for 'From Skin to Script', a hands-on workshop in traditional parchment-making – one of the UK's most critically endangered crafts Explore how living craft knowledge affects how we understand medieval manuscripts 29 Sep - 1 Oct 2026 bit.ly/4gcqbRn (limited places)

From Skin to Script is a practical workshop in traditional parchment making.

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Dr Manuel Muñoz García @manuelmunoz.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Deadline has been extended to September 10! Keep those abstracts coming! #medievalsky #IMC2027 #fragments @imc-leeds.bsky.social

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Jon Dell Isola @medievaljon.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

You can see an update about the Database of Medieval Digital Resources here, reach out if you are interested in helping out or want to submit a project! It's a great resource you should all check out: mdr-maa.org #medievalsky

mdr-maa.org

Medieval Digital Resources – Created by the Medieval Academy of America

Created by the Medieval Academy of America

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Enjoy #OpenCambridge with us! What? Exciting display of mss & early printed books, book conservation in action, & College Archives display just for one day! When? Thu 17 Sept, 10–12pom & 2–4pm (queue closes 30min before closing) No need to book, but some queues expected More info: bit.ly/4oHWtpR

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Zanna Van Loon @zannavanloon.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

Once carrying chant, now carrying contents: this liturgical #manuscript fragment is recycled as the cover of a small storage case. Just one of the many examples of the afterlives of medieval manuscripts! #rarebooks #bookhistory 💙📚📜

A small chest on a chair covered in a parchment fragment with liturgy, showing a large illuminated initial letter H on top.

Front view of a small chest on a chair covered in a parchment fragment with liturgy, showing a large illuminated initial letter H on top.

Opened chest showing more manuscript waste of a liturgical piece repurposed as the interior lining.

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AMARC @amarc.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Our 2026 Summer meeting has come to a close, with huge thanks to @archpbu.bsky.social for hosting such an excellent day ☀️📜 #Manuscripts #Archives #Bangor

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

We rely on the fantastic support from Cambridge Colleges' Conservation Consortium whenever one of our MSS leaves on loan Sometimes the loan item is exceptionally special 📖⛪🤩 Head of Conservation, Flavio Marzo, offers a peak to the back-stage: www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/articles/bri... #medievalMSS

corpus.cam.ac.uk

Bringing to Life the Gospels: Conservation’s Role in the Loan of the St Augustine Gospels

Conservation is a complex field that covers much more than simply repairing and physically preserving items for the future.

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Searching for: Lecturer in Medieval Literature Location: Newcastle, GB DL: 9 July 2026 Fixed Term, 10 months Sept 2026 - June 2027 Salary: £36,636 to £38,784 jobs.ncl.ac.uk/job/Newcastl...

jobs.ncl.ac.uk

Lecturer in Medieval Literature

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Blooming borders! 🏵️🌺🌼💮🌹 Ordinal and Martyrology of Exeter, CCCC MS 93 fully digitised and available with CC BY-NC 4.0 licensing: parker.stanford.edu/parker/catal...

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Dr Laura Varnam @drlauravarnam.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

The cfp for next year’s MAMO (the Middle Ages in the Modern World) conference is live! We’ve got amazing keynote panels, speakers, and special events- check it out!! themamo.org

Cfp for the Middle Ages in the Modern World conference

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

It is with sadness that we note the passing of Professor John Hatcher (1942-2026), Life Fellow of our College and such an important figure for the successful delivery of Parker Library On the Web Just recently we had a chance to hear him remember the early days: www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/articles/amb...

corpus.cam.ac.uk

Ambition and Achievement

Professor John Hatcher thinks back to the obstacles that the large-scale manuscript digitisation project at the Parker Library encountered in the early years

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Lisa Fagin Davis @lisafdavis.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

This is pretty cool.

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Dot Porter @leoba.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Hello folks who work with digitized manuscripts. What is your preferred metadata format? If you could get ONE, what would it be? TEI, Json, a spreadsheet, MARC, or something else? Please let me know and share this query! This is important!

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Job alert! British Library seeks a Curator for their Ancient and Medieval Manuscripts DL 12 July tinyurl.com/25fs9kun #medievalMSS

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

Friendship that spans over two millenia! Two @uoftcms.bsky.social colleagues catching up in the best library for medieval manuscript enthusiasts @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

It is such a joy to work in a small library with such an amazing & varied collection Working with the Parker ECRF Alex van Dijk has taught me so much about the books in our collection which are textually inaccessable to me - I don't read the scripts or know the languages

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Confession: entropy was not part of my vocabulary, had to look it up It is now part of my top 10 words - sounds nice and I can so relate to the concept

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Always fun to see The Library dressed up in full regalia. So many beautiful views of the Parker Library 😍

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Digital Medievalist @digitalmedievalist.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

🚨Last chance to join us for the DMSI 2026 at the @imc-leeds.bsky.social. Gain hands-on experience in #digital methods adapted to medieval texts and images. 📆Jul 10 2026 📍Leeds, UK ▶️ tinyurl.com/5cm6ymn7 And if you have already registered for the IMC, you can still add DMSI to your registration.

Flyer advertising the DMSI 2026 at Leeds IMC.

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Two returns, two leaves Two of our manuscripts are now on loan to @sainsburycentre.bsky.social in Norwich for the current exhibition 'Living by the Rule: Contemporary meets Medieval' www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/parker-libra... Definitely worth a visit! #MedievalMSS

corpus.cam.ac.uk

Parker on Loan

Living by the Rule in Norwich 16 May – 4 October 2026 Two of the Parker Library manuscripts have gone on their merry way to an exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich. The exhibition Living by t...

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Ha! Always a pleasure to see one of ours in action 📖🎵😍 CCCC MS 391, a.k.a. St Wulfstan's Portiforium (breviary from c. 1060s) is digitised & free to view (along with all our medieval and early-modern mss) on Parker Library On the Web: parker.stanford.edu/parker/catal... #MedievalMSS

parker.stanford.edu

Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 391: St Wulfstan's Portiforium

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

Looking for Medieval Latin philologists: Postdoc specializing in Digital Philology in München job-portal.lmu.de/jobposting/4...

job-portal.lmu.de

Postdoc specializing in Digital Philology (m/f/x)

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U of T Centre for Medieval Studies @uoftcms.bsky.social · 20/05/2026

Postdoc opportunity! The Dictionary of Old English invites applications for two grant-funded postdoctoral fellowships. 1. Postdoctoral Fellow, Editorial, DOE - deadline June 12. 2. Postdoctoral Fellow, DEfOE / Ansund project - deadline June 19. www.medieval.utoronto.ca/news/postdoc...

medieval illumination of a figure blowing a buisine

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Elaine Treharne @etreharne.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Hairy text! Surely a Jersey calf here? Durham Cathedral MS A.III.12.

Part of a manuscript page showing the hair on the membrane

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Shannon McSheffrey @medievalmcsheff.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

Postdoctoral Fellowships with the Dictionary of Old English Deadline June 12, 2026 www.medieval.utoronto.ca/news/postdoc...

Manuscript image of a young man blowing a long straight horn, announcement style

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HEL (History of the English Language) on the Web @helontheweb.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

The Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Toronto, invites applications for two grant-funded Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Dictionary of Old English. @uoftcms.bsky.social www.themedievalacademyblog.org/jobs-for-med...

themedievalacademyblog.org

Jobs For Medievalists

The Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Toronto, invites applications for two grant-funded Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Dictionary of Old English.

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Tuija Ainonen @tainonen.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Always exciting to see Parker Library's collections being put in good use! And both manuscripts & early-printed books mentioned It is such a treat to be able to help to provide access to @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social, both in physical & digital forms. 🥰👏🎉

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HMML @visithmml.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

HMML is hiring a "Cataloger, West African Manuscripts," a full-time, benefits-eligible, remote position. Details: bit.ly/4njwcgW The Cataloger will participate in HMML's effort to catalog Islamic manuscripts recently digitized in Mali. This is a one-year, grant-funded position. #LibraryJobs

Now hiring: Cataloger, West African Manuscripts

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Dr Alison Ray @liber-ray.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Come and join @amarc.bsky.social this Friday for a fantastic afternoon on business archives showcasing amazing collections and their users! 📜🎉

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AMARC @amarc.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

🚨Booking is now open for our AMARC Spring Event🚨 Exploring Business Archives: Collections and their Use 💻Virtual seminar hosted by the University of Glasgow 🕰️24th April 2026, 13.00-16.30 For booking and a schedule, see our website: amarcsite.wordpress.com/meetings/for...

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The Parker Library @parkerlibcccc.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Our collection of MSS and early-printed books have reached us in a variety of ways Matthew Parker (obvsly) bequethed us his large library but there's been many smaller donations too In honour of equippers of libraries 🏛️📖😍: www.corpus.cam.ac.uk/articles/don... #MedievalMSS #BookHistory #EarlyModern

corpus.cam.ac.uk

Donors of Learning, Benefactors of Knowledge

Read some highlights of early donors and benefactors of the Parker Library

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