Helen McKee
@helenthev.bsky.social
Likes dead languages and medieval manuscripts. Visiting Lecturer at Royal Holloway and King’s College London. She/her.
Reposted by Helen McKee
What is a Book of Hours? How to read a calendar? What is an Atlantic Bible? And a Paris Bible?...
If you've ever wondered any of the above (who hasn't?) join my latest online course for @imems.bsky.social: 'Books of Devotion: Medieval Bibles & Books of Hours'
imemsdurhamlearn.com/books-of-dev...
If you've ever wondered any of the above (who hasn't?) join my latest online course for @imems.bsky.social: 'Books of Devotion: Medieval Bibles & Books of Hours'
imemsdurhamlearn.com/books-of-dev...
Books of Devotion: Medieval Bibles and Books of Hours
Immerse yourself in the gilded world of biblical manuscripts and Books of Hours. Florence, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, MS Amiatino 1, 5r. A fully online course This one-week online course, supp…
imemsdurhamlearn.com
November 28, 2025 at 10:22 AM
What is a Book of Hours? How to read a calendar? What is an Atlantic Bible? And a Paris Bible?...
If you've ever wondered any of the above (who hasn't?) join my latest online course for @imems.bsky.social: 'Books of Devotion: Medieval Bibles & Books of Hours'
imemsdurhamlearn.com/books-of-dev...
If you've ever wondered any of the above (who hasn't?) join my latest online course for @imems.bsky.social: 'Books of Devotion: Medieval Bibles & Books of Hours'
imemsdurhamlearn.com/books-of-dev...
Reposted by Helen McKee
This is excellent news!!!
#Cornish has won Part III of the European Charter for Regional and Minority Languages after many years of campaigning by our community, including Kowethas an Yeth and the other language organisations, Cornwall Council, activists, and YOU: teachers, learners, speakers and supporters together. 💛
November 27, 2025 at 3:36 PM
This is excellent news!!!
Reposted by Helen McKee
Are you up for some more palaeographical excitement? Then ready yourself for next Tuesday's seminar in London's Senate House where we can offer you not one but two scintillating papers featuring new research from early career scholars.
Register here:
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Register here:
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Early Career Researcher Papers
ies.sas.ac.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Are you up for some more palaeographical excitement? Then ready yourself for next Tuesday's seminar in London's Senate House where we can offer you not one but two scintillating papers featuring new research from early career scholars.
Register here:
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Register here:
ies.sas.ac.uk/news-events/...
Reposted by Helen McKee
We pour billions into saving an economically tiny steel industry whilst actively destroying one of our largest export industries. (Yes, higher education to overseas students who already massively subsidise UK students, are counted as exports).
i: Reeves to unveil £600m raid on foreign student
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
university fees #TomorrowsPapersToday
November 24, 2025 at 7:37 AM
We pour billions into saving an economically tiny steel industry whilst actively destroying one of our largest export industries. (Yes, higher education to overseas students who already massively subsidise UK students, are counted as exports).
Reposted by Helen McKee
Are you interested in how people thought about the past in Middle Ages? Want to understand the books they wrote about it? We have an online short course for you! Book now for January 2026 👇 #MedievalSky palaeography.uk/study/short-...
Writing History c. 1000-1250: An Introduction to the Manuscript Sources – a short course taught by Charlie Rozier, Manuel Muñoz García and Laura Cleaver
The course will run online from 14:00-17:00: Monday 26 January – Thursday 29 January 2026. The past was a popular subject for writers in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth centuries, partic…
palaeography.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Are you interested in how people thought about the past in Middle Ages? Want to understand the books they wrote about it? We have an online short course for you! Book now for January 2026 👇 #MedievalSky palaeography.uk/study/short-...
Reposted by Helen McKee
How have books shaped the way we think? In January Anna Somfai will teach an online short course on books about science and philosophy in the Middle Ages. Book now 👇 #MedievalSky @ies-sas.bsky.social @warburginstitute.bsky.social @sas-news.bsky.social palaeography.uk/study/short-...
Medieval Philosophical and Scientific Manuscripts – an online short course taught by Anna Somfai
This course will run online from 14:00-17:00: Monday 26 January – Thursday 29 January 2026. The course explores medieval Western philosophical and scientific manuscripts produced over the spa…
palaeography.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:39 AM
How have books shaped the way we think? In January Anna Somfai will teach an online short course on books about science and philosophy in the Middle Ages. Book now 👇 #MedievalSky @ies-sas.bsky.social @warburginstitute.bsky.social @sas-news.bsky.social palaeography.uk/study/short-...
Reposted by Helen McKee
🔔
One more week to go
until the 1ˢᵗ Sunday of Advent,
the time for my annual
𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.
A calendar devoted to
reflection and navel-gazing,
and to the fantastic research
of my colleagues in Early Irish Maynooth @ceilteachomn.bsky.social.
🔔
📷: St Patrick's College Maynooth
One more week to go
until the 1ˢᵗ Sunday of Advent,
the time for my annual
𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.
A calendar devoted to
reflection and navel-gazing,
and to the fantastic research
of my colleagues in Early Irish Maynooth @ceilteachomn.bsky.social.
🔔
📷: St Patrick's College Maynooth
November 23, 2025 at 6:28 AM
🔔
One more week to go
until the 1ˢᵗ Sunday of Advent,
the time for my annual
𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.
A calendar devoted to
reflection and navel-gazing,
and to the fantastic research
of my colleagues in Early Irish Maynooth @ceilteachomn.bsky.social.
🔔
📷: St Patrick's College Maynooth
One more week to go
until the 1ˢᵗ Sunday of Advent,
the time for my annual
𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱.
A calendar devoted to
reflection and navel-gazing,
and to the fantastic research
of my colleagues in Early Irish Maynooth @ceilteachomn.bsky.social.
🔔
📷: St Patrick's College Maynooth
Reposted by Helen McKee
22nd November is the feast of St Cecilia. Here an angel is depicted crowning Cecilia and her husband Valerian.
BL Harley 2897; the 'Breviary of John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria'; c. 1410- 1419 CE; France, Central (Paris); f.440v
BL Harley 2897; the 'Breviary of John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria'; c. 1410- 1419 CE; France, Central (Paris); f.440v
November 22, 2025 at 11:23 AM
22nd November is the feast of St Cecilia. Here an angel is depicted crowning Cecilia and her husband Valerian.
BL Harley 2897; the 'Breviary of John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria'; c. 1410- 1419 CE; France, Central (Paris); f.440v
BL Harley 2897; the 'Breviary of John the Fearless and Margaret of Bavaria'; c. 1410- 1419 CE; France, Central (Paris); f.440v
Reposted by Helen McKee
November 21, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Reposted by Helen McKee
Pope Sergius I consecrated Willibrord archbishop of the Frisians at the old church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome, #OTD in 695. He gave the Northumbrian missionary the Roman name Clemens. Early medieval Rome 📸Roberto Meneghini & Riccardo Santangeli Valenzani #medievalsky
November 21, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Pope Sergius I consecrated Willibrord archbishop of the Frisians at the old church of Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome, #OTD in 695. He gave the Northumbrian missionary the Roman name Clemens. Early medieval Rome 📸Roberto Meneghini & Riccardo Santangeli Valenzani #medievalsky
Reposted by Helen McKee
Gwefl son of Gwastad: when he was sad he would let his one lip droop down to his navel and the other would be a cowl on his head.
Gỽeuyl mab gỽestat. y dyd y bei drist y gollyngei y lleill weuyl idaỽ y waeret hyt y uogel. ar llall a uydei yn pennguch ar y penn.
Gỽeuyl mab gỽestat. y dyd y bei drist y gollyngei y lleill weuyl idaỽ y waeret hyt y uogel. ar llall a uydei yn pennguch ar y penn.
November 21, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Gwefl son of Gwastad: when he was sad he would let his one lip droop down to his navel and the other would be a cowl on his head.
Gỽeuyl mab gỽestat. y dyd y bei drist y gollyngei y lleill weuyl idaỽ y waeret hyt y uogel. ar llall a uydei yn pennguch ar y penn.
Gỽeuyl mab gỽestat. y dyd y bei drist y gollyngei y lleill weuyl idaỽ y waeret hyt y uogel. ar llall a uydei yn pennguch ar y penn.
Reposted by Helen McKee
Dorothy Whitelock Lecture 2025: Guthlac: what the early medieval records tell us
3 December 17:15
St Peter’s College chapel, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford
@ox.ac.uk
Join the event in person or online.
www.english.ox.ac.uk/event/doroth...
3 December 17:15
St Peter’s College chapel, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford
@ox.ac.uk
Join the event in person or online.
www.english.ox.ac.uk/event/doroth...
Dorothy Whitelock Lecture 2025: Guthlac: what the early medieval records tell us
www.english.ox.ac.uk
November 16, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Dorothy Whitelock Lecture 2025: Guthlac: what the early medieval records tell us
3 December 17:15
St Peter’s College chapel, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford
@ox.ac.uk
Join the event in person or online.
www.english.ox.ac.uk/event/doroth...
3 December 17:15
St Peter’s College chapel, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford
@ox.ac.uk
Join the event in person or online.
www.english.ox.ac.uk/event/doroth...
This is fabulous! We’re big stink pipe enthusiasts in my house, thanks to my teenage son, who is mapping them in our (Surrey) town and beyond.
This week's newly unpaywalled post: What on earth is a “stink pipe”, when it's at home?
When a lamppost isn’t a lamppost
What on earth is a “stink pipe”, when it's at home?
jonn.substack.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
This is fabulous! We’re big stink pipe enthusiasts in my house, thanks to my teenage son, who is mapping them in our (Surrey) town and beyond.
Reposted by Helen McKee
We’re launching our new catalogue on Monday 8 December.
To keep our collections safe while we do this, access and ordering will be suspended for a week before launch and all requests for 8 December onwards must be made on the new system when it launches.
Find out more: bit.ly/CollectionSu...
To keep our collections safe while we do this, access and ordering will be suspended for a week before launch and all requests for 8 December onwards must be made on the new system when it launches.
Find out more: bit.ly/CollectionSu...
November 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
We’re launching our new catalogue on Monday 8 December.
To keep our collections safe while we do this, access and ordering will be suspended for a week before launch and all requests for 8 December onwards must be made on the new system when it launches.
Find out more: bit.ly/CollectionSu...
To keep our collections safe while we do this, access and ordering will be suspended for a week before launch and all requests for 8 December onwards must be made on the new system when it launches.
Find out more: bit.ly/CollectionSu...
Reposted by Helen McKee
New #OnHistory blog, IHR Fellow Chris Lewis writes about new publication, "Making Domesday: Intelligent Power in Conquered England" by Stephen Baxter, Julia Crick, and C. P. Lewis, and Domesday scholarship in the IHR.
blog.history.ac.uk/2025/10/dome...
blog.history.ac.uk/2025/10/dome...
Domesday at the IHR - On History
IHR Fellow, Chris Lewis, writes about new publication, 'Making Domesday'.
blog.history.ac.uk
November 11, 2025 at 12:55 PM
New #OnHistory blog, IHR Fellow Chris Lewis writes about new publication, "Making Domesday: Intelligent Power in Conquered England" by Stephen Baxter, Julia Crick, and C. P. Lewis, and Domesday scholarship in the IHR.
blog.history.ac.uk/2025/10/dome...
blog.history.ac.uk/2025/10/dome...
Reposted by Helen McKee
A manuscript from early ninth century Mainz (with lots of insular elements in the script) for St Martin's day:
Rome, BAV, Pal. lat. 845, fol. 1r
Rome, BAV, Pal. lat. 845, fol. 1r
November 11, 2025 at 2:42 PM
A manuscript from early ninth century Mainz (with lots of insular elements in the script) for St Martin's day:
Rome, BAV, Pal. lat. 845, fol. 1r
Rome, BAV, Pal. lat. 845, fol. 1r
Fantastic episode: really thoughtful and balanced.
In the late spring of 1903, my grandmother (aged 8), her 3 younger sisters and their mother all caught diphtheria. The two youngest sisters both died, within a day of each other, one (pictured below) aged 4 years and one 10 months.
In the late spring of 1903, my grandmother (aged 8), her 3 younger sisters and their mother all caught diphtheria. The two youngest sisters both died, within a day of each other, one (pictured below) aged 4 years and one 10 months.
November 6, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Fantastic episode: really thoughtful and balanced.
In the late spring of 1903, my grandmother (aged 8), her 3 younger sisters and their mother all caught diphtheria. The two youngest sisters both died, within a day of each other, one (pictured below) aged 4 years and one 10 months.
In the late spring of 1903, my grandmother (aged 8), her 3 younger sisters and their mother all caught diphtheria. The two youngest sisters both died, within a day of each other, one (pictured below) aged 4 years and one 10 months.
Reposted by Helen McKee
Really pleased to announce the launch of the all-new, all-dancing, London Lives website - www.londonlives.org It has been thoroughly re-engineered to facilitate more types of search, and redesigned for phones and tablets. The team very much hopes peope like it. 1/
London Lives
www.londonlives.org
November 5, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Really pleased to announce the launch of the all-new, all-dancing, London Lives website - www.londonlives.org It has been thoroughly re-engineered to facilitate more types of search, and redesigned for phones and tablets. The team very much hopes peope like it. 1/
Reposted by Helen McKee
Really exciting book news out of Norway. And while the article focusses on the sealskin binding, I'm even more excited by the fact that these neumes are not square, which suggests a date well before 1200.
November 4, 2025 at 7:48 AM
Really exciting book news out of Norway. And while the article focusses on the sealskin binding, I'm even more excited by the fact that these neumes are not square, which suggests a date well before 1200.
That arch would have been familiar to Richard Amadas, who was rector in the late 16th - early 17th century and owned the Cambridge Juvencus
Great Hallingbury, Essex. Splendid reuse of Roman brick.
November 2, 2025 at 6:27 AM
That arch would have been familiar to Richard Amadas, who was rector in the late 16th - early 17th century and owned the Cambridge Juvencus
Reposted by Helen McKee
OTD, 1925, the Sunday Post reports that one Lieutenant F. W. Kealey is mounting an expedition to Cocos Island to recover £14M in buried pirate treasure, using "a secret method known only to himself".
I can find no evidence that Lieutenant Kealey was successful.
I can find no evidence that Lieutenant Kealey was successful.
November 1, 2025 at 8:04 AM
OTD, 1925, the Sunday Post reports that one Lieutenant F. W. Kealey is mounting an expedition to Cocos Island to recover £14M in buried pirate treasure, using "a secret method known only to himself".
I can find no evidence that Lieutenant Kealey was successful.
I can find no evidence that Lieutenant Kealey was successful.
Reposted by Helen McKee
Happy Halloween from the Wren Library, our Halloween Bat is courageously looking into this spooky hood.
mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
f182v
mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
f182v
October 31, 2025 at 4:53 PM
Happy Halloween from the Wren Library, our Halloween Bat is courageously looking into this spooky hood.
mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
f182v
mss-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Manuscript/B...
f182v
Reposted by Helen McKee
The Societas Celtologica Europaea is now on Bluesky!
➡️ Our goal is to support the scholarly study of Celtic languages, literatures, and cultures in research and teaching and to promote cooperation among Celtic scholars.
👋 Follow us for updates on our student prizes, conferences & more!
➡️ Our goal is to support the scholarly study of Celtic languages, literatures, and cultures in research and teaching and to promote cooperation among Celtic scholars.
👋 Follow us for updates on our student prizes, conferences & more!
October 29, 2025 at 10:05 AM
The Societas Celtologica Europaea is now on Bluesky!
➡️ Our goal is to support the scholarly study of Celtic languages, literatures, and cultures in research and teaching and to promote cooperation among Celtic scholars.
👋 Follow us for updates on our student prizes, conferences & more!
➡️ Our goal is to support the scholarly study of Celtic languages, literatures, and cultures in research and teaching and to promote cooperation among Celtic scholars.
👋 Follow us for updates on our student prizes, conferences & more!
