Jon Dell Isola
@medievaljon.bsky.social
PhD Medieval History. I work on early medieval politics and society. I think about the meaning and purpose of history a lot. I have a blog called Among the Ruins: among-the-ruins.ghost.io
Someone mentioned to me that Louis the Child used the same royal seal as Louis the German, so I tracked it down: turns out that it not only is the same seal, but was seemingly using an antique gem of Emperor Hadrian. We know it's the same because it was repaired, with a visible crack. #medievalsky
February 2, 2026 at 5:12 PM
Someone mentioned to me that Louis the Child used the same royal seal as Louis the German, so I tracked it down: turns out that it not only is the same seal, but was seemingly using an antique gem of Emperor Hadrian. We know it's the same because it was repaired, with a visible crack. #medievalsky
Check out this job posted *three* days ago, with review of applications starting Feb. 9th. If you caught this on day 1, you would have about two weeks to do this AND get three people to write you a letter. I can't help but feel it is designed to weed people out preemptively. Also, no salary listed
January 30, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Check out this job posted *three* days ago, with review of applications starting Feb. 9th. If you caught this on day 1, you would have about two weeks to do this AND get three people to write you a letter. I can't help but feel it is designed to weed people out preemptively. Also, no salary listed
This feels weirdly exclusionary, we shouldn't exclude people because they don't have huge networks or people placing them into favored positions. Also this is a big insult to anyone here (cough cough) who sees a job and didn't know about it for whatever reason.
January 30, 2026 at 3:42 PM
This feels weirdly exclusionary, we shouldn't exclude people because they don't have huge networks or people placing them into favored positions. Also this is a big insult to anyone here (cough cough) who sees a job and didn't know about it for whatever reason.
Also spotted, I hear it has a happy ending @lollardfish.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Also spotted, I hear it has a happy ending @lollardfish.bsky.social
Spotted in the wild @adapalmer.bsky.social. Staff pick too!
January 29, 2026 at 6:33 PM
Spotted in the wild @adapalmer.bsky.social. Staff pick too!
Got added to a group text where my friends just share pictures of hot dogs they are eating, unfathomable dudes rock energy
January 13, 2026 at 7:20 PM
Got added to a group text where my friends just share pictures of hot dogs they are eating, unfathomable dudes rock energy
Now reading my (physical!) copy of @bostonreview.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Now reading my (physical!) copy of @bostonreview.bsky.social
Not going to repost because im not trying to call this specific person out, but I really dont think this is true and does a very grave disservice to older generations. When you actually sit down and read them they are often substantially more nuanced and "progressive" than their detractors claim
January 7, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Not going to repost because im not trying to call this specific person out, but I really dont think this is true and does a very grave disservice to older generations. When you actually sit down and read them they are often substantially more nuanced and "progressive" than their detractors claim
New Year. Clean desk.
December 31, 2025 at 7:41 PM
New Year. Clean desk.
Seeing posts about the academic job market got me like:
December 30, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Seeing posts about the academic job market got me like:
"You rest your bones, my brave little knight. I'll finish your quest for you."
December 26, 2025 at 4:10 AM
"You rest your bones, my brave little knight. I'll finish your quest for you."
Its Christmas which means its time for a rewatch:
December 26, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Its Christmas which means its time for a rewatch:
Opened the latest issue of Speculum and wasn't expecting this downright Borgian alt-history about the end of the Medieval Academy in 2083: #medievalsky
December 24, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Opened the latest issue of Speculum and wasn't expecting this downright Borgian alt-history about the end of the Medieval Academy in 2083: #medievalsky
Person in my movie screening recording a voice note at full volume
December 11, 2025 at 4:31 AM
Person in my movie screening recording a voice note at full volume
Morale is high in the texts:
December 6, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Morale is high in the texts:
On a whim decided to search RI Opac for Arnulf and look what is there...: #medievalsky
December 2, 2025 at 4:48 PM
On a whim decided to search RI Opac for Arnulf and look what is there...: #medievalsky
Often the craft takes the form of something edible, this year is a cupcake "turkey". So much fun
November 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Often the craft takes the form of something edible, this year is a cupcake "turkey". So much fun
Why yes I am being productive today, why do you ask?
November 19, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Why yes I am being productive today, why do you ask?
Facebook reminded me that seven (!) years ago I gave my first conference presentation as a PhD student. That paper not only served as the germ of a chapter, but the ideas form the basis of an article I am revising. Time flies but the interests often stay the same #medievalsky
November 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Facebook reminded me that seven (!) years ago I gave my first conference presentation as a PhD student. That paper not only served as the germ of a chapter, but the ideas form the basis of an article I am revising. Time flies but the interests often stay the same #medievalsky
Continuing to branch out from my normal reading, next up in Subway Reading (trademark pending)
November 14, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Continuing to branch out from my normal reading, next up in Subway Reading (trademark pending)
Sad to hear about Tatsuya Nakadai, phenomenal actor but especially in my (probably) favorite movie: Harakiri (1962)
November 11, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Sad to hear about Tatsuya Nakadai, phenomenal actor but especially in my (probably) favorite movie: Harakiri (1962)
One thing I really missed in Germany was my mechanical keyboard, its a Keychron V6. I really recommend getting a mechanical keyboard if you type a lot like I do. Plus it looks cool and sounds neat
November 3, 2025 at 6:29 PM
One thing I really missed in Germany was my mechanical keyboard, its a Keychron V6. I really recommend getting a mechanical keyboard if you type a lot like I do. Plus it looks cool and sounds neat