Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Melita Thomas @melitat.bsky.social · 21h

Damsons appear in Shakespeare's Henry VI, Part II (Act II, Scene 1), where the character Simpcox claims his wife made him climb a tree and risk injury to get damsons, highlighting the fruit's deliciousness and value.

1 3

Melita Thomas @melitat.bsky.social · 2d

#1000TudorPeople C is for Arnold Cosby. In 1591, Cosby challenged Lord Bourke to a duel. At first, Bourke was reluctant, but Cosby insisted. Bourke was wounded, but before dying, claimed Cosby had attacked him before he, Bourke, was ready. Cosby was hanged for murder. amzn.to/3X5KVBp

1

Reposted by Melita Thomas

History Today @historytoday.com · 2d

#SaintAugustine was educated for a #Roman world, but it was his time in North Africa that shaped his identity, his faith, and Christianity itself.

🔒 This article from the October issue is waiting for you in the archive

www.historytoday.com/archive/feat...

Saint Augustine: An African in the City of God

www.historytoday.com

2 1 2

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Charles West @pseudo-isidore.bsky.social · 2d

Should anyone find themselves in central London on Weds 19 November, consider yourself invited to a book launch! @earliermiddleages.bsky.social www.history.ac.uk/news-events/...

Book Launch: Local Priests in the Latin West, 900-1050

Earlier Middle Ages Seminar- Session 3

www.history.ac.uk

14 27

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Earthling Cards @earthlingcards.bsky.social · 3d

Yesterday I explored the #lichen on a tree trunk. Plenty of animal finds, so I will post some in the comments on this post. First some examples of lichen species on the tree.

3 4 32

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Dr Alan Montgomery @classicalalan.bsky.social · 2d

This is my ink drawing of Wayland's Smithy, a Neolithic long barrow close to the Ridgeway in Oxfordshire. It is said that if you leave your horse there with a coin then Wayland will magically reshoe it.
The original artwork is now available on my Etsy shop here: shorturl.at/HDzSI
#TombTuesday

A black and white ink drawing of the neolithic tomb known as Wayland's Smithy

1 29 130

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Byzantine Mosaics @byzantinemosaics.bsky.social · 2d

Mosaic Icon up to the Hagia Sophia Entrance https://www.wikiart.org/en/byzantine-mosaics/mosaic-icon-up-to-the-hagia-sophia-entrance-1000

1 2

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Richard Ovenden @richove.bsky.social · 2d

MLGB is back!! Delighted that Medieval Libraries of Great Britain @bodleian.ox.ac.uk is now back online. We are also working had on plans for the next phase of the resource, enhancing & adding data & functionality. HUGE thanks to my colleagues for their hard & clever work mlgb.bodleian.ox.ac.uk

2 110 240

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Nina Willburger @drnwillburger.bsky.social · 2d

A stunning head of Medusa, the mythical creature whose sight turns everyone to stone. Medusa’s head was a popular motif used to ward off any evil.
The #Roman bronze fitting was found in Xanten, dating 1st century AD

On display at Römermuseum Xanten.

📷 me

🏺#archaeology

A detailed bronze sculpture of a face with wide eyes and flowing, wavy hair radiating outward resembling snakes, displayed in a glass case under museum lighting.

7 61 300

Melita Thomas @melitat.bsky.social · 2d

#OTD 1515 b. Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox, bit.ly/1jfsR1xwho joined the court of her uncle, Henry VIII. Her son, Henry, Lord Darnley, the husband of Mary, Queen of Scots, was murdered in the most notorious assassination of the century. Margaret herself was in the Tower 3 times!

1 4

Melita Thomas @melitat.bsky.social · 3d

In Shakespeare's time crab apples were associated with love, with folklore suggesting lovers could test the authenticity of their love by throwing pips into a fire.

Melita Thomas @melitat.bsky.social · 3d

#1000TudorPeople B is for Richard Bruarne, was appointed Regius Professor of Hebrew at Oxford in 1548. In 1561, he was elected (without royal consent) as Provost of Eton. Archbishop Parker heard evidence that Bruarne was an adulterer, a papist, conferred with demons, and ‘Judaized’. amzn.to/3X5KVBp

1 2 2

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Forest Archaic Collective @forestcollectiv.bsky.social · 3d

#MosaicMonday & the mosaics at Rockbourne Roman Villa

See more of Ancient Hampshire & Wiltshire in our Hillforts Episodes >>> www.youtube.com/watch?v=qldg...

13 76

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Sara Georgini @sarageorgini.bsky.social · 4d

🎨 beauty for your TL! Rachel Ruysch, Still Life of Exotic Flowers on a Marble Ledge, ca. 1735. Excellent exhibit up at MFA all about this woman artist & naturalist, go! #Bloomscrolling www.mfa.org/exhibition/r...

Riotous color of natural and imported flowers tumble out of a vase in this early 18thc watercolor. Honeysuckle, devils trumpet, oleander, passionflower and much more jostle for attention.

1 4 27

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Dan Gornall @dan-gornall.bsky.social · 4d

Fantastic day on the Wirral watching wind blown Leach's Petrels leaving the river Mersey. The last couple of birds passed within metres over the beach on the ebbing tide!

2 6 54

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Matt D @mattdenial.bsky.social · 4d

Stonechat, Snettisham today. #birds #ukbirding #stonechat #norfolkbirding

1 3 29

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Tudor Times @thetudortimes.bsky.social · 3d

18 October. The final talk in the second of Royal Marriages Summit series bit.ly/4lifqMO will be delivered by Dr Michael Pearce who will be discussing the marriage of James V of Scotland to Marie of Guise – an important part of the Auld Alliance between Scotland and France.

2 3

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Carol Hedges @riotgrandma.bsky.social · 4d

😺😺😺😺😺😺
From Threads ….

15 24 130

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Zooey @zooey1.bsky.social · 4d

Kingfisher with an itch #photography #birds

Kingfisher with its back to the camera. The bird is perched on a small stick and has its head turned to the left, while scratching the top of its head with one foot

6 56

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Roses UK @rosesuk.bsky.social · 4d

Coral Gardens (Rose of the Year 2026). Her motto is ‘keep calm and flower on!’
#Storm Amy continues to make her presence felt. Let the leaf-sweeping begin!
Hope everyone is safe, take care. #roses 🌱

2 20 260

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Tony Riches @tonyriches.bsky.social · 3d

•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ ( ¸.•´✶ Penelope - Tudor Baroness
(The Elizabethan Series Book 4)

maryanneyarde.blogspot.com/2025/10/pene...

#HistoricalFiction #Elizabethan #Tudors

4 6

Reposted by Melita Thomas

University of Exeter Special Collections @exeterunispeccoll.bsky.social · 3d

Good morning to everyone, but especially to all the badgers, for today is their special day!

To celebrate National Badger Day, here is an illustration of a badger from the book 'Animated Nature' (1828) by Georges-Louis Leclerc.

📷 Reserve 590 BUF

#NationalBadgerDay #BadgerDay #RareBooks

Cropped image from a book, showing a colour illustration of a badger standing on a patch of grass, painted in shades of black, white and green.

1 10 45

Melita Thomas @melitat.bsky.social · 5d

#1000TudorPeople S is for Dorothy Stafford granddaughter of the Duke of Buckingham and Margaret, Countess of Salisbury, both executed. She m. William Stafford, widower of Mary Boleyn and a keen follower of the Reformed faith. Dorothy served Elizabeth I as mistress of the Robes. amzn.to/3X5KVBp

2 4

Reposted by Melita Thomas

Ginger Cat Dusty @gingercatdusty.bsky.social · 6d

Lots of ugly going on around us. We post here so folks can take a minute to look at cute catto pics. Give the brain a rest. Sleep well sweeties. Much love to you all. Family sends hugs 💤💙💤

Long haired ginger cat Dusty curled up in white bed. Looking at camera.

170 410 5.4K

Reposted by Melita Thomas

John McCafferty @jdmccafferty.bsky.social · 5d

4 Oct 1564: b. John Gerard future #Jesuit #otd at Etwall, Derbyshire, future escapee from the Tower of #London, strong defender of the #nuntastic Mary Ward (JmcC/BM) His account of himself & his mission is gripping stuff.

2 11