Brain Simpson
@misterbiscuitsbap.bsky.social
Monster who loves biscuits more than anything! Not the account of the jazz pianist nor the Briitsh Labour Party politician
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Particularly happy with that book haul.
@drfrancisyoung.bsky.social
@drfrancisyoung.bsky.social
December 26, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Particularly happy with that book haul.
@drfrancisyoung.bsky.social
@drfrancisyoung.bsky.social
Reposted by Brain Simpson
A kiścień – a flail-type weapon used by both cavalry and infantry soldiers for crushing the skulls of enemies – associated with Poland’s legendary medieval Battle of Grunwald, has been discovered by a team of amateur history enthusiasts.
Battle of Grunwald ‘skull-crusher weapon’ found in Polish field
The amateur researchers say the find was made in an area linked to the legendary battle.
tvpworld.com
December 25, 2025 at 10:20 AM
A kiścień – a flail-type weapon used by both cavalry and infantry soldiers for crushing the skulls of enemies – associated with Poland’s legendary medieval Battle of Grunwald, has been discovered by a team of amateur history enthusiasts.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Looking right at you from 1446: a Carthusian monk with mesmerizing beard on his chin & fly on his frame. By Petrus Christus of Bruges, whose day is today.
December 23, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Looking right at you from 1446: a Carthusian monk with mesmerizing beard on his chin & fly on his frame. By Petrus Christus of Bruges, whose day is today.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Yorkshire Museum had some proper gems, including this silk bonnet probably worn by a Danish woman. Found underneath the old monastery
December 20, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Yorkshire Museum had some proper gems, including this silk bonnet probably worn by a Danish woman. Found underneath the old monastery
Reposted by Brain Simpson
The remarkably well-preserved York Helmet, dated AD 770-775, is one of only six surviving helmets from Anglo-Saxon Britain. A Latin inscription bears the name ‘Oshere’. Discovered by a digger operator in York in 1982. Iron and copper-alloy.
Yorkshire Museum 📷 by me
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Yorkshire Museum 📷 by me
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
December 19, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The remarkably well-preserved York Helmet, dated AD 770-775, is one of only six surviving helmets from Anglo-Saxon Britain. A Latin inscription bears the name ‘Oshere’. Discovered by a digger operator in York in 1982. Iron and copper-alloy.
Yorkshire Museum 📷 by me
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Yorkshire Museum 📷 by me
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Reposted by Brain Simpson
One of the first hominids, Hispanopithecus, lived 11 million years in what is now Catalonia. They are believed to have lived largely on tree canopies, only descending to take part in occasional sardanes. They did not have control of fire, and were therefore forced to eat their bruschettas soggy.
December 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
One of the first hominids, Hispanopithecus, lived 11 million years in what is now Catalonia. They are believed to have lived largely on tree canopies, only descending to take part in occasional sardanes. They did not have control of fire, and were therefore forced to eat their bruschettas soggy.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, looking just insanely dashing as painted by Paul van Somer. Today is his day.
December 18, 2025 at 2:48 PM
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham, looking just insanely dashing as painted by Paul van Somer. Today is his day.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Around 2100 years old, the Sakuragaoka Bronze Bells are attributed to the Yayoi period of ancient Japan 🇯🇵. The group of 14 bronze bells, some of which are decorated with paintings of small animals.
© Cosmos University
#archaeohistories
© Cosmos University
#archaeohistories
December 13, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Around 2100 years old, the Sakuragaoka Bronze Bells are attributed to the Yayoi period of ancient Japan 🇯🇵. The group of 14 bronze bells, some of which are decorated with paintings of small animals.
© Cosmos University
#archaeohistories
© Cosmos University
#archaeohistories
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Born this day in 1884, on Neskuchnoye estate in Ukraine, the marvelous painter Zinaida Serebriakova. After my time, but worth making an exception! Here by herself at the mirror in 1909.
December 12, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Born this day in 1884, on Neskuchnoye estate in Ukraine, the marvelous painter Zinaida Serebriakova. After my time, but worth making an exception! Here by herself at the mirror in 1909.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
#EpigraphyTuesday
This small vase, inscribed with the twenty-six letters of the #Etruscan alphabet, may have been a container for ink. The head acts as a stopper and could be attached to the bird’s body by a cord. The missing tail no doubt curved downward to form a third foot.
This small vase, inscribed with the twenty-six letters of the #Etruscan alphabet, may have been a container for ink. The head acts as a stopper and could be attached to the bird’s body by a cord. The missing tail no doubt curved downward to form a third foot.
December 9, 2025 at 5:52 PM
#EpigraphyTuesday
This small vase, inscribed with the twenty-six letters of the #Etruscan alphabet, may have been a container for ink. The head acts as a stopper and could be attached to the bird’s body by a cord. The missing tail no doubt curved downward to form a third foot.
This small vase, inscribed with the twenty-six letters of the #Etruscan alphabet, may have been a container for ink. The head acts as a stopper and could be attached to the bird’s body by a cord. The missing tail no doubt curved downward to form a third foot.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
#TombTuesday
#Visigoth sarcophagus discovered at Los VIllaricos #Roman complex in #Spain, 2021. The six-and-a-half-foot-long sarcophagus is intricately carved with a curving spiral motif. Ivy leaves decorate the lid. 📸 THE UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA 👀
#Archaeology #History
#Visigoth sarcophagus discovered at Los VIllaricos #Roman complex in #Spain, 2021. The six-and-a-half-foot-long sarcophagus is intricately carved with a curving spiral motif. Ivy leaves decorate the lid. 📸 THE UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA 👀
#Archaeology #History
December 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM
#TombTuesday
#Visigoth sarcophagus discovered at Los VIllaricos #Roman complex in #Spain, 2021. The six-and-a-half-foot-long sarcophagus is intricately carved with a curving spiral motif. Ivy leaves decorate the lid. 📸 THE UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA 👀
#Archaeology #History
#Visigoth sarcophagus discovered at Los VIllaricos #Roman complex in #Spain, 2021. The six-and-a-half-foot-long sarcophagus is intricately carved with a curving spiral motif. Ivy leaves decorate the lid. 📸 THE UNIVERSITY OF MURCIA 👀
#Archaeology #History
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Delightful Ricardian tomb to Maud, wife of Sir Thomas Harcourt, dated to ca. 1394 at Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire. I wonder what poetry she listened to and what music she enjoyed in those far off troubled days? #TombTuesday
December 9, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Delightful Ricardian tomb to Maud, wife of Sir Thomas Harcourt, dated to ca. 1394 at Stanton Harcourt, Oxfordshire. I wonder what poetry she listened to and what music she enjoyed in those far off troubled days? #TombTuesday
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Genuinely love whoever in aincient Mesopotamia decided that the correct shape for weights was ducks.
RETVRN
RETVRN
December 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Genuinely love whoever in aincient Mesopotamia decided that the correct shape for weights was ducks.
RETVRN
RETVRN
Reposted by Brain Simpson
16th century Venetian lawyer/bibliophile Odorico Pillone shelved his books spine-inward and commissioned Cesare Vecellio (Titian’s nephew) to paint their fore-edges with colourful images suggesting their subject matter. Here’s how they looked on the shelf news.yale.edu/2019/03/14/p...
December 8, 2025 at 6:56 AM
16th century Venetian lawyer/bibliophile Odorico Pillone shelved his books spine-inward and commissioned Cesare Vecellio (Titian’s nephew) to paint their fore-edges with colourful images suggesting their subject matter. Here’s how they looked on the shelf news.yale.edu/2019/03/14/p...
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Dazzle Ships in Drydock, Liverpool, 1919, painting by Edward Wadsworth. Dazzle camouflage was created in WW1 to protect British ships from German artillery, making it difficult to estimate speed and direction. Wadsworth supervised design of camouflage patterns. #NorthernArt
December 8, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Dazzle Ships in Drydock, Liverpool, 1919, painting by Edward Wadsworth. Dazzle camouflage was created in WW1 to protect British ships from German artillery, making it difficult to estimate speed and direction. Wadsworth supervised design of camouflage patterns. #NorthernArt
Reposted by Brain Simpson
OTD d 1560 15-yr-old Francis II, hubby of Mary Q of Scots.
During short reign an attempt to kidnap him (the Conspiration of Amboise) by Huguenots. Rumors spread w/many executed. Death fm ear infection led to accession of younger bro Chas9 (totally incompetent) & beginning of decades of rel wars.
During short reign an attempt to kidnap him (the Conspiration of Amboise) by Huguenots. Rumors spread w/many executed. Death fm ear infection led to accession of younger bro Chas9 (totally incompetent) & beginning of decades of rel wars.
December 5, 2025 at 12:06 PM
OTD d 1560 15-yr-old Francis II, hubby of Mary Q of Scots.
During short reign an attempt to kidnap him (the Conspiration of Amboise) by Huguenots. Rumors spread w/many executed. Death fm ear infection led to accession of younger bro Chas9 (totally incompetent) & beginning of decades of rel wars.
During short reign an attempt to kidnap him (the Conspiration of Amboise) by Huguenots. Rumors spread w/many executed. Death fm ear infection led to accession of younger bro Chas9 (totally incompetent) & beginning of decades of rel wars.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Henry's penchant for lampreys and his subsequent death led to a civil war known as The Anarchy, which lasted for almost 2 decades, where England nearly saw its first Queen Regnant, over 400 years before Mary I: justhistoryposts.com/2017/06/19/t... #medieval #history
December 1, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Henry's penchant for lampreys and his subsequent death led to a civil war known as The Anarchy, which lasted for almost 2 decades, where England nearly saw its first Queen Regnant, over 400 years before Mary I: justhistoryposts.com/2017/06/19/t... #medieval #history
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Did you know the Syon Abbey Collection has the longest date range of any of our collections? Items date from the early 15th century to the 21st century!
This book of hours dates to c 1430s and includes a prayer for Syon Abbey's founder, Henry V.
📷 EUL MS 262/2
#ExploreYourArchive #EYAMedieval
This book of hours dates to c 1430s and includes a prayer for Syon Abbey's founder, Henry V.
📷 EUL MS 262/2
#ExploreYourArchive #EYAMedieval
December 1, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Did you know the Syon Abbey Collection has the longest date range of any of our collections? Items date from the early 15th century to the 21st century!
This book of hours dates to c 1430s and includes a prayer for Syon Abbey's founder, Henry V.
📷 EUL MS 262/2
#ExploreYourArchive #EYAMedieval
This book of hours dates to c 1430s and includes a prayer for Syon Abbey's founder, Henry V.
📷 EUL MS 262/2
#ExploreYourArchive #EYAMedieval
Reposted by Brain Simpson
OTD d 511 Clovis, King of the Franks. Wife Clothild kept trying to convert him tho he blamed her faith for death of 1st son. In battle against Alamanni 496 he vowed he'd convert in exchange for victory. Baptized at Reims, Frankish amy converted too. Oil of Clovis used in future French coronations.
November 27, 2025 at 11:55 AM
OTD d 511 Clovis, King of the Franks. Wife Clothild kept trying to convert him tho he blamed her faith for death of 1st son. In battle against Alamanni 496 he vowed he'd convert in exchange for victory. Baptized at Reims, Frankish amy converted too. Oil of Clovis used in future French coronations.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
#OTD 1696, a bill was passed that would result in the execution of Sir John Fenwick for treason.
Dr Paul Seaward explores the reasonings behind his beheading and how a bill of attainder sentenced Fenwick to death without the provision of two witnesses:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/25/t...
Dr Paul Seaward explores the reasonings behind his beheading and how a bill of attainder sentenced Fenwick to death without the provision of two witnesses:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/25/t...
The passing of the bill of attainder against the Jacobite Sir John Fenwick - The History of Parliament
after a bitter series of debates, finally passed a bill that would result in the execution of the Northumbrian baronet Sir John Fenwick, for treason
historyofparliament.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:32 AM
#OTD 1696, a bill was passed that would result in the execution of Sir John Fenwick for treason.
Dr Paul Seaward explores the reasonings behind his beheading and how a bill of attainder sentenced Fenwick to death without the provision of two witnesses:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/25/t...
Dr Paul Seaward explores the reasonings behind his beheading and how a bill of attainder sentenced Fenwick to death without the provision of two witnesses:
historyofparliament.com/2025/11/25/t...
Reposted by Brain Simpson
#StaircaseSaturday
Breathtakingly lovely.
The Palladian 'Tulip Staircase' in Inigo Jones' Queen's House in Greenwich - the first unsupported spiral stair in Britain.
Commissioned c.1616 by Anne of Denmark, Queen to James I.
Completed c.1635 for Henrietta Maria, Queen to Charles I.
Breathtakingly lovely.
The Palladian 'Tulip Staircase' in Inigo Jones' Queen's House in Greenwich - the first unsupported spiral stair in Britain.
Commissioned c.1616 by Anne of Denmark, Queen to James I.
Completed c.1635 for Henrietta Maria, Queen to Charles I.
November 23, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Brain Simpson
A long lost Tudor Palace, very few traces of it remain. On the foreshore a few timbers of the old Tudor/Stuart jetty, also a gatehouse off Richmond Green. Thought to be Elizabeth I’s favourite palace & where she died on March 24 1603. We have only Wyngaerde’s sketches to show us what it looked like
November 21, 2025 at 11:04 AM
A long lost Tudor Palace, very few traces of it remain. On the foreshore a few timbers of the old Tudor/Stuart jetty, also a gatehouse off Richmond Green. Thought to be Elizabeth I’s favourite palace & where she died on March 24 1603. We have only Wyngaerde’s sketches to show us what it looked like
Reposted by Brain Simpson
A very good boy! 🐾🐕😍
An amazing c. 3,400 year-old ancient Egyptian dog carved from ivory. This leaping dog opens and closes its mouth as if barking by using a lever below its chest.
The Met 📷 by me
#Archaeology
An amazing c. 3,400 year-old ancient Egyptian dog carved from ivory. This leaping dog opens and closes its mouth as if barking by using a lever below its chest.
The Met 📷 by me
#Archaeology
November 22, 2025 at 9:37 AM
A very good boy! 🐾🐕😍
An amazing c. 3,400 year-old ancient Egyptian dog carved from ivory. This leaping dog opens and closes its mouth as if barking by using a lever below its chest.
The Met 📷 by me
#Archaeology
An amazing c. 3,400 year-old ancient Egyptian dog carved from ivory. This leaping dog opens and closes its mouth as if barking by using a lever below its chest.
The Met 📷 by me
#Archaeology
Reposted by Brain Simpson
Cutaneous horns are made of keratin but the exact cause of them is not known. They are believed to be linked to radiation as there are more cases reported on areas exposed to sunlight. This one was moved from a gentleman's scalp.
November 21, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Cutaneous horns are made of keratin but the exact cause of them is not known. They are believed to be linked to radiation as there are more cases reported on areas exposed to sunlight. This one was moved from a gentleman's scalp.
Reposted by Brain Simpson
OTD 1471 b Richard Neville "the Kingmaker," the most powerful peer in England during the Wars of the Roses. Helped make Yorkist Edward IV king in 1461 but got upset w/Woodville marriage & not enough power. In 1471 rebelled, allied with Marg of Anjou to put Henry VI back on throne. Bad move (d 1471).
November 21, 2025 at 11:15 AM
OTD 1471 b Richard Neville "the Kingmaker," the most powerful peer in England during the Wars of the Roses. Helped make Yorkist Edward IV king in 1461 but got upset w/Woodville marriage & not enough power. In 1471 rebelled, allied with Marg of Anjou to put Henry VI back on throne. Bad move (d 1471).