@socmedarch.bsky.social
Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire was founded #OnThisDay in 1132. View of the Abbey showing the River Skell, Tower and Chapel of Altars. (Image: WyrdLight.com via Wiki Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).
December 27, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire was founded #OnThisDay in 1132. View of the Abbey showing the River Skell, Tower and Chapel of Altars. (Image: WyrdLight.com via Wiki Commons CC BY-SA 4.0).
Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings to all our friends, colleagues & followers! Here is a festive early Nativity scene on the Norman font at St. Martin's Church, Fincham, Norfolk. The panels depict Joseph, Mary with baby Jesus, & a donkey & ox above a manger (Evelyn Simak via Geograph CC BY-SA 2.0).
December 25, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Merry Christmas & Seasons Greetings to all our friends, colleagues & followers! Here is a festive early Nativity scene on the Norman font at St. Martin's Church, Fincham, Norfolk. The panels depict Joseph, Mary with baby Jesus, & a donkey & ox above a manger (Evelyn Simak via Geograph CC BY-SA 2.0).
The reign of Stephen begins #OnThisDay in 1135. Pictured is a miniature of Stephen from Matthew Paris's Historia Anglorum. (Image: British Library Royal MS 14 C Vii).
December 22, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The reign of Stephen begins #OnThisDay in 1135. Pictured is a miniature of Stephen from Matthew Paris's Historia Anglorum. (Image: British Library Royal MS 14 C Vii).
The Lenborough Hoard was discovered #OnThisDay in 2014. It is believed to be one of the largest hoards of Anglo-Saxon coins found in Britain, containing over 5000 silver coins dating to the 11th century. (Image: © Trustees of The British Museum).
December 21, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The Lenborough Hoard was discovered #OnThisDay in 2014. It is believed to be one of the largest hoards of Anglo-Saxon coins found in Britain, containing over 5000 silver coins dating to the 11th century. (Image: © Trustees of The British Museum).
Pottery news! The Wiltshire post-Roman pottery type series project nears completion. More details here: tinyurl.com/socmedarch44 (Image: Harvey Hills).
December 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Pottery news! The Wiltshire post-Roman pottery type series project nears completion. More details here: tinyurl.com/socmedarch44 (Image: Harvey Hills).
Richard the Lionheart was captured near Vienna by Leopold of Austria #OnThisDay in 1192 on his way home from the Third Crusade. He remained Leopold's prisoner for 2 years. Pictured are the ruins of Dürnstein Castle where Richard was first kept prisoner. (Image: Airin, Wiki Commons CC BY-SA 1.0).
December 20, 2025 at 9:15 AM
Richard the Lionheart was captured near Vienna by Leopold of Austria #OnThisDay in 1192 on his way home from the Third Crusade. He remained Leopold's prisoner for 2 years. Pictured are the ruins of Dürnstein Castle where Richard was first kept prisoner. (Image: Airin, Wiki Commons CC BY-SA 1.0).
The reign of Henry II begins #OnThisDay in 1154. Henry is pictured here in a rare contemporary image from the Topographica Hiberniae by Gerald of Wales. (Image: British Library Royal_MS_13_b_viii).
December 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
The reign of Henry II begins #OnThisDay in 1154. Henry is pictured here in a rare contemporary image from the Topographica Hiberniae by Gerald of Wales. (Image: British Library Royal_MS_13_b_viii).
Stuck for present ideas? How about 2 shiny new #medieval publications?
- The Bamburgh Bowl Hole Anglian-period Cemetery: A bioarchaeological study of a Northumbrian royal site by Sam Lucy, Charlotte A. Roberts and Graeme Young
- The Bamburgh Bowl Hole Anglian-period Cemetery: A bioarchaeological study of a Northumbrian royal site by Sam Lucy, Charlotte A. Roberts and Graeme Young
December 17, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Stuck for present ideas? How about 2 shiny new #medieval publications?
- The Bamburgh Bowl Hole Anglian-period Cemetery: A bioarchaeological study of a Northumbrian royal site by Sam Lucy, Charlotte A. Roberts and Graeme Young
- The Bamburgh Bowl Hole Anglian-period Cemetery: A bioarchaeological study of a Northumbrian royal site by Sam Lucy, Charlotte A. Roberts and Graeme Young
#OnThisDay in 1431 Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre-Dame de Paris, aged just seven years old. He is the only English monarch to wear both crowns. Pictured is a mid-15th century depiction of his coronation as Henry II of France (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
December 16, 2025 at 11:30 AM
#OnThisDay in 1431 Henry VI of England is crowned King of France at Notre-Dame de Paris, aged just seven years old. He is the only English monarch to wear both crowns. Pictured is a mid-15th century depiction of his coronation as Henry II of France (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
The Battle of Annan took place #OnThisDay in 1332. Forces of the Bruce loyalists mounted a surprise attack on Edward Balliol, who had seized the Scottish crown a few months prior. It was a decisive victory for the Bruce loyalists. Image: Edward Balliol's seal (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
December 16, 2025 at 9:00 AM
The Battle of Annan took place #OnThisDay in 1332. Forces of the Bruce loyalists mounted a surprise attack on Edward Balliol, who had seized the Scottish crown a few months prior. It was a decisive victory for the Bruce loyalists. Image: Edward Balliol's seal (Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
#OnThisDay in 1488 Bartolomeu Dias returns to Portugal after becoming 1st known European to sail round the Cape of Good Hope. Statue of Dias outside the High Commission of South Africa in London (Image: Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0).
December 15, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OnThisDay in 1488 Bartolomeu Dias returns to Portugal after becoming 1st known European to sail round the Cape of Good Hope. Statue of Dias outside the High Commission of South Africa in London (Image: Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0).
#OnThisDay in 1542, Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland. She was just 6 days old, making her one of the youngest monarchs in history. Portrait of Mary as a 17 year old by François Clouet (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
December 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OnThisDay in 1542, Mary Stuart became Queen of Scotland. She was just 6 days old, making her one of the youngest monarchs in history. Portrait of Mary as a 17 year old by François Clouet (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
#OnThisDay in 1266, the rebels surrendered to Henry III at Kenilworth Castle, ending the largest and longest siege ever to have taken place in England. (© Derek Billings via Geograph CC BY-SA 2.0).
December 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
#OnThisDay in 1266, the rebels surrendered to Henry III at Kenilworth Castle, ending the largest and longest siege ever to have taken place in England. (© Derek Billings via Geograph CC BY-SA 2.0).
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last) died #OnThisDay in 1282. He was one of the last native and independent rulers of Wales before its conquest by Edward I. Llywelyn is pictured here seated to the viewers's right of Edward I (Image: public domain via Wiki Commons CC BY SA 4.0).
December 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (Llywelyn the Last) died #OnThisDay in 1282. He was one of the last native and independent rulers of Wales before its conquest by Edward I. Llywelyn is pictured here seated to the viewers's right of Edward I (Image: public domain via Wiki Commons CC BY SA 4.0).
Following our AGM last week, we would like to welcome three new Ordinary Members to the SMA Council: Dr Marianne Hem Eriksen (University of Leicester), Dr Nick Holder (English Heritage) and Dr Adrián Maldonado (National Museums Scotland).
December 10, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Following our AGM last week, we would like to welcome three new Ordinary Members to the SMA Council: Dr Marianne Hem Eriksen (University of Leicester), Dr Nick Holder (English Heritage) and Dr Adrián Maldonado (National Museums Scotland).
We're concluding our #Take5 Vikings in the British Isles series with a look at five Viking Age sites on the Isle of Man. The island has a long Viking history, conquered and settled as it was by 820.
Clockwise from top left: Cronk ny Merriu; The Braaid; Peel Castle; Balladoole; and Kirk Michael.
Clockwise from top left: Cronk ny Merriu; The Braaid; Peel Castle; Balladoole; and Kirk Michael.
December 6, 2025 at 9:01 AM
We're concluding our #Take5 Vikings in the British Isles series with a look at five Viking Age sites on the Isle of Man. The island has a long Viking history, conquered and settled as it was by 820.
Clockwise from top left: Cronk ny Merriu; The Braaid; Peel Castle; Balladoole; and Kirk Michael.
Clockwise from top left: Cronk ny Merriu; The Braaid; Peel Castle; Balladoole; and Kirk Michael.
Charlemagne becomes sole King of the Franks #OnThisDay in 771, following the death of co-ruler Carloman I. Pictured is a silver denier of Charlemagne minted in Mainz in the collections of the Cabinet de Médalles in Paris. (Image: PHGCOM via Wiki Commons).
December 5, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Charlemagne becomes sole King of the Franks #OnThisDay in 771, following the death of co-ruler Carloman I. Pictured is a silver denier of Charlemagne minted in Mainz in the collections of the Cabinet de Médalles in Paris. (Image: PHGCOM via Wiki Commons).
Voting for the Current Archaeology Awards 2025 is now open & there are a couple of medieval nominees in there, including our very own Editor Duncan Wright, outgoing President Oliver Creighton, and Vice President Julian Richards. View the nominations & vote for your faves here: archaeology.co.uk/vote
Archaeology Awards Voting - Current Archaeology
Voting has now opened for the Current Archaeology Awards! Which people, projects and publications deserve recognition?
archaeology.co.uk
December 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
Voting for the Current Archaeology Awards 2025 is now open & there are a couple of medieval nominees in there, including our very own Editor Duncan Wright, outgoing President Oliver Creighton, and Vice President Julian Richards. View the nominations & vote for your faves here: archaeology.co.uk/vote
The Treaty of Paris was signed #OnThisDay in 1259, by Louis IX of France and Henry III of England. It established peace after decades of conflict between the two countries, albeit it temporarily. (Archives Nationales (France), Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
December 4, 2025 at 12:00 PM
The Treaty of Paris was signed #OnThisDay in 1259, by Louis IX of France and Henry III of England. It established peace after decades of conflict between the two countries, albeit it temporarily. (Archives Nationales (France), Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
Adrian IV was elected Pope #OnThisDay in 1154. Adrian (formerly Nicholas Breakspear) was born in Hertfordshire and is the only Englishman to have been Pope. He is depicted here as Pope in the 12th century Chronicle of Casauria (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
December 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Adrian IV was elected Pope #OnThisDay in 1154. Adrian (formerly Nicholas Breakspear) was born in Hertfordshire and is the only Englishman to have been Pope. He is depicted here as Pope in the 12th century Chronicle of Casauria (Image: Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons).
This week we held our Annual General Meeting, followed by the Winter Symposium. It was a great opportunity to catch up on Society activities over the past 12 months. A big thank you to Steve Rippon, Sam Leggett & Rebecca Boyd, & their project colleagues, for taking the time to speak to our Members.
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This week we held our Annual General Meeting, followed by the Winter Symposium. It was a great opportunity to catch up on Society activities over the past 12 months. A big thank you to Steve Rippon, Sam Leggett & Rebecca Boyd, & their project colleagues, for taking the time to speak to our Members.
Here are two recent medieval news stories you might have missed! First, a lost medieval hall at the House of Parliament: tinyurl.com/socmedarch42 . Then medieval spears pulled from a Polish lake: tinyurl.com/socmedarch43 (Image of diver recovering spear, credit: Marcin Trzciński) #medieval
December 3, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Here are two recent medieval news stories you might have missed! First, a lost medieval hall at the House of Parliament: tinyurl.com/socmedarch42 . Then medieval spears pulled from a Polish lake: tinyurl.com/socmedarch43 (Image of diver recovering spear, credit: Marcin Trzciński) #medieval
The university of Leipzig opened #OnThisDay in 1409. One of the oldest universities in the world, it has been involved in teaching and research for over 615 years without interruption, even during the Second World War. Image: portrait of Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, who founded the university.
December 2, 2025 at 9:30 AM
The university of Leipzig opened #OnThisDay in 1409. One of the oldest universities in the world, it has been involved in teaching and research for over 615 years without interruption, even during the Second World War. Image: portrait of Frederick I, Elector of Saxony, who founded the university.
Henry I died #OnThisDay in 1135. He is said to have become ill after eating too many lampreys against his physician's advice. His heart and intestines were buried at the priory of Notre-Dame-du-Pre, whilst his body was finally buried at Reading Abbey. (Image: ReadingMuseum.org.uk).
December 1, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Henry I died #OnThisDay in 1135. He is said to have become ill after eating too many lampreys against his physician's advice. His heart and intestines were buried at the priory of Notre-Dame-du-Pre, whilst his body was finally buried at Reading Abbey. (Image: ReadingMuseum.org.uk).
Anna Komnene is born #OnThisDay in 1038. Anna was a Byzantine princess, scholar, and historian, best known for her work The Alexiad, chronicling the reign of her father, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos - an important primary source for Byzantine history. Image shows 12th-century manuscript of the Alexiad
December 1, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Anna Komnene is born #OnThisDay in 1038. Anna was a Byzantine princess, scholar, and historian, best known for her work The Alexiad, chronicling the reign of her father, Emperor Alexios I Komnenos - an important primary source for Byzantine history. Image shows 12th-century manuscript of the Alexiad