Kate Ash-Irisarri

I am very much looking forward to seeing this.

Well, this looks fabulous…

Thank you

That’s very kind; thank you! It’s about 30 years ago since I last did ‘art’ of any kind.

Gothic uncial letter A, blue on a red background. The letter is decorated with white circles and the background with gold stars.

And it’s finished. There are now many, many things I need to practise but I’m pretty pleased with this as a first go.

Medieval letter ‘A’ in blue on a red background. The letter is decorated with circles.

Adding some further detail. Lesson of the day: need to practise fine lines with a steady hand.

That’s the definition in my dictionary

I believe they’ll call it ‘benchmarking’

That’s very kind!

Thank you! Haven’t done ‘art’ for getting on for 30 years 😱 I’m so bad at it but it’s lots of fun!

Medieval letter ‘A’ in blue with red background

The letter develops

Outline sketch of a medieval letter ‘A’

Trying my hand at something new. Not to be perfect at it but to enjoy learning and experiencing.

📖Join us on Tue 24 Feb for the next CMRS Seminar by our very own Louise Gardiner:

'Royal Correspondence in Late Fourteenth-Century England: Exploring the ‘Royal Letter Book’ (Edinburgh University Library Ms. 183)'

5:15, Centre for Research Collections (6th floor, Edinburgh University main Library)

¡Enhorabuena!

Excellent and empoweringe educacioun will nevir be "efficient" yn the waye that a businesse doth stryve to be "efficient." It ys the heighte of knavery to use one standarde to measure everye human activitye. Businesses are ther to make profits. Educacioun ys ther to make the future.

Yes! It’s also having the time to do it rather than skimming so many things. I’ve been really grateful for this today.

I have the luxury of sitting and reading Wyntoun today. I’m noticing his seeming preoccupation with heresy in ways that haven’t caught my attention before. So lovely to have the time to notice new things when re-reading.

HistoryLab 20th Anniversary Annual Conference 2026 — Call for Papers Embodied Histories: Body, Mind, and Experience 17th July 2026 | Hybrid Conference, in-person at University of Birmingham, Staff House, Grand Central Room The human body is both a biological reality and a cultural construct. It is a site of meaning, experience, and power. From rituals of health and healing to practices of regulation, discipline, and display, bodies have both shaped and been shaped by their historical contexts. We invite papers that place the body and lived experience at the centre of historical inquiry, engaging with themes such as medicine, disability, gender, the senses, and the emotions. We welcome contributions that explore how bodies and experiences have been represented, regulated, or performed, and how these processes intersect with broader questions of identity, power, culture, and society across periods and regions. This conference also marks the 20th anniversary of HistoryLab. Since its founding, HistoryLab has provided a national platform for postgraduate and early career historians to share ideas, foster collaboration, and build community. We invite participants to join us in celebrating this milestone year.

Our conference #cfp is now live! This year's conference, "Embodied Histories: Body, Mind and Experience" will take place on 17th July 2026 at University of Birmingham!

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This is my weekend mum-taxi listening. Very much looking forward to it!

Colourful background with the words ‘I’ve been nominated for a Teaching Award’

Well, this was a lovely thing to receive on a dreich day

Bundt cake decorated with icing sugar

I’ve made a bundt cake for tomorrow’s Middle English Reading Group. I’m sure Sir Gawain would approve

I would love to listen via the online link, but I appear not to be able to message you currently.

Thank you so much for inviting me & for all the wonderful conversations afterwards @kateai.bsky.social & @cmrsedinburgh.bsky.social ✨

This sounds amazing!

Huge thanks to @hdohertyharrison.bsky.social who gave a great paper on the ‘Histories and Futures of Judas, c.100-c.1500’ to kick off semester 2’s research seminars @cmrsedinburgh.bsky.social

I remain in a state of blissful ignorance. Inadvertently catching the last 10 minutes of the Celebrity one a few weeks back did nothing to make me want to see more.

🙋‍♀️📚

Congratulations!

Amazing!

I’m loving the creativity!