I see spies everywhere now - occupational hazard from this project - and it's a bird, which has clear links to espionage, often ecclesiastical which might be relevant here. It's a unusual bird though for espionage...who knows!? The ms is on my radar to investigate, just not got very far yet

And what is your take on what the bird is doing? I know, weird question but I’m genuinely wondering about how some of this evidence look to people working on other topics to myself.

Wow, amazing!

Tutorial Fellowship in History, and Associate Professorship (or Professorship) of Medieval British and European History at University of Oxford Explore an exciting academic career as a Tutorial Fellowship in History, and Associate Professorship (or Professorship) of Medieval British and European History. Don't miss out on other academic jobs....

We are hiring ....
Because John Nightingale is retiring...
for a Tutorial Fellowship in European History 400-1000...

www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQP650/t...

This has been a slog but I’m pleased to day that I’m currently checking the proofs, which means this book will soon be out in the wild!

Thoroughly enjoying reading @gzornetta.bsky.social article on abbot Poto of San Vincenzo al Volturno and his 'infidelitas' to Charlemagne this morning.

Vincent Kompany finds clear words on Mourinho, racism in football, mentioning Hungary, Serbia...ww.sportschau.de/fussball/bundesliga/kompany-kritisiert-mourinho-koennen-wir-nicht-akzeptieren,video-bundesliga-pk-kompany-clip-rassismus-100.html

NEW: This - on the signalling system that crossed Anatolia from Loulon to Constantinople -by @chrysoboullon.bsky.social is v cool. A 'trip wire' to alert Constantinople to the start of the Abbasid campaigning season. Tantalising hints that it 'employs knowledge of the longitudinal circumference... 👇

Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a Lecturer in Ancient History and Classics to join our dynamic team within the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Autumn 2026. As Lecturer in Ancient History and Classics, you will contribute to the teaching of ancient Greco-Roman history and Classics in the School of Historical Studies - this includes our BA Ancient History and Archaeology, BA Classics, BA Classical Studies, as well as MA Classical Civilisation and MA Classics. This post is offered on a permanent contract at Birkbeck, full time, 35 hours per week, with a salary of £44,247 rising to £60,858 per year. Teaching hours will vary from 6-9pm Monday to Friday. To be successful, you will bring research expertise in ancient Greek history, broadly understood (this could include the history of Greek-speaking lands under the Roman empire), as well as ancient Greek literature, and demonstrate a capacity to contribute to interdisciplinary research and teaching, participate actively in curriculum development, supervise doctoral students, and help shape the intellectual life of our vibrant academic community. We would also welcome applicants who could contribute to collaborative teaching programmes or research in the Faculty, in areas such as identity, race/ethnicity, or gender - experience of collaboration with cultural institutions, whether through research or teaching, is also welcome. The postholder could potentially take advantage of Birkbeck’s new Immersive Learning Centre for teaching or research. As Lecturer, your core responsibilities will initially include programme/module administration, teaching, supervision, assessment, student support and pastoral care. You will also be equipped to supervise doctoral students. With a PhD in any area of Ancient History/Classics relating to the ancient Greek world,...

We're hiring at Birkbeck!

Lecturer in Ancient History and Classics, full-time and open-ended. Closing date March 18th.

Details here: cis7.bbk.ac.uk/vacancy/lect...

This is wonderful:

Sex and snacks, but no seat at the table: the role of women in Epstein’s sordid men’s club Files reveal a world of flattery and fratboy tones, where rich men are cultivated and women provide services

'The Epstein files reveal a patriarchy in action. This is a world where the men are rich and powerful, and the women are not. The emails showcase the private behaviour of a male ruling class, as they network, joke and trade information.'

Students unearth remains in possible execution pit on training dig The discovery was made at Wandlebury Country Park near Cambridge

It looks like Wandlebury Hill near Cambridge might have been used as an execution site in the ninth century #medievalsky

www.independent.co.uk/news/science...

Wow, super exciting!! 🤩

The Rise of Christian Kingship in the Early Medieval West Abstract. This book investigates how Christianity changed politics and how politics changed Christianity over the course of the early Middle Ages. Early Ch

Looking forward to reading this new book by Conor O'Brien.
academic.oup.com/book/61836?l...

Papyrus Economies and the Experience of Early Medieval Papal Documents* Abstract. The medium of papyrus, a ubiquitous, state-sponsored product in the Roman world, was turned by the empire’s loss of Egypt in the 630s–640s into a

"The problem of the lack of papyrus [after c.1000] forced a receptiveness to new forms of papal government which the high medieval 'reformers' were able to move into and exploit from about 1050"... Absolutely enthralling new article by @cjg70.bsky.social and Ben Savill (Open Access). #medievalsky

my dad didn’t go to university and he was extremely happy to pay taxes for his four children to do so; and, indeed, for the doctors who treated him at Addenbrookes to have gone to university as well.

https://bsr.ac.uk/awards-residencies-humanities/bsr-early-medieval-europe-fellowship/

Final call for the @bsrome.bsky.social and Early Medieval Europe early career fellowship, for a month's stay in Rome plus some travel costs to get there. Deadline tomorrow.
bsr.ac.uk/awards-resid...

@webstermedieval.bsky.social @kbneal.bsky.social I know you would appreciate this effort by my OH this evening. Absolutely gorgeously yummy 😋

Finalising my article on King John's spies is going "really well". Today i have been researching King John's son, Oliver fitzRoy, as well as instructions for horrible things John's officials might do to hostages, neither of which have anything to do with espionage 🤔😬

Thanks Matt, that's really useful. It's such curious specificity in this treaty, rarely seen in others.

Thanks Matt. The text says 'at least 10k'. It could simply mean 'a lot' but it would be strange in a document that is a legal contract. It's with the Genoese, who likely would have counted every single one!

I have a treaty which sets out that the count of Toulouse will bring an army of at least 500 knights and 10,000 foot soldiers. Is it just me or does this seem very large? 🤔

An opportunity to listen to my great colleague Martin Wright talk about what is a fascinating book. If you have not read it, I fully recommend. 👍

One of the best things I’ve read in a while:

Manuscript of al-Nuwayrī’s Nihāyat al-arab fī funūn al-adab, volume 7, Aleppo 738/1337, today Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin - Preußischer Kulturbesitz, Ms Wetzstein II 1, fol. 2r, URL: https://www.qalamos.net/receive/DE1Book_manuscript_00022427

AotW: Theresa Jäckh, 827: al-Nuwayrī on the Beginning of the Muslim Conquest of Sicily, in: TMH 3.1 (2021), DOI: doi.org/10.18148/tmh....

*We are looking for authors: ojs.ub.uni-konstanz.de/transmed/ind... !*

#medievalists #medievalsky

If you're living somewhere outside the USA, one thing you can do is pressure your leaders to boycott World Cup and Olympic events here.

Beautiful afternoon on The Broads

Thanks Kenneth. I'm actually planning on sending you something else next week, which sounds like a threat 😱😝 It's the finished version of article on King John's intelligence networks. I'd be super interested in hearing your thoughts.

Thanks Paul. I'm going to celebrate with a card game with friends tonight!

That moment when you put all the parts of a book MS together and realise that the word count is waaaayyyy out, because apparently you have forgotten to include every chapter that should be there 🙄 On bright note, peacemaking sourcebook is now finally finished. 😀 🎉🎊